Kathmandu— Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with India’s Commonwealth Games 2026 medal winners at his residence in New Delhi, recognizing their hard work and contribution to national pride. During the meeting, PM Modi highlighted the athletes' consistent success over the past decade and emphasized that their achievements motivate young people more effectively than any speech could. He also shared personal interactions with several athletes, discussing their families and future goals, while stressing the importance of building a strong sports culture in India.

Consistent Recognition of Athletes

PM Modi noted that athletes have been frequent visitors to his residence for the past 12-13 years. He appreciated their consistent efforts over the last 10 to 12 years, saying it has led to a tradition of scaling new heights of success for India. “If there is anyone I have received regularly and every single time, it is the athletes,” he said in a video posted on his YouTube channel.

Medals Inspire Future Generations

The Prime Minister underscored the powerful impact of athletic achievements on inspiring young people to participate in sports. He stated that medals resonate more deeply than words when encouraging youth involvement. “The impact we could try to make by going to schools and telling them ‘you should play,’ your medals inspire them far more than any words ever could,” he added.

Personal Interactions with Athletes

PM Modi engaged in individual conversations with the medalists, demonstrating a personal connection. He recalled Sharmila Dhankar’s previous promise that her two daughters would also become athletes, to which she responded confidently about potentially winning three medals from her family in a future Commonwealth Games. A lighthearted moment occurred when Seema Kaliramna admitted to feeling nervous meeting him, prompting PM Modi to playfully suggest she'd win a medal for her speech as well. Seema later shared that friends had often asked if she would ever have the opportunity to meet the Prime Minister.

Building a National Sports Culture

PM Modi emphasized that developing a robust sports culture is crucial for India’s continued success on the international stage. He acknowledged the importance of sports infrastructure but stressed that a true ‘sports culture’ is what ultimately leads to medal wins. “Sports infrastructure is one part of it, but a country wins medals when a 'sports culture' is built,” he said. He expressed confidence in the athletes’ future performances and looked forward to celebrating more victories with them.

India concluded its Commonwealth Games campaign with 39 medals, securing fourth place overall and formally receiving the Commonwealth Games flag and baton as host of the centenary edition in Ahmedabad in 2030.

(With inputs from ANI)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.