Panchkula: Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Wednesday honoured the medallists and participating athletes of the 2026 Commonwealth Games at a state-level felicitation ceremony. Twenty-four athletes were presented with cash awards amounting to ₹13.97 crore.
Saini said an athlete's story does not begin with a medal: "It begins in the soil where they first learnt to run, on the field where they first experienced defeat, and on those mornings when the rest of the world was asleep while they were working towards their dream."
"The world may see an athlete on the podium for a few moments, but what often remains unseen are the years of struggle that took them there," he added. "Haryana's athletes demonstrated their strength and talent before the world in Glasgow."
According to Saini, Haryana accounts for barely 2 per cent of the country's total population, yet 24 of the 122 athletes who represented India at the Games were from Haryana, and nearly every second athlete from the state returned with a medal.
Haryana's athletes won 11 medals, comprising seven gold, two silver and two bronze. Their contribution was more than 28 per cent of India's total medal tally. Saini said that it is not merely a statistic, but a reflection of Haryana's sporting talent, hard work and fighting spirit, which has once again raised the pride of the Tricolour on the world stage.
He lauded the performance of Haryana's women athletes, saying that of the 11 medals won by the state's athletes, six were won by its daughters, including five gold medals.
Saini said athletes have brought glory to the country and the state through their talent, hard work, discipline and determination.
The CM expressed confidence that with Haryana's athletes leading the way, India will emerge as a major global sporting power at the 2028, 2032 and 2036 Olympic Games.
Haryana also dominated the boxing ring, with its boxers winning six of India's seven gold medals in the sport. He said Preeti Pawar, Jaismine Lamboria, Sakshi Chaudhary, Priya Ghanghas, Sachin Siwach and Ankush Panghal defeated their opponents to script golden history.
Referring to para-athlete Sharmila, who won a gold medal, the CM said she had proved that no obstacle can withstand the strength of the human spirit.
Neeraj Chopra once again demonstrated his world-class ability by winning silver in the javelin throw, while boxer Narender Berwal brought laurels to the state with a silver medal.
