Indian athletes who secured medals at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow recently met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his residence. The informal gathering, which included Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of State for Sports Raksha Khadse, and Indian Olympic Association president PT Usha, provided an opportunity for the athletes to share their experiences from the Games. The Prime Minister praised the athletes for their achievements, highlighting how their success inspires a new generation.
Lovlina Borgohain’s Stand on Distorted Map
During the interaction, Prime Minister Modi specifically commended boxer Lovlina Borgohain for her actions regarding a distorted map of India. Lovlina, who earned a silver medal in the women’s 75kg category, recounted an incident at a Glasgow restaurant where she noticed the incorrect depiction. Modi inquired about the confrontation, asking, “Kya hua wo restaurant waale se jhagda kar rahi thi? (What happened, you were fighting with that restaurant guy?)”
Lovlina explained that despite being in a celebratory mood on the final day of the Games, she felt compelled to address the issue. She stated, “We had such a good performance and it was the last day of the Games. It was a happy occasion sir, we were celebrating and I didn’t like it when I saw the distorted map. I politely told them and they have made the changes also.”
The Prime Minister applauded her awareness and action, remarking, “To be able to recognise the significance of that map at a time when you were celebrating and the Games were over, I can tell you truthfully, that video was not ordinary. It will be remembered by people for a very long time.” Lovlina is also a Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist.
Mirabai Chanu’s Emotional Journey and Support Systems
The meeting also offered a glimpse into weightlifter Mirabai Chanu’s journey to her gold medal in the women’s 48kg category. Mirabai achieved a Games-record lift of 190kg. Prime Minister Modi noted her emotional reaction on the podium, asking about the tears she shed. He even offered her a laddu during their conversation.
Mirabai shared that her tears were a culmination of emotions from the preceding years, particularly after missing a medal at the Paris Olympics by one kilogram. She described the four years as challenging, stating, “I was very happy and emotional at that moment. I was crying because I missed a medal in the Paris Olympics by one kilogram. I have faced a lot in these last four years… And when I stood on the podium, our flag went up and the anthem played, it was hard to stop myself.”
The support provided to athletes like Mirabai highlights a shift in India’s approach to sports. Programs such as the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), launched in 2014, aim to identify top talent and remove financial barriers. TOPS covers various aspects of an athlete’s support structure, including foreign coaches, physiotherapists, sparring partners, video analysts, airfare, and medical insurance. For instance, Mirabai’s overseas training in the United States, budgeted at approximately Rs 70 lakh, was approved quickly during a challenging period in April 2021, three months before the Tokyo Olympics.
Another initiative, Khelo India, launched in 2018, focuses on scouting talent at school and college levels through annual events like the Khelo India Youth Games and University Games, channeling promising athletes into structured support systems early in their careers.
Lighter Moments and Broader Impact
The interaction also featured lighthearted moments. Boxer Narender Berwal, who secured a silver medal in the +90kg category, recalled a humorous exchange with a Pakistani boxer after defeating him at the 2015 World Military Games. Berwal recounted the Pakistani boxer’s comment: “Bhaijan aapka naam Narender hai, aapke coach ka naam Narender hai, aapke Pradhan Mantri ka naam Narender hai, mujhe Narender naam se nafrat ho gayi hai.” This anecdote drew laughter from the Prime Minister.
Prime Minister Modi emphasized the broader significance of the athletes’ achievements, stating that their medals serve as a greater inspiration than efforts to promote sports in schools. He noted his consistent meetings with athletes over the past 12-13 years, attributing it to their dedication to winning medals for India and reaching new heights. India finished fourth in Glasgow with 39 medals, including 13 golds, with boxing contributing seven gold medals.
India is set to host the Commonwealth Games again in 2030 and has expressed its intent to bid for the 2036 Olympic Games.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
