Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi
New Delhi, Aug 9: Prime Minister Narendra Modi met India's medal winners from the recently concluded 2026 Commonwealth Games (CWG) and congratulated them for their impressive performance at the quadrennial event held in Glasgow from July 23 to August 1.
India returned from Scotland with a total of 39 medals, including 13 gold, 17 silver and nine bronze, finishing fourth in the overall medal standings behind Australia, England and Scotland.
India's strong performance came despite several sports in which the country has traditionally won medals being absent from the programme at the 2026 edition.
Athletics emerged as one of India's strongest disciplines, contributing 16 medals, including three gold, seven silver and six bronze. Boxing produced 10 medals, with Indian pugilists winning seven gold and three silver medals.
Weightlifting added eight medals, comprising one gold, six silver and one bronze, while India also secured a medal in powerlifting.
Following his meeting with the athletes, PM Modi featured alongside the medallists in a special social media video. Boxer Sakshi Choudhary, who won a gold medal at the Games, praised the Prime Minister for his humility during the interaction.
In the video, Modi encouraged India's sportspersons with the message, "Jo khelega, vo khilega", while urging everyone to continue cheering for the country.
The meeting comes as India prepares to host the Commonwealth Games in 2030, with Ahmedabad selected as the host city for the centenary edition of the multi-sport event.
The 2030 Games will mark 100 years since the first edition of the event, which was held in 1930 as the British Empire Games. Unlike the truncated 2026 edition following Victoria's withdrawal as host, the 2030 Games are expected to feature a broader sporting programme with around 15 to 17 disciplines.
The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad is expected to host the opening and closing ceremonies. The Games are scheduled to be held in October, although the final dates and list of sports are yet to be confirmed.
The 2030 edition will be only the second time India hosts the Commonwealth Games, after New Delhi staged the event in 2010.