Karate Association of Bengal President Hanshi Premjit Sen hails India's Commonwealth Games campaign
Kolkata, August 3
Karate Association of Bengal President Hanshi Premjit Sen hailed India's strong performance at the Commonwealth Games, saying the country's sporting success reflects sustained support for athletes across disciplines.
Congratulating Asmita Dey on her gold medal, he said India's achievements on the international stage are a testament to the progress being made in Indian sports.
India wrapped up a memorable Commonwealth Games 2026 campaign by finishing fourth in the overall medal standings with 39 medals.
While, Dey clinched the women's 48kg judo gold medal, defeating Canada's Heidi Quach in a thrilling golden score contest at the Commonwealth Games.
"The way India is shining in sports today is because, under the leadership of our Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Sports Ministry and the government are supporting athletes across all games. Whether it is cricket, football, athletics, volleyball, or any other sport, India is performing well. Last month, in Indonesia, at the Asian Cadet Championship, India won a gold medal for the first time, and it was won by a girl athlete. This proves that Indian athletes are doing exceptionally well. Also, our grand salute to Asmita for winning the gold medal at the Commonwealth Games," Sen told ANI.
India concluded the Glasgow Games with 13 gold, 17 silver and nine bronze medals from a 122-member contingent, matching the fourth-place finish achieved in Birmingham four years ago despite competing in a significantly trimmed programme that excluded several sports in which the country traditionally wins medals.
Although India's tally was lower than the 61 medals won in Birmingham in 2022, the context tells a different story. Thirty of those medals had come in sports that were dropped from the Glasgow programme.
With only 122 athletes compared to 210 four years ago, India still managed to maintain its fourth-place finish while producing an even better medal conversion rate, with 38 athletes returning home with medals. Long-distance runner Gulveer Singh was the only Indian to win two medals.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Congratulations to Asmita Dey! 🥋🥇 What a proud moment for Bengal and India. The golden score win over Canada's Heidi Quach must have been nerve-wracking. Also, great to see the Asian Cadet Championship gold in Indonesia by a girl athlete last month. Our women athletes are truly leading the charge. Jai Hind! 🇮🇳
It's nice to see India's progress in sports, but I have to point out that the comparison with Birmingham is misleading. 39 medals versus 61 is a big drop. The fact that 30 medals came from dropped sports means the "fourth place" is not as impressive as it looks. However, credit to Asmita Dey for her gold; that was a genuine achievement.
Finally, someone acknowledging the PM's role in sports development! 🏅 Be it Khelo India or increased funding for athletes, the difference is visible. The medal conversion rate this time was excellent—38 athletes out of 122 came back with medals. That's nearly one in three. Compare that to previous years, and you'll see the improvement. Kudos to all our athletes! 💪
The article rightly points out the context—being fourth with a significantly smaller contingent is commendable. Gulveer Singh winning two medals in long-distance running is a standout. But I wish the focus was more on the athletes and their hard work, rather than making it a political statement. Hanshi Premjit Sen's comments, while positive, seem a bit too eager to credit the government. Let the outcomes speak for themselves.
S We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.