PM Modi Honours India's CWG 2026 Medallists
Modi hosts Glasgow Commonwealth Games medal winners at his residence, praising a decade of dedication behind India's 39-medal campaign
Synopsis
At his New Delhi residence, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with the Commonwealth Games 2026 Medalists, expressing his admiration for their efforts and defining athletes as a "regular visitor" to his office. India got 39 medals at Glasgow and the 2030 edition is now to be held in Ahmedabad.
AdvertisementA Homecoming at the PM's House
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday interacted with India's Commonwealth Games (CWG) 2026 medal winners at his residence, praising the athletes for their dedication, hard work and contribution towards bringing glory to the nation.
If I had anyone that I’ve been getting for the past 12 or 13 years, it would be the athletes. Over the past 10 to 12 years, you have worked extremely hard, fought for the victory of the country and always built upon the success to achieve new heights and heights, 'Modi' said in a video which he shared on his YouTube channel on Monday.
AdvertisementMementoes from the Champions
The relationship was close, spontaneous, and intimate. In the meet, Modi played a light-hearted game with sports persons such as Sharmila Dhankar and Seema Kaliramna. The PM, talking to women's F57 shot put gold medalist Sharmila Dhankar, recalled her earlier promise that her two daughters would become athletes".
"You promised me last time that your two daughters would become athletes," she replied, "Yes, they are still young". In the next Commonwealth Games, we will show you three medals coming from one home.
Boxer Sakshi Chaudhary, who won gold in his event, shared a video on X from the event, stating that the meeting was with honourable Prime Minister who invited us, the Commonwealth Games medalists, and that they are very humble.
To her he replied, "Jo khelega, woh khilega" (the one who plays, will blossom) and then took the medal winners in a group chanting "Bharat Mata ki Jai" thrice.
AdvertisementThe Glasgow Campaign in Numbers
India concluded its Commonwealth Games campaign in Glasgow with 39 medals – 13 gold, 17 silver and nine bronze – to settle in fourth place in the final medal tally after 11 days of the Games.
Olympic champion Mirabai Chanu, boxer Lovlina Borgohain, whom Modi had praised for protesting against the ‘misuse of the Indian flag' during the Games, were among those present at the felicitation, speaking about their own emotional journeys, while the boxer spoke about her own struggle during the Games.
The Future of Ahmedabad in 2030 Scenario
The Glasgow Games ran to a close with Scotland officially passing the Games' flag and baton to India for the multi-sport event's historic 100th edition in Ahmedabad four years later in 2030, which becomes the second Indian city to host the Games after New Delhi in 2010.
At the closing ceremony, the flag and the baton was handed to the Indian Olympic Association president PT Usha, Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi and Olympic gold medalist Neeraj Chopra.
Reasons the Ritual Matters
However, these meet-ups have become a regular part of Indian sports, whether with the Olympic team, the Chess Olympiad, or anybody else, as it appears the government has made a concerted effort to raise the profile of sport as a career choice for Indians.
In the lead up to Ahmedabad 2030, India's sporting edifice is now on a mission to maintain the Glasgow momentum and create infrastructure for an 'at home' Games.
