New Delhi: Union Sports Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya on Tuesday urged India’s Commonwealth Games medallists to look beyond their competitive careers and contribute to the country’s sporting future by mentoring young athletes and establishing sports academies after retirement.
Felicitating medal winners from boxing, judo and para-athletics after their return from the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow, the minister said athletes should not view medals merely as a means to secure government jobs. Instead, he said they should focus on strengthening Indian sport by nurturing the next generation of talent.
He said the Centre’s expanded Khelo India programme, backed by an investment of Rs 36,000 crore, would ensure sustained support for sports development across the country.
The minister encouraged athletes to use the initiative to develop grassroots talent and build a stronger sporting ecosystem, according to an official statement.
Looking ahead to the 2026 Asian Games, Dr. Mandaviya urged the athletes to carry forward the confidence gained in Glasgow. He said gold medallists should maintain their high standards, while silver and bronze winners should strive to climb to the top of the podium.
The Union minister also stressed the importance of coaches in shaping successful careers, saying athletes should always acknowledge the dedication and guidance of their mentors.
During the felicitation ceremony, Dr. Mandaviya honoured India’s boxing contingent, which topped the boxing medal tally with 10 medals, including seven gold and three silver.
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). Jadumani Singh (55kg), Olympic medallist Lovlina Borgohain (75kg) and Narender Berwal (90+kg) won silver medals. The seven gold medals also marked the best-ever Commonwealth Games performance by Indian women boxers.
The minister also felicitated the Indian judo contingent after it registered the country’s best-ever Commonwealth Games campaign in the sport. India won four medals from 12 events, including two historic gold medals, improving on its three-medal haul at the 2022 Games.
Khelo India athletes Asmita Dey and Harsh Singh created history by becoming India’s first Commonwealth Games gold medallists in judo. Asmita became the first Indian woman judoka to win a Commonwealth Games gold medal, while Harsh became the first Indian male judoka to achieve the feat.
The para-athletics contingent was also felicitated for its outstanding performances in Glasgow, which marked a watershed moment for Indian para sport.
The medal winners received cash awards of Rs 30 lakh for gold, Rs 20 lakh for silver and Rs 10 lakh for bronze during the felicitation ceremony.
