New Delhi, August 10, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday emphasised that building sports infrastructure alone is not enough to produce champions, stressing the need to develop a strong sporting culture across the country as he interacted with India’s Commonwealth Games medal winners.
Reflecting on the transformation of Indian sports over the past decade, Modi said meeting sportspersons at his residence had become a cherished tradition during his 12-13 years in public life. He credited athletes with inspiring young people through their performances, saying their medals motivate schoolchildren more effectively than conventional promotional campaigns.
“Your medal inspires them more than anything we could say by going to schools,” Modi said.
During the interaction, the Prime Minister spoke with para-athlete Sharmila Dhankar, recalling her earlier commitment to encourage her daughters to take up sports. He asked about their progress and warmly responded when she said her daughters would win three medals at the upcoming Commonwealth Games.
Modi also highlighted the emotional journeys behind several victories. He referred to para-athlete Dilip Mahadu Gavit dedicating his Guru Purnima victory to his coach and recalled another athlete breaking down on the podium after overcoming four years of injuries and personal difficulties.
“This victory of yours becomes a very big inspiration for the coming generations,” Modi said.
He noted that Indian athletes, particularly boxers, are increasingly earning respect on the international circuit, with competitors now wary of facing Indian opponents. He credited initiatives such as the Khelo India programme and sustained government support for competitions with helping develop athletes from the grassroots level.
“World players have now started fearing these boxers too,” he remarked.
Emphasising the broader objective of sports promotion, Modi said athletes should retain the humility and learning spirit of young players while carrying forward the Khelo India initiative.
“Sports infrastructure is one thing, but the country achieves medals when a sports culture is built in the country,” he said.
The Prime Minister also praised silver medallist boxer Jadumani Singh, an Indian Army athlete who defeated his Pakistani opponent 5-0 on Kargil Vijay Diwas and dedicated the victory to Indian Army heroes.
Sharing a lighter moment, Modi recalled Narender Berwal’s anecdote about his army coach Narendra Rana and their shared name. He said the athletes had not merely increased India’s medal tally but had helped prepare an entire generation for sport.
“You have not merely increased the number of medals; you have prepared a generation,” Modi said.
Modi also appreciated silver medallist weightlifter Rishikanta Singh for acknowledging the role of the Sports Authority of India (SAI) in providing training facilities that helped him progress from local centres to the international podium.
The Prime Minister discussed upgraded sports facilities at regional centres, including Varanasi and Bhopal, and spoke about athletes’ training experiences and visits to spiritual sites such as Kashi Vishwanath and Mahakaleshwar in Ujjain.
He credited SAI and the Khelo India framework, launched in 2018, with helping young athletes make the transition from grassroots competition to elite-level sport.
Addressing gold medallist judoka Asmita Dey, Modi said, “Rest assured, in the future too you will be victorious and once again we will meet right here.”
He also extended birthday wishes to multi-time medal-winning weightlifter Mirabai Chanu, who celebrated her birthday during the interaction. Modi personally offered her sweets and encouraged the contingent to maintain its winning momentum.
Concluding the interaction on an upbeat note, the Prime Minister blessed the athletes and highlighted their continued medal-winning success, saying, “He who plays, blooms.”
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