*Chief Minister honours Commonwealth Games medallists and participants at state-level felicitation ceremony in Panchkula*
*24 athletes presented cash awards of Rs. 13.97 crore at state-level ceremony*
*Haryana athletes once again prove their mettle at Commonwealth Games, win over 28 per cent of India’s total medals, says Nayab Singh Saini*
*Haryana accounts for just 2 per cent of the country’s population, yet its athletes win 11 Commonwealth Games medals, says Chief Minister*
*Haryana athletes bag 11 medals, including seven gold; daughters of the state bring laurels with six medals*
*Haryana’s soil produces not only foodgrain, but champions too, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini*
Chandigarh, August 26- Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini on Wednesday honoured the medallists and participating athletes of the Commonwealth Games 2026 at a state-level felicitation ceremony held in Panchkula. On the occasion, 24 athletes were presented with cash awards amounting to Rs. 13 crore 97 lakh 50 thousand.
Education Minister Sh. Mahipal Dhanda, Minister of State for Sports Sh. Gaurav Gautam, Member of Parliament Smt. Rekha Sharma, Mayor Sh. Shyam Lal Bansal, Principal Secretary, Sports Department, Smt. Amneet P. Kumar, Director, Sports Department, Sh. Parth Gupta, athletes and their family members, and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.
Expressing pride in the achievements of the athletes, the Chief Minister said an athlete’s story does not begin with a medal. It begins in the soil where they first learnt to run, on the field where they first experienced defeat, and on those mornings when the rest of the world was asleep while they were working towards their dream. Behind every athlete stands the faith of their parents, the discipline instilled by their coach and the determination to rise after every defeat. The world may see an athlete on the podium for a few moments, but what often remains unseen are the years of struggle that took them there, he said.
The Chief Minister said Haryana’s athletes demonstrated their strength and talent before the world in Glasgow. Today, every Haryanvi takes immense pride in their achievements, and their success has become a celebration across the state. The greatest quality of Haryana’s soil, he said, is that it produces not only foodgrain in its fields, but champions as well.
The Chief Minister said Haryana accounts for barely 2 per cent of the country’s total population, yet 24 of the 122 athletes who represented India at the Games were from Haryana, and nearly every second athlete from the state returned with a medal. Haryana’s athletes won 11 medals, comprising seven gold, two silver and two bronze. Their contribution was more than 28 per cent of India’s total medal tally. This, he said, is not merely a statistic, but a reflection of Haryana’s sporting talent, hard work and fighting spirit, which has once again raised the pride of the Tricolour on the world stage.
On behalf of Haryana’s nearly 2.75 crore people and on his own behalf, the Chief Minister extended heartfelt congratulations to every medallist and participating athlete from Haryana who raised the Tricolour high in Glasgow. He also congratulated their parents and coaches for standing by the athletes at every step of their journey.
Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said the athletes have brought glory to the country and the state through their talent, hard work, discipline and determination. The occasion, he said, is not merely about honouring medals, but also the years of perseverance, struggle and resolve behind them. A medal around an athlete’s neck is not an individual achievement alone; it also embodies the sacrifices of the family, the guidance of the coach and the hopes of the entire state, said Sh. Nayab Singh Saini.
The Chief Minister expressed confidence that with Haryana’s athletes leading the way, India will emerge as a major global sporting power at the 2028, 2032 and 2036 Olympic Games. Haryana’s athletes have raised the Tricolour high in Glasgow today, and in the years ahead, they will do the same on the Olympic podium, he said.
Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said India won a total of 39 medals at the 23rd Commonwealth Games, including 13 gold, 17 silver and nine bronze medals, finishing fourth in the medal tally. This achievement reflects the athletes’ willpower, confidence and dedication to the nation. Haryana, he said, once again carved out a distinct identity for itself in this remarkable campaign.
*Haryana’s daughters win six medals, including five gold*
The Chief Minister particularly lauded the performance of Haryana’s women athletes, saying that of the 11 medals won by the state’s athletes, six were won by its daughters, including five gold medals. Haryana also dominated the boxing ring, with its boxers winning six of India’s seven gold medals in the sport. He said Preeti Pawar, Jaismine Lamboria, Sakshi Chaudhary, Priya Ghanghas, Sachin Siwach and Ankush Panghal defeated their opponents to script golden history.
Referring to para-athlete Sharmila, who won a gold medal, the Chief Minister said she had proved that no obstacle can withstand the strength of the human spirit. Neeraj Chopra once again demonstrated his world-class ability by winning silver in the javelin throw, while boxer Narender Berwal brought laurels to the state with a silver medal. Seema Kaliraman added an important bronze to Haryana’s medal tally. Competing in different arenas, all these athletes raised the same Tricolour high.
*Honouring not just medals, but athletes’ perseverance, struggle and determination- Chief Minister*
The Chief Minister said the felicitation ceremony is not limited to medal winners. Every athlete who represented India at the Commonwealth Games had made an equally proud contribution. Winning a medal is undoubtedly a major achievement, but stepping onto the field wearing the national colours and competing against the world’s best athletes is itself an extraordinary honour, said Nayab Singh Saini.
He said those who returned with medals are Haryana’s achievements today, while those who returned with experience are the foundation of its next achievements. Today’s experience can become tomorrow’s medal. The government, the Sports Department and the entire state of Haryana stand firmly behind its athletes, said the Chief Minister.
*Athletes representing the country should not have to worry about their future- Chief Minister*
The Chief Minister said the State Government’s approach is clear: when athletes compete for the country, they should not have to worry about what their future will hold after their sporting career.
Therefore, he said, the government’s policies are not limited to medals but are aimed at providing athletes with recognition, security and opportunities. Opportunities in government service for outstanding sportspersons, sports academies, sports nurseries, training facilities and the continuous expansion of modern sports infrastructure are all part of this approach, said Sh. Nayab Singh Saini.
*260 outstanding sportspersons provided government jobs so far*
The Chief Minister said that under Haryana’s Outstanding Sportspersons Recruitment Rules, 260 outstanding sportspersons have so far been provided Group A, B and C government jobs.
He said the Sports Gradation Policy has also recently been amended. Athletes participating in the Haryana State Games will now be eligible for sports gradation benefits, enabling them to avail opportunities in government employment and other areas.
*17,544 athletes given Rs. 742 crore in cash awards over nearly 12 years*
Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said 24 athletes were presented cash awards amounting to Rs. 13 crore 97 lakh 50 thousand on Wednesday. This, however, is not limited to today’s felicitation. Over the past nearly 12 years, the State Government has given cash awards worth Rs. 742 crore to 17,544 athletes.
He said there is also a provision for providing athletes with advance financial assistance for preparation before representing the country in international sporting competitions, ensuring that no athlete’s training is interrupted due to lack of funds.
Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that the government has also enhanced the monthly honorarium for award-winning sportspersons. Recipients of the Khel Ratna, Dronacharya, Arjuna, Dhyan Chand and Tenzing Norgay awards are now being provided a monthly honorarium of Rs. 20,000, while Bhim Award recipients receive Rs. 5,000 per month.
*Goal is not only to honour today’s champions, but also to prepare tomorrow’s champions- Chief Minister*
The Chief Minister said the government’s goal is not merely to honour today’s champions but also to prepare the champions of tomorrow. An athlete’s journey begins in the soil of a village, on a school playground or at a local sports nursery. With this approach, 2,000 sports nurseries have been opened across the state to identify and nurture sporting talent.
He said talent needs financial support along with opportunity. Therefore, a provision has been made to provide a monthly scholarship of Rs. 1,500 to athletes aged eight to 14 years and Rs. 2,000 to those in the 15-to-19-year age group.
He further shared that the state has also established 25 residential sports academies, where every athlete is provided diet money at the rate of Rs. 500 per day.
*Around Rs. 1,100 crore spent on sports infrastructure; budget increased to Rs. 668.42 crore*
The Chief Minister said that along with opportunity and financial assistance, athletes also need world-class facilities, making strong and modern sports infrastructure essential.
Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that over the past nearly 12 years, around Rs. 1,100 crore has been spent on sports infrastructure. The Sports Department’s budget has been increased to Rs. 668.42 crore from just Rs. 163 crore in 2013-14.
*‘A-STAR’ centre established to help athletes return stronger after injuries*
Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said an injury can put an athlete’s entire career at risk. To address this challenge and give athletes confidence in their recovery and return to sport, a national-level ‘A-STAR’ Advanced Scientific Training and Rehabilitation Centre has been established at Tau Devi Lal Sports Complex in Panchkula at a cost of around Rs. 10 crore. It is the first and most advanced centre of its kind in North India, said Sh. Nayab Singh Saini.
The Chief Minister said the State Government is following a policy of nurturing athletes from an early age and is committed to providing them with all necessary facilities at every stage of their preparation. The government endeavours to ensure that no sporting talent emerging from Haryana’s soil has to abandon their journey midway due to lack of resources, and that their journey ultimately reaches the world podium, he said.
He further said the state’s athletes have proved through their performances that they deserve such encouragement and facilities. After every national and international competition, Haryana’s athletes have allowed the state to celebrate. It is now the government’s responsibility to stand with them as they prepare for their next victory. The celebratory atmosphere surrounding Commonwealth Games 2026 is a reflection of this confidence.
*2030 Commonwealth Games an opportunity to showcase India’s growing sporting strength- Chief Minister*
The Chief Minister said another major opportunity lies ahead for the country. Through the efforts of Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi, India has been awarded the hosting rights for the 2030 Commonwealth Games. It is not merely a sporting event, but an opportunity to showcase India’s growing sporting strength before the world.
Sh. Nayab Singh Saini expressed confidence that Haryana’s athletes will play a significant role in making India a major global sporting power at the 2028, 2032 and 2036 Olympic Games. Today, Haryana’s athletes have raised the Tricolour high in Glasgow, and in the coming years they will raise it high on the Olympic podium as well.
The Chief Minister said the medals around their necks today are not their destination, but the beginning of their next flight. From the same soil where they first traced the outlines of their dreams, they must now write their identity on the world’s biggest sporting stages. The Tricolour has flown high in Glasgow through their achievements today, and every Haryanvi and every Indian hopes to see it fly even higher on the Olympic podium tomorrow.
Congratulating the Sports Department, coaches, parents and especially the athletes, the Chief Minister in poetic style said, ‘Thak kar bhi jo thehra nahi, wahi safar ki pehchaan bana, Gir kar jisne uthna seekha, wahi aaj Hindustan bana. Manzil mili to kya hua, ab raah nayi banani hai, ek jeet mili hai aaj, kal duniya jeet kar aani hai’.
*Chief Minister personally interacts with athletes, learns about their journeys of struggle and success*
Following the felicitation ceremony, Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini held a special interaction with the athletes who brought laurels to Haryana and the country at the Commonwealth Games.
The Chief Minister joined the athletes and interacted with them warmly, learning in detail about their sporting journeys to the international stage, the years of hard work and struggle involved, and the challenges they encountered along the way. The athletes shared their experiences and success stories with the Chief Minister, explaining how years of hard work, discipline and consistent training enabled them to reach the Commonwealth Games and win medals for the country.
During the interaction, the athletes also shared experiences from their sporting careers and expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister and the State Government for the encouragement and support being extended to sportspersons in Haryana. They said the government is ensuring all possible assistance through training, sports facilities and other necessary support. This encouragement and support has enabled them to focus fully on their sport and motivated them to perform better at the international level. The impressive performance of Haryana’s athletes at the Commonwealth Games, they said, is a reflection of these efforts.
The Chief Minister lauded the achievements of the athletes, wished them a bright future and encouraged them to continue representing the country with the same dedication and passion while striving for new milestones. He said the State Government stands firmly with its athletes and will continue its efforts to provide them with the support and facilities required to progress further.
*Haryana’s sports policy earning nationwide recognition, other states following its lead: Sh. Mahipal Dhanda*
Earlier, addressing the gathering, Haryana Education Minister Sh. Mahipal Dhanda said Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini has always considered politics as a means of public service and has consistently worked to create opportunities for the youth of Haryana and the country to move forward. His doors, he said, are always open to young people and sportspersons. It is this approach that has enabled the state to identify sporting talent from an early age and nurture children according to their potential, with the Chief Minister himself taking a keen interest in ensuring the necessary arrangements.
He said the Chief Minister consistently emphasises that athletes should never face any shortage of facilities or resources and remains deeply concerned about the youth of Haryana and their future. The pride and happiness visible on the Chief Minister’s face when Haryana’s athletes won medals reflected how personally he values and celebrates their achievements.
Thanking the Chief Minister, Sh. Mahipal Dhanda said Haryana’s sports policy has earned recognition across the country and other states have also begun following Haryana’s model. He congratulated and welcomed the athletes of Haryana and their families, and lauded the hard work, enthusiasm and determination of the sportspersons.
He said, Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi has placed before the country a resolve that every talented Indian, irrespective of the field, should contribute to the fullest of their ability and play a role in making India one of the world’s most powerful nations by 2047. Haryana’s athletes, he said, have taken strong strides in this direction.
Encouraging the young children attending the programme, the Education Minister expressed confidence that through hard work and discipline, they too would bring laurels to the state and the country in the years ahead. He said Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini will never allow the children and youth of Haryana to lose hope and will continue to provide them with every possible opportunity and support to move forward.
Meanwhile, Minister of State for Sports, Sh. Gaurav Gautam also addressed the gathering.
No. IPRDH/2026