Mansukh Mandaviya Felicitates CWG 2026 Medallists, Urges Athletes to Build India’s Sporting Future

New Delhi, Aug 4: Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Tuesday (August 4) felicitated India’s Commonwealth Games 2026 medallists from boxing, judo and para athletics, lauding their historic performances in Glasgow while urging them to look beyond medals and government jobs.

Congratulating the athletes for their success, Mandaviya called on them to become mentors and establish sports academies after retirement, saying their responsibility extends beyond competition to nurturing the next generation of Indian champions.

He also encouraged the medal winners to carry their Glasgow momentum into the upcoming Asian Games and continue raising India’s sporting standards on the global stage.

“Let us not just win a Commonwealth Games medal with the aim to bag a government job. I urge all of you to run sports academies once you retire from your active career,” Mandaviya was quoted as saying in a statement from the Sports Ministry referring to the past precedence of athletes being absorbed in government jobs based on performances in multi-sport events such as the CWG.

Congratulating the champions, Mandaviya urged them to extend their contribution to Indian sport beyond their competitive careers by mentoring and inspiring the next generation of athletes.

The felicitation ceremony brought together members of the Indian boxing contingent, which topped the medal tally with an impressive haul of 10 medals, including seven gold and three silver. Preeti Pawar (54kg), Jaismine Lamboria (57kg), Sakshi Chaudhary (51kg), Priya Ghanghas (60kg), Arundhati Choudhary (70kg), Sachin Siwach (60kg) and Ankush Panghal (80kg) struck gold.

The three silver medallists were Jadumani Singh (55kg), Olympic medallist Lovlina Borgohain (75kg) and Narender Berwal (90+kg). Mandaviya also honoured the judo contingent, which scripted India’s best-ever Commonwealth Games campaign in the discipline by securing four medals, including two historic gold medals.

India participated in 12 judo events in Glasgow and won four medals – two gold, one silver and one bronze, compared to three medals, with no gold, in 2022. The breakthrough was led by Asmita Dey and Harsh Singh, who won India’s first-ever Commonwealth Games gold medals in judo. Looking ahead to the Asian Games in September-October in Japan, Mandaviya urged the athletes to maintain the momentum from their Commonwealth Games campaign.

“I want all of you to use this morale boost to win more gold medals at the 2026 Asian Games. Those who have won silver and bronze must strive for gold, while those who have won gold must sustain this level of excellence,” the Minister said.

He also urged the athletes to never forget the contribution of their coaches. “None of you should ever forget the contribution of your coaches…the guidance of a Guru takes you a long way in life,” Mandaviya added.

(With PTI Inputs)