As someone who has spent most of my life following cricket with unmatched passion, I never imagined that athletics, boxing, wrestling or long-distance running would one day command my attention with the same excitement. Yet, the recently concluded Glasgow Commonwealth Games made me rethink my own sporting preferences.
Like many sports lovers, I too wondered whether India’s performance had declined. After all, the numbers seemed disappointing at first glance. India finished with 39 medals in Glasgow 2026, compared to an impressive haul of 61 medals at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games in 2022.
But numbers, as they often do, tell only half the story.
A closer look reveals that India has not underperformed. Rather, the Games themselves underwent a dramatic transformation. Glasgow hosted a leaner, budget-conscious edition featuring only ten sports, down from nineteen in Birmingham. More importantly, several disciplines that have traditionally been India’s biggest medal contributors—including wrestling, badminton, table tennis, hockey, cricket and squash—were dropped altogether.
These omitted sports alone had accounted for nearly 30 of India’s 61 medals in Birmingham. Viewed in that context, India’s tally of 39 medals is not a decline but an impressive demonstration of resilience and adaptability.
In fact, what stands out most is the quality of India’s performances in the sports that remained. Indian boxers and weight-lifters once again showcased remarkable grit and technical excellence, proving why the country has steadily emerged as a global force in combat sports. Every medal won in the boxing ring or on the weightlifting mat represents years of relentless sacrifice, discipline and determination.
Equally inspiring was India’s performance on the athletics track. The emergence of Indian athletes in endurance events, particularly the 5,000 metres and 10,000 metres, signals a significant shift in the country’s sporting landscape. For decades, these events were dominated by athletes from Africa and other traditional powerhouses. Today, Indian runners are not merely participating—they are competing with confidence and making their presence felt on the international stage.
Success in athletics deserves special appreciation because these are individual events. Unlike team sports, where victory is shared among eleven or more players, every individual medal reflects the effort, mental strength and perseverance of a single athlete supported by dedicated coaches and support staff. Standing alone on the podium with the national flag rising behind is an achievement that deserves the highest respect.
This encouraging transformation did not happen overnight. It is the result of sustained policy support and a conscious effort to broaden India’s sporting ecosystem beyond cricket.
Over the past decade, the Union Government has consistently invested in nurturing sporting talent through initiatives such as Khelo India, the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), improved sports infrastructure, scientific coaching, nutritional support and greater financial assistance. Talented youngsters from remote villages, tribal regions and the North-Eastern states are increasingly finding opportunities that were once unimaginable.
Perhaps equally important is the recognition our athletes now receive. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made it a point to personally interact with medal winners as well as those who narrowly missed the podium. Invitations to high tea or dinner with the entire contingent after major international events have become a welcome tradition. Such gestures may appear symbolic, but they carry immense emotional value. They assure athletes that the nation stands with them not only in victory but also in defeat.
Recognition often inspires participation. When young boys and girls watch athletes from ordinary families being celebrated by the country’s highest political leadership, they begin to believe that excellence in sports can be a viable dream. Government backing, public appreciation and institutional support together create an environment where more youngsters are encouraged to take up sports seriously.
India’s Glasgow campaign, therefore, should not be judged merely by the final medal tally. It should be viewed as another milestone in the country’s steadily expanding sporting culture.
The real victory lies in the fact that millions of Indians are today discussing boxing, athletics, wrestling and long-distance running with the same enthusiasm once reserved almost exclusively for cricket.
If that sporting revolution continues, Glasgow’s 39 medals may well be remembered as far more significant than Birmingham’s 61.
