0 months ago
CWG Assessment: Positives and Concerns for SAI, Sports Ministry
India played in a big sports competition called the Commonwealth Games, held in a city named Glasgow.
Many countries took part, and India won 39 medals - more than people expected.
India finished fourth in the competition.
Indian boxers did really well and won 10 medals, including seven golds.
Judo players also surprised everyone by winning four medals.
But swimmers and cyclists did not win any medals, so officials say they still need a lot of practice.
One runner, Gulveer Singh, won two medals and became the first Indian to win two track medals in the same Commonwealth Games.
Another athlete, Tejaswin Shankar, hurt his knee but still won a bronze in a very hard event called the decathlon.
Officials were happy overall but said they need to fix small problems, like athletes' luggage arriving late.
Next, India will compete in the Asian Games in Japan.
India finished fourth at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games with 39 medals - 13 gold and 17 silver - far above the pre-Games internal estimate of 25.
Boxing led India's medal tally with 10 medals (seven gold, three silver), while judo delivered four medals including two gold.
SAI described swimming and cycling as "work in progress" after their medal-less, underwhelming showings at the Games.
Gulveer Singh became the first Indian to win a 10,000m silver at the Games and also took bronze in the 5,000m.
SAI flagged administrative issues such as delayed baggage for boxers and judo players and proposed a dedicated points person for future Games.
- Who
- The Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the Sports Ministry, with Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya highlighting India's growth.
- What
- India finished fourth at the Commonwealth Games with 39 medals (13 gold, 17 silver); SAI celebrated boxing and judo success but raised concerns about swimming, cycling and logistical issues.
- Where
- Glasgow, which hosted the Commonwealth Games; India's assessment was delivered in New Delhi.
- When
- The just-concluded Commonwealth Games; SAI's assessment was reported from New Delhi on August 4.
- Why
- The Games acted as a mid-term exam for SAI, validating training investments such as TOPS-funded preparation ahead of the Asian Games and the 2028 Olympics.
Optimistic Assessment
Cautious Concerns
Medal tally vs. reduced competition
Optimistic Assessment
India's 39 medals, including 13 gold, far exceeded the internal estimate of 25 and surpassed the 30 medals of 2022 and 22 of 2018, showing clear growth.
Cautious Concerns
The truncated Glasgow Games featured only 10 disciplines, and an SAI official acknowledged 'the competition shrunk this time,' making direct comparisons with earlier editions less meaningful.
Investment in swimming and cycling
Optimistic Assessment
SAI's push for greater support to swimming and cycling is a long-term development effort, with officials calling these sports 'work in progress.'
Cautious Concerns
Swimming and cycling produced medal-less, underwhelming performances at the Games, which served as a 'reality check' for that push.
Outlook for the Asian Games
Optimistic Assessment
Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said the government's efforts over the last decade are producing visible results.
Cautious Concerns
The upcoming Asian Games in Japan could be a major reality check for boxing and judo, even as shooting, wrestling and badminton return.
Key facts
- Total Medals
- 39 (13 gold, 17 silver)
- Finish Position
- 4th
- Pre-Games Internal Estimate
- 25 medals
- Boxing Haul
- 10 medals (7 gold, 3 silver)
- Judo Haul
- 4 medals (2 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze)
- Previous Editions
- 30 medals in 2022; 22 in 2018
- TOPS Expenditure (5 Years)
- Rs 125.44 crore; Rs 51.92 crore in 2024-26
- Next Major Event
- Asian Games in Japan (September-October)
Quotes
Senior SAI official
Senior official at the Sports Authority of India
“It just shows that the efforts directed towards aspects such as build‑up training at locations which had conditions similar to Glasgow paid off.”
theprint.in
“The brightest aspect of this tally is the judo performance (two gold, one silver and one bronze).”
theprint.in
Sources
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