Chandigarh (Balwinder Singh): Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Wednesday honoured the state’s medal winners and participants from the Commonwealth Games 2026, presenting cash awards worth Rs 13.97 crore to 24 athletes at a state-level felicitation ceremony in Panchkula.
Highlighting Haryana’s contribution to India’s campaign, Saini said athletes from the state won 11 medals, including seven gold, two silver and two bronze, accounting for more than 28 per cent of India’s total medal tally at the Games.
“Haryana’s soil does not only produce foodgrains, it also produces champions,” the Chief Minister said while congratulating the athletes, their families and coaches.
Haryana Athletes Won Over 28% Of India’s Commonwealth Games Medals
Saini said Haryana accounts for only around two per cent of India’s population, but 24 of the 122 athletes representing the country at the Commonwealth Games came from the state.
Haryana athletes returned with 11 of India’s 39 medals. India finished fourth on the medal table with 13 gold, 17 silver and nine bronze medals.
The Chief Minister said the figures reflected Haryana’s sporting strength and the years of work put in by its athletes.
Haryana’s Women Athletes Bring Home Six Medals
Saini particularly praised the performance of women athletes, who won six of Haryana’s 11 medals, including five golds.
Boxers Preeti Pawar, Jaismine Lamboria, Sakshi Chaudhary, Priya Ghanghas, Sachin Siwach and Ankush Panghal were among those highlighted by the Chief Minister for winning gold medals.
Para-athlete Sharmila was also praised for her gold-medal performance, while Neeraj Chopra and boxer Narender Berwal won silver medals. Seema Kaliraman added a bronze to Haryana’s tally.
Saini said the felicitation was not merely about celebrating medals but recognising the years of “struggle, discipline and determination” behind athletes’ performances.
Rs 13.97 Crore Cash Awards Presented To 24 Players
During the ceremony, the Haryana government distributed Rs 13,97,50,000 in cash awards among 24 athletes.
According to the Chief Minister, Haryana has distributed around Rs 742 crore in cash awards to 17,544 sportspersons over the past 12 years.
He said the government also provides advance financial assistance to athletes preparing to represent India in international competitions so that lack of funds does not affect their training.
260 Outstanding Sportspersons Given Government Jobs
Saini said 260 outstanding sportspersons have been appointed to Group A, B and C government posts under Haryana’s recruitment rules for exceptional athletes.
The state has also amended its sports gradation policy to extend benefits to athletes participating in the Haryana State Games, potentially giving them access to government employment and other opportunities.
Monthly honorariums have also been increased, with recipients of the Khel Ratna, Dronacharya, Arjuna, Dhyan Chand and Tenzing Norgay awards receiving Rs 20,000 per month, while Bhim Award winners receive Rs 5,000.
2,000 Sports Nurseries And 25 Residential Academies In Haryana
The Chief Minister said Haryana’s focus was not limited to rewarding established athletes but also identifying the next generation of champions.
The state has opened 2,000 sports nurseries, while athletes aged eight to 14 are eligible for a monthly scholarship of Rs 1,500 and those aged 15 to 19 can receive Rs 2,000.
Haryana has also established 25 residential sports academies, where athletes are provided diet money at the rate of Rs 500 per day.
Haryana Spent Around Rs 1,100 Crore On Sports Infrastructure
Saini said approximately Rs 1,100 crore has been spent on sports infrastructure over the past 12 years.
The state’s Sports Department budget has increased to Rs 668.42 crore, compared with Rs 163 crore in 2013-14.
The government has also established the A-STAR Advanced Scientific Training and Rehabilitation Centre at Tau Devi Lal Sports Complex in Panchkula at a cost of around Rs 10 crore. The facility is aimed at providing scientific training and rehabilitation support to injured athletes.
Saini Eyes Bigger Haryana Contribution At Future Olympics
Looking ahead, the Chief Minister said he expected Haryana’s athletes to play a major role for India at the 2028, 2032 and 2036 Olympic Games.
He also described the 2030 Commonwealth Games in India as an opportunity to showcase the country’s growing sporting strength on the global stage.
Addressing the athletes, Saini said their Commonwealth Games medals should be viewed not as the destination but as the beginning of their next journey towards bigger international achievements.
Following the felicitation ceremony, the Chief Minister interacted with the athletes and discussed their sporting journeys, training, challenges and experiences at the international level.
Education Minister Mahipal Dhanda, Minister of State for Sports Gaurav Gautam, MP Rekha Sharma and senior officials of the Haryana government were among those present at the event.
