Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi interacted with India's Commonwealth Games champions at his residence, highlighting that receiving national sportspersons has been a regular tradition throughout his 12 to 13-year tenure. The PM emphasized that medals inspire young school students far more effectively than routine promotional advice, stating "Your medal inspires them more than anything we could say by going to schools." He observed the transforming landscape of Indian sports over the past decade, noting that global competitors now feel intimidated when drawn against Indian opponents, specifically highlighting the rising stature of Indian boxers.
Athletes provided feedback on the transformative role played by grassroots initiatives like the Khelo India Scheme and back-to-back competition support provided by the government. The Prime Minister emphasized that true national sports success depends not merely on physical infrastructure, but on building a comprehensive sports culture across the nation, stating "Sports infrastructure is one thing, but the country achieves medals when a sports culture is built in the country." He commended the continuous support provided by the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the Khelo India framework since its inception in 2018, which has helped young talent transition smoothly to elite competitive levels.
The interaction included emotional moments, including an athlete who dedicated a victory achieved on Guru Purnima to his coach, and another who broke into tears on the podium after overcoming four years of persistent injuries. The PM acknowledged the patriotism of an Indian Army athlete who defeated his Pakistani opponent 5-0 on Kargil Vijay Diwas and dedicated his victory to the heroes of the Indian Army. He also made inquiries regarding upgraded sports infrastructure across various regional hubs including Varanasi and Bhopal, where athletes spent time training and visiting spiritual sites. The PM extended warm wishes to a multi-time medalist celebrating her birthday during the interaction, personally offering sweets and encouraging all athletes to maintain their winning momentum.