The medal-winning Indian athletes in the Commonwealth Games got a pat on the back from the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh when they met him at his residence on Friday. Dr. Singh had words of encouragement for the successful athletes and, to their delight, had dinner with them.
With four gold medals around his neck, star shooter Gagan Narang got to spend a few moments with the Prime Minister. “It was a pleasure and a great honour to meet the PM. I remembered him from the Melbourne Games, when I had met him after winning four gold medals with three records. I told him that I had four gold medals this time also but with four new records. He was very encouraging and said that he would expect the same results in future also'', said Narang.
Narang expresses thanks
Acknowledging that the Prime Minister spent a lot of time with the shooters, who were the envy of all others as they had so many medals around their necks, Narang said that he chose the opportunity to convey his gratitude for the government support.
“I thanked him for all the support, and told him that I am a product of the system'', said the ace shooter.
Badminton star Saina Nehwal, who won the gold that took India past England in the medals tally, said it was one of the best days of her life.
“The PM was so happy. He told me he watched the match and liked the way I won the match. He told me how they were all so tense. For me, it means a lot, coming from the PM. For us sportspersons, it feels great to be acknowledged by such luminaries,” said Saina.
Good for sport
The victory, said Saina, was good for the sport. “It was such a wonderful feeling when we all met the PM. I felt extremely encouraged by the PM's words. It was great to be told that people like Gagan (Narang), Vijender (Singh), Sushil (Kumar), Abhinav (Bindra) followed my match. I felt proud when they wanted to know from me how I pulled it off,” said a happy Saina.
World champion wrestler Sushil Kumar, who won a freestyle gold in the 66kg category, was thrilled at meeting the Prime Minister.
“He met and congratulated everyone. The Prime Minister said he watched my bouts on television and was particularly impressed with my nine-second semifinal clash (with Gambian Famara Jarjou),” Sushil said. Dr. Singh wished Sushil “best of luck” for the future.
Athletics gold winner Krishna Poonia could not be present, though the other members of the team were there including the 4x400m women's relay members.
Meeting the sports minister
After meeting the award winners and coaches, the Prime Minister also met Union Sports Minister M.S. Gill, Director General of the Sports Authority of India (SAI) Sayan Chatterjee and senior officials of the ministry and complimented them for the successful implementation of the government scheme for athletes' training, which produced good results.
Dr. Singh hoped the Indian athletes would also do well in the Asian Games to be held in China next month.
However, Commonwealth Games Organising Committee Chairman Suresh Kalmadi was not invited for the Prime Minister's interaction with the medal winners. Nor for that matter other members of the Organising Committee.
