Indian athletes honored by Prime Minister Modi after Commonwealth Games success
Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently interacted with India’s Commonwealth Games champions, commending their medal-winning performances and highlighting their role in inspiring a new generation. The interaction underscored the growing importance of sports in India, a shift from past decades when athletic pursuits often faced systemic challenges.
During the discussion, Prime Minister Modi emphasized that the athletes’ achievements extend beyond individual victories, serving as significant milestones that can motivate future generations. He noted that he has regularly met with athletes over the past decade, attributing their continued success to effectively inspiring children to engage in sports, more so than promotional campaigns.
Transforming India’s Sporting Landscape
The Prime Minister stressed that building a robust sports culture is crucial for a nation to win medals, going beyond just improving sporting infrastructure. This perspective aligns with a broader national effort to prioritize sports, a departure from earlier approaches where sports were often considered an afterthought.
The interaction also brought to light the impact of government initiatives like the Khelo India programme. Athletes shared personal accounts of how this initiative, coupled with support from the Sports Authority of India, has facilitated their career progression. One athlete recounted winning a silver medal at the inaugural Khelo India programme in 2018, which served as a stepping stone to higher levels of competition.
Modi encouraged athletes who have benefited from Khelo India to contribute back to the programme by motivating younger students to participate in sports. He stated that the prestige of Khelo India is not merely built through formal events but through the active participation of young players, embodying the motto: “Jo Khelega, Wo Khilega” (whoever plays, will flourish).
A Decade of Support and Inspiration
The journey of Indian sports has seen a significant transformation since 1934, when India secured a single bronze medal at the then-British Empire Games. Fast forward to the Commonwealth Games, Glasgow, 2026, India’s contingent of 122 athletes competed across ten sports, returning with 39 medals, including 13 gold, 17 silver, and nine bronze. Notably, eight of these gold medals were won by women athletes.
This evolution is attributed to a concerted effort to treat sports as a national priority. Initiatives like the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), launched in 2014, were designed to identify top sporting talent and eliminate financial barriers. TOPS provides comprehensive support, covering foreign coaches, physiotherapists, sparring partners, video analysts, airfare, and medical insurance. For instance, TOPS supported javelin thrower Kishore Jena with 78 days of training in Australia before Paris 2024, and backed PV Sindhu‘s training in Germany and Neeraj Chopra‘s entire athletics setup.
Khelo India, established in 2018, focuses on talent scouting at the school and college levels through annual events like the Khelo India Youth Games and University Games. This scheme channels promising athletes into structured support systems early in their careers. In early 2025, following the National Games in Uttarakhand, the Prime Minister specifically acknowledged several young Khelo India participants, including sprinters, jumpers, and a teenage swimmer, as evidence of the programme’s effectiveness.
The Prime Minister’s personal engagement with athletes has also played a significant role. In August 2021, after the Tokyo Olympics, India’s contingent, which secured its best-ever haul of seven medals, gathered at the Prime Minister’s residence. Athletes presented him with their equipment: Neeraj Chopra with his javelin, PV Sindhu with her badminton racquet, Lovlina Borgohain with her boxing gloves, Bhavani Devi with her fencing sword, and the hockey teams with their autographed sticks. A notable moment occurred when young javelin thrower Navdeep Singh wished to place a cap on Modi’s head, and the Prime Minister sat on the floor to accommodate the athlete. These gestures highlight the respect and humility shown towards athletes.
Back in 2016, Prime Minister Modi personally hosted a send-off for the Rio-bound contingent, a gesture that Abhinav Bindra, India’s only individual Olympic gold medallist, noted was a first for a Prime Minister. This level of engagement has fostered a sense of being seen and valued among athletes, a sentiment that began even before the medal victories.
Athletes also shared personal stories of resilience, including overcoming injuries, family difficulties, and narrow misses at previous international competitions. One athlete recalled missing a medal at the Paris Olympics by 1 kg before achieving success at the Commonwealth Games, describing an emotional response to the national flag and anthem during the medal ceremony. Another athlete dedicated a victory over Pakistan to the Indian Army and the heroes of the Kargil conflict, as the bout coincided with Kargil Vijay Diwas. These stories underscore the profound personal and national significance of their achievements.
India has also expressed its intention to bid for the 2036 Olympic Games and is slated to host the Commonwealth Games again in 2030.
Source: dailypioneer.com
