Sports Minister Mandaviya Felicitates CWG 2026 Medallists, Urges Athletes To Mentor Future Champions
Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya on Tuesday felicitated Indian medallists from the Commonwealth Games 2026, praising their historic performances in boxing, judo and para-athletics and urging them to inspire and mentor the next generation of sportspersons.
Addressing the athletes at a felicitation ceremony in New Delhi, Mandaviya said India’s sporting success should extend beyond winning medals, encouraging athletes to contribute to the country’s sporting ecosystem by establishing academies and nurturing young talent after their competitive careers.
The event honoured members of India’s boxing contingent, which finished at the top of the boxing medal table with an impressive haul of 10 medals, including seven gold and three silver. The Minister also felicitated the Indian judo team, which recorded the country’s best-ever Commonwealth Games performance in the discipline with four medals, including two historic gold medals, as well as the para-athletics contingent for its landmark achievements in Glasgow.
The medal winners received cash rewards of ₹30 lakh for gold, ₹20 lakh for silver and ₹10 lakh for bronze.
Congratulating the athletes, Mandaviya urged them to think beyond securing medals or government jobs and instead play a long-term role in strengthening Indian sports.
He said the recently expanded Khelo India Scheme, backed by an investment of ₹36,000 crore, would ensure sustained growth of Indian sports and create greater opportunities for future generations. He encouraged the athletes to establish sports academies after retirement and dedicate themselves to developing young talent.
The Minister stressed that every athlete’s mission should be “India First” and said the government’s enhanced investment in sports infrastructure and athlete development would help the country achieve greater success in international competitions.
Looking ahead to the Asian Games 2026, Mandaviya urged the athletes to build on the confidence gained from their Commonwealth Games performances.
He called upon silver and bronze medallists to strive for gold at the continental event while encouraging gold medallists to maintain their high standards of excellence.
The Sports Minister also highlighted the crucial role played by coaches in an athlete’s journey, urging sportspersons to always acknowledge their guidance and dedication.
India’s boxing team delivered one of its finest-ever Commonwealth Games performances by winning seven gold and three silver medals. The gold medals were won by Preeti Pawar (54kg), Jaismine Lamboria (57kg), Sakshi Chaudhary (51kg), Priya Ghanghas (60kg), Arundhati Choudhary (70kg), Sachin Siwach (60kg) and Ankush Panghal (80kg). The silver medals were claimed by Jadumani Singh (55kg), Olympic medallist Lovlina Borgohain (75kg) and Narender Berwal (90+kg).
The seven gold medals also marked the best-ever performance by Indian women boxers at the Commonwealth Games.
Indian judo created history by securing four medals—two gold, one silver and one bronze – surpassing its previous best performance at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, when it had won three medals without a gold. Khelo India athletes Asmita Dey and Harsh Singh became India’s first-ever Commonwealth Games gold medallists in judo, with Asmita emerging as the first Indian woman and Harsh the first Indian man to win gold in the sport at the Games.
The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports noted that medal-winning athletes across disciplines benefited from government support through flagship programmes such as Khelo India, the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), the Annual Calendar for Training and Competition (ACTC), training at Sports Authority of India National Centres of Excellence (NCOEs), international exposure, specialised equipment and coaching support.
Mandaviya said the government’s continued investment in sports infrastructure, athlete training and grassroots development would help India build on its recent achievements and emerge as a stronger sporting nation in the years to come.
