"Their success will motivate youngsters": PM Modi hosts India's CWG 2026 medalists
New Delhi, August 9
Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted India's Commonwealth Games 2026 medal winners at his residence on Sunday. PM Modi said that the exceptional performances of the athletes have made the country proud and will motivate youngsters.
PM Modi also posted a video from his interaction with India's CWG 2026 medal winners. The Prime Minister shared a video from the meeting on X with the caption, "Always #Cheer4Bharat." The video featured CWG gold medallist boxer Sakshi Chaudhary alongside other members of India's medal-winning contingent.
"Hello friends! This is Sakshi Chaudhary. Today, our honourable Prime Minister has invited us, the Commonwealth Games medalists, and we feel very proud. We are extremely happy to have met him; he is very humble. Sir, would you like to say something?" Sakshi said in the video.
Responding to her, PM Modi said, "Jo khelega, woh khilega" (The one who plays, will blossom). Always cheer for Bharat."
Now, in another post, the Prime Minister wrote, "Delighted to host our outstanding medal winners from the Commonwealth Games 2026 at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg. Heard about their experiences from the Games. Each one of them has made our nation proud through their exceptional performances. Their success will motivate many youngsters."
India ended its Commonwealth Games campaign in Glasgow with 39 medals, including 13 gold, 17 silver and nine bronze, to finish fourth in the overall medal standings.
The Glasgow Games concluded after 11 days of competition, with Scotland formally handing over the Commonwealth Games flag and ceremonial baton to India, which will host the landmark centenary edition of the multi-sport event in Ahmedabad in 2030.
The flag and baton were handed over to India's representatives, Olympic gold medallist Neeraj Chopra, Indian Olympic Association president PT Usha and Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi during the closing ceremony.
Ahmedabad will become the second Indian city to host the Commonwealth Games after New Delhi staged the event in 2010.
India's fourth-place finish in Glasgow came despite a significantly smaller contingent and a reduced sporting programme compared to Birmingham 2022. India had 122 athletes in Glasgow, compared to 210 in Birmingham, while 30 of the 61 medals won in 2022 had come in sports that were not part of the Glasgow programme.
Despite the reduced opportunities, India maintained its fourth-place position and produced a stronger medal conversion rate, with 38 athletes returning home with medals.
Long-distance runner Gulveer Singh was the only Indian athlete to win two medals at the Games.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Honestly, 39 medals with a smaller contingent is commendable. But I wish we had more participation in other sports. Still, seeing Sakshi Chaudhary and others getting this recognition is heartwarming. These athletes deserve every bit of this spotlight!
Good to see the PM taking time to personally meet the athletes. The 2030 Ahmedabad Games will be a huge opportunity for India. Hope the government invests heavily in grassroots sports development in the next few years.
Great gesture by PM Modi. But we need more than just photo-ops - better training facilities, sports science support, and financial security for athletes at the grassroots level. Let's build on this momentum for 2030! 💪
Seeing our athletes being celebrated like this gives me chills. Sakshi Chaudhary's words were so genuine - "he is very humble." This personal touch from the PM really motivates our sportspersons to push harder. Kudos to the entire contingent! 👏
Fourth place despite a much smaller team - that's efficiency! Gulveer Singh winning two medals is fantastic. The government's focus on sports is clearly paying off. Can't wait for Ahmedabad 2030! 🏅
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