ArdorComm Media News Network
August 4, 2026
Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya felicitated India’s medal-winning weightlifting contingent from the Commonwealth Games 2026, awarding cash incentives and encouraging the athletes to inspire young Indians by engaging with students in schools and colleges.
To recognise their achievements, the Minister presented ₹30 lakh to gold medallists, ₹20 lakh to silver medallists and ₹10 lakh to bronze medallists. India’s weightlifting team concluded its Glasgow campaign with an impressive tally of eight medals—one gold, six silver and one bronze—across 11 weight categories, while also setting multiple Commonwealth Games and Commonwealth records alongside several personal-best performances.
Congratulating the athletes, Mandaviya said the nation celebrated every medal won by the team and noted that their achievements were acknowledged in Parliament, reflecting the country’s pride in their success.
The Minister also lauded the contribution of coaches, particularly Dronacharya awardee Vijay Sharma, describing coaches as the backbone of an athlete’s journey and recognising their role in producing world-class champions.
Among the standout performers, Olympic silver medallist Mirabai Chanu created history by becoming the first Indian weightlifter to win three consecutive Commonwealth Games gold medals. Rishikanta Singh and Valluri Ajay Babu set new Commonwealth Games records in the snatch event, while Gyaneshwari Yadav and Harjinder Kaur registered personal-best lifts during the competition.
Highlighting the success of government-backed sports programmes, Mandaviya noted that six of India’s 11 weightlifters are Khelo India Athletes. He added that medallists such as Gyaneshwari Yadav, Bindyarani Devi and Harjinder Kaur have trained at the Sports Authority of India’s National Centre of Excellence in Patiala, which has become a key hub for nurturing elite sporting talent.
Calling the athletes role models, the Minister urged them to visit educational institutions and share their journeys of perseverance and achievement to motivate more young people to embrace sports.
During the interaction, Mandaviya discussed the athletes’ training experiences, personal struggles and preparations for the 2026 Asian Games. The lifters credited national coaching camps, international exposure and scientific training for helping them reach the podium and expressed confidence about bringing more honours to India.
The Minister also encouraged athletes who narrowly missed medals, reminding them that setbacks are an integral part of competitive sport and urging them to continue striving for excellence.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to sports development, Mandaviya said initiatives such as Khelo India are creating a strong talent pipeline by providing athletes with world-class coaching, scientific support and competitive opportunities to excel on the global stage.
Separately, Union Minister for Women and Child Development Annapurna Devi applauded the outstanding performance of India’s women athletes at the Commonwealth Games, noting that Nari Shakti played a pivotal role in the country’s campaign by winning eight of India’s 13 gold medals across boxing, weightlifting, judo and para athletics.
In a post on X, she highlighted that five Indian women boxers secured gold medals and said their achievements reflect the growing strength of women’s sports in the country. She added that their success is inspiring a new generation of girls to pursue sporting excellence and credited the progress to the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying India’s daughters are ushering in a new era of sporting achievement.
Source: DD News