PM Modi Celebrates Asian Games Triumph, Honors Gold-Medal Winning Cricket Stars
Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted a grand felicitation ceremony at the Major Dhyan Chand Stadium in New Delhi on Thursday, extending his heartfelt congratulations to the Indian contingent that brought glory to the nation at the recent Asian Games. Among the stars of the show were the men’s and women’s cricket teams, who were celebrated for their historic gold-medal performances.
The event, which saw the presence of top sports administrators including International Cricket Council Chairman Jay Shah, served as a platform for the Prime Minister to laud the athletes for their resilience and excellence on the continental stage.
Cricket Teams Lead the Celebration
The atmosphere was electric as players from both cricket squads took the stage to be honored. The men’s team, led by Shreyas Iyer, made a brief return from their ongoing series to join the celebrations, while the women’s team, spearheaded by Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana, also took center stage.
In a gesture of gratitude and national pride, the cricketers presented the Prime Minister with autographed team jerseys. These moments of camaraderie were echoed throughout the stadium as athletes from various disciplines offered personal mementos to the PM, including an archery bow and framed sports gear, showcasing the diversity of talent present.
A “New India” on the Global Stage
Addressing the gathering, Prime Minister Modi highlighted that the 85 medals secured by India—including 21 golds—were a testament to the country’s growing prowess in the international sporting arena.
“You have made 140 crore Indians proud,” the Prime Minister stated. “The biggest success is seeing the tricolor fly high; your achievement belongs to every citizen of this country.”
Modi specifically praised the groundbreaking achievements of the Indian contingent, noting that the tally was bolstered by debutants who secured 41 medals. He pointed out the historic milestones, such as the women’s hockey team’s gold medal—the first in 44 years—and India’s success in sports where they had previously never stood on the podium, such as mixed martial arts and sailing.
Recognizing Women’s Power in Sports
A significant portion of the Prime Minister’s address was dedicated to the women athletes who contributed 38 medals to the national tally, 11 of which were gold. He credited this as a shining example of “New India,” where barriers are being broken across all sporting disciplines.
From the consistent dominance of the kabaddi and hockey squads to the individual brilliance seen in boxing, wrestling, and shooting, the event was a celebration of India’s evolving sports culture. As the ceremony concluded, it was clear that the Prime Minister’s message was one of encouragement: that while these victories are historic, they are only the beginning of a larger journey toward sporting excellence. The athletes left the stadium not just with the honor of having met the Prime Minister, but with the momentum to chase even greater heights in future global competitions.
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