"Your medals inspire more than words": PM Modi lauds CWG 2026 medallist
New Delhi, August 10
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday interacted with India's Commonwealth Games 2026 medal winners at his residence and praised the athletes for their dedication, hard work and contribution towards bringing glory to the nation.
During the interaction, PM Modi said athletes have been among the most frequent visitors to his residence and appreciated their consistent efforts over the years to achieve success for India.
"I have been in this house for about 12 to 13 years now. If there is anyone I have received regularly and every single time, it is the athletes. Because of your hard work over the last 10 to 12 years, your constant efforts to bring victory to India, and the tradition of scaling new heights of success," PM Modi said in a video posted on his YouTube handle on Monday.
The Prime Minister highlighted the impact of athletes' achievements in motivating young people to take up sports, saying their medals inspire more than just words.
"The impact we could try to make by going to schools and telling them 'you should play,' your medals inspire them far more than any words ever could," he added.
PM Modi also interacted with individual athletes during the meeting. Speaking to women's shot put F57 gold medallist Sharmila Dhankar, he recalled her earlier promise that her two daughters would also become athletes.
"You promised me last time that your two daughters would become athletes," PM Modi said.
Responding to him, Sharmila said, "Yes, they are still young. In the next Commonwealth Games, we will show you three medals coming from one home."
The Prime Minister also shared a light moment with women's discus throw bronze medallist Seema Kaliramna, who said she was nervous while meeting him.
"My heart is racing, sir," Seema told PM Modi.
"Don't worry. You're going to get a medal for your speech too!" PM Modi replied.
Seema later shared her excitement about meeting the Prime Minister and said her friends often asked her in Haryanvi if she would get an opportunity to meet him.
"My friends used to ask me, in Haryanvi, they'd say, 'Have you met PM Modi that we should listen to you?' Today, I have met you, sir, and now I can tell them, 'Yes, I have met Modi-ji,'" she said.
PM Modi further stressed that building a sports culture was essential for India to achieve greater success at the international level.
"Sports infrastructure is one part of it, but a country wins medals when a 'sports culture' is built. Friends, you have done a great job and brought glory to the nation. I congratulate you all," he said.
Expressing confidence in their future performances, PM Modi said the athletes would continue to achieve success and hoped to meet them again after more victories.
"Believe me, you will be victorious in the future as well, and we will meet here once again. Thank you very much and best wishes," he said.
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.
— ANI
Reader Comments
That moment with Seema ji was so cute! 😄 "You're going to get a medal for your speech too" — what a witty response. It's nice to see athletes getting this kind of recognition and personal attention from the PM.
Good to see the PM appreciating our athletes, but we need more than just motivational talks. Sports infrastructure in smaller towns and rural areas needs serious investment. Our athletes often succeed despite the system, not because of it. Hopefully the 2030 Ahmedabad Games will change this.
The way PM Modi remembers personal conversations with each athlete is remarkable. Sharmila's story about her daughters becoming athletes gives me goosebumps. These women are breaking barriers and representing India on the global stage. Respect to all our CWG heroes!
Seema ji's friends asking her "Have you met PM Modi that we should listen to you?" — that's so desi and relatable! 😂 These interactions show the human side of our leaders and athletes. 13 gold medals is brilliant, and hosting CWG 2030 in Ahmedabad will be a historic moment!
It's impressive to see a PM take such personal interest in athletes. The "sports culture" point is spot on — that's how countries like Australia and the UK built their sporting dominance. India has the talent, and with the right grassroots development, the 2030 Games will be special.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.