Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya on Monday felicitated India’s Commonwealth Games 2026 weightlifting medallists, presenting cash rewards and urging them to inspire the next generation by visiting schools and colleges to promote sports.
Recognising the team’s impressive performance at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, the Minister awarded ₹30 lakh to gold medallists, ₹20 lakh to silver medallists and ₹10 lakh to bronze medallists. Indian weightlifters returned from the Games with a rich haul of eight medals – one gold, six silver and one bronze – after competing in 11 weight categories. The campaign also featured multiple Commonwealth Games and Commonwealth records, along with several personal-best performances by Indian lifters.
Congratulating the athletes, Mandaviya said the entire nation had celebrated their achievements. He noted that every medal won by Indian weightlifters was acknowledged in Parliament, making the country proud.
The Minister also paid tribute to the coaches, including Dronacharya awardee Vijay Sharma, emphasising their crucial role in shaping champions. He described coaches as the most important influence in an athlete’s journey and credited them for nurturing sporting excellence.
Olympic silver medallist Mirabai Chanu scripted history by becoming the first Indian weightlifter to win three consecutive Commonwealth Games gold medals. Rishikanta Singh and Valluri Ajay Babu established new Commonwealth Games records in the snatch event, while lifters such as Gyaneshwari Yadav and Harjinder Kaur recorded personal-best performances during the competition.
Highlighting the impact of India’s sports development programmes, Mandaviya pointed out that six of the 11 weightlifters who represented the country are Khelo India Athletes. He noted that several medallists, including Gyaneshwari Yadav, Bindyarani Devi and Harjinder Kaur, have benefited from training at the Sports Authority of India’s National Centre of Excellence in Patiala, which continues to play a key role in developing elite athletes.
Calling on the athletes to become ambassadors of sports, the Minister encouraged them to visit educational institutions and share their journeys with young people. He said their stories of perseverance and success could motivate thousands of children to pursue sporting excellence and contribute to building a stronger sporting culture in the country.
During the interaction, Mandaviya discussed the athletes’ struggles, training journeys and future aspirations, particularly their preparations for the 2026 Asian Games. The weightlifters spoke about overcoming hardships with the support of national coaching camps, international exposure and scientific training, while reaffirming their commitment to winning more medals for India.
The Minister also encouraged athletes who narrowly missed podium finishes, reminding them that setbacks are part of a sportsperson’s journey and urging them to continue striving for improvement with the support of the nation.
Emphasising the government’s long-term vision for sports, Mandaviya said initiatives such as Khelo India have created a strong pipeline of talent by providing young athletes with world-class coaching, scientific support and competitive opportunities. He added that the government remains committed to providing every possible facility to enable Indian athletes to compete successfully on the global stage.
Meanwhile, Union Minister for Women and Child Development Annapurna Devi praised the outstanding performance of India’s women athletes at the Commonwealth Games, noting that Nari Shakti powered India’s golden campaign by winning eight of the country’s 13 gold medals across boxing, weightlifting, judo and para athletics.
In a post on X, she highlighted that five Indian women boxers clinched gold medals, describing their performances as a reflection of the growing strength and depth of women’s sports in India. She said their courage and achievements are inspiring a new generation of girls to dream big and represent the country with pride. The Minister also credited the progress to the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying India’s daughters are ushering in a new era of sporting excellence.
