Medal winners, participants of Commonwealth Games felicitated
CM announces new sports recruitment policy
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Imphal, August 22 2026: Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand has announced a special recruitment policy for outstanding sportspersons.

The Chief Minister today felicitated Saikhom Mirabai Chanu and other Manipuri medallists and participants of the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, 2026 who brought laurels to the State and the Nation.

Speaking at the felicitation ceremony held at Khuman Lampak Indoor Stadium, Khemchand stated that a special recruitment policy for sportspersons who brought laurels to the State was formulated in the recently held Cabinet meeting.

Medal winners, participants of Commonwealth Games felicitated

Under this policy, the State Government would recruit sportspersons with complete transparency and strictly on the basis of merit.

So far only gold medallists were provided State Government jobs, but under the new policy, even silver and bronze medallists would be considered for availing State Government jobs, the Chief Minister stated.

Commonwealth Games 2026 weightlifting gold medallist Saikhom Mirabai Chanu who came back to Imphal exclusively to attend today's programme after taking a break from her hectic training schedule for the next Asian games was felicitated at the programme.

The Chief Minister also felicitated silver medallist Chanambam Rishikanta Singh, the first male medallist in weightlifting in international arena from Manipur, who won silver medal in weightlifting in 60 kg weight category; boxer Mayengbam Jadumani Singh, silver medallist in 55 kg weight category and weightlifter Sorokhaibam Bindyarani Devi, bronze medallist in 58 kg category.

While the gold medallist was given a cash reward of Rs 20 lakh and a certificate of recognition, the silver medal winners were given a cash reward of Rs 15 lakh each with a certificate.

The bronze medallist was given a cash reward of Rs 10 lakh and a certificate while all participants of the Glasgow Games were given Rs 4 lakh each and a certificate.

Medal winners, participants of Commonwealth Games felicitated

The Chief Minister said that prize money given to Commonwealth Games medal winners and participants has been enhanced this time to further motivate them.

He also felicitated the coaches who accompanied the athletes to the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, 2026 .

Khemchand also handed over appointment letters to 71 National Games gold medallists from the 36th and 37th National Games for appointment as Physical Education Teachers under the Youth Affairs and Sports (YAS) Department.

Appointment letters were also handed over to four athletes under Home Department and three Asian Games medallists under the Home Department.

The Chief Minister said that it was the sportspersons who created a positive impression of the State after the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, otherwise the people across the country were only asking about Manipur's law and order situation during the last three years.

Khemchand said he was emotional today seeing the players as he was himself a sportsperson.

Khemchand himself is a 5 Dan Black Belt Taekwondo player and was a pioneer of Taekwondo martial arts in North East India, said a statement issued by the Chief Minister's Secretariat.

The Chief Minister commended the efforts of local clubs, family members and players for their achievements in their respective disciplines.

Deputy Chief Minister Losii Dikho stated "Manipur is blessed by God so much and God wants us, our Manipuri people to excel in sports and glorify our motherland".

Dr Puneet Kumar Goel, Chief Secretary, expressed pride in honouring the outstanding achievement of athletes who have represented Manipur and India with distinction at Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2026 .

Manipur is one of India's leading sporting States consistently producing Olympians, National and International champions reflecting its strong sporting culture and spirit of excellence.

The programme organised by the Department of Youth Affairs & Sports was attended by MLAs; Daljit Singh Chawdhary, Vice Chancellor of National Sports University; Secretary Youth Affairs & Sports; staff; coaches and players, among others.