CM Majhi wishes Odisha athletes at CWG 2026
Synopsis
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on 25 July 2026 publicly backed the Indian contingent at Commonwealth Games 2026, naming five Odisha athletes including gymnast Pranati Nayak and invoking the hopes of '140 crore Indians' behind Team India.
Key Takeaways
CM Mohan Charan Majhi posted a message of support for Team India at Commonwealth Games 2026 on 25 July 2026 .
He named five Odisha athletes: Tapan Mohanty , Tapeswaranath Das , Pranati Nayak , Dinesh Kumar , and Animesh Kujur .
Pranati Nayak is an established artistic gymnast from Odisha with prior international Commonwealth Games experience.
The Khelo India scheme, active since 2017 , has supported athlete development in Odisha and other states.
The post was tagged #Cheer4Bharat and #CWG2026 , amplifying the state's sporting identity on a national platform.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Saturday, 25 July 2026, extended warm wishes to the Indian contingent competing at the Commonwealth Games 2026, with a special mention of five athletes from Odisha representing the nation on the global stage.
In his post on X, CM Majhi wrote: 'As Team India takes the field at the Commonwealth Games 2026, the hopes and blessings of 140 crore Indians stand firmly behind our athletes.' He singled out Tapan Mohanty, Tapeswaranath Das, Pranati Nayak, Dinesh Kumar, and Animesh Kujur — all from Odisha — urging them to 'bring glory to Bharat and make the Tricolour soar high.'
Context
The Commonwealth Games is a quadrennial multi-sport event that draws athletes from across India's states and union territories. Odisha has steadily grown its presence in national sporting rosters, with athletes competing in disciplines ranging from artistic gymnastics to combat sports. CM Majhi's message, tagged with #Cheer4Bharat and #CWG2026, reflects the state government's public backing for its sportspersons on an international platform.
Policy Backdrop
The central government's Khelo India scheme, launched in 2017, has played a significant role in identifying and nurturing talent from states including Odisha, providing training support and infrastructure access. Successive governments have increased targeted funding for international multi-sport events since the 2010s, and state-level endorsements from chief ministers have become a visible part of that ecosystem. Among the athletes named, Pranati Nayak is an established artistic gymnast from Odisha with prior Commonwealth Games experience.
Stakeholders and Impact
For the five Odisha athletes named — Tapan Mohanty, Tapeswaranath Das, Pranati Nayak, Dinesh Kumar, and Animesh Kujur — a public message from the Chief Minister carries both symbolic weight and visibility. Such endorsements can draw state-level media attention to athletes who might otherwise compete outside the public spotlight. Broader Indian sporting culture has increasingly leaned on political voices to amplify grassroots athletes ahead of major tournaments.
What's Next
All eyes will now be on the performance of the Indian contingent as the Commonwealth Games 2026 unfolds. The final medal tally and individual results from Odisha's athletes will determine whether the Chief Minister's optimism translates into podium finishes. Any medals won by the named athletes are likely to prompt further official recognition from the state government.
Point of View
Majhi anchors Odisha's contribution to India's global sporting footprint — a move that doubles as both governance optics and constituent outreach. It also fits a post-2017 pattern in which Khelo India's grassroots pipeline has given state governments more athletes to champion on national stages. The message signals that sporting achievement is increasingly part of Odisha's political brand under BJP rule.
NationPress
25 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Odisha athletes are competing at Commonwealth Games 2026?
Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi named Tapan Mohanty , Tapeswaranath Das , Pranati Nayak , Dinesh Kumar , and Animesh Kujur as Odisha athletes in the Indian contingent at CWG 2026 .
Who is Pranati Nayak?
Pranati Nayak is an artistic gymnast from Odisha who has previously represented India at the Commonwealth Games and other international competitions.
What is the Khelo India scheme?
Khelo India is a central government scheme launched in 2017 to identify and support grassroots athletes across Indian states, including through training infrastructure and financial assistance.
Why did CM Majhi post about Commonwealth Games 2026?
CM Mohan Charan Majhi extended wishes to Team India and specifically to five Odisha athletes ahead of their participation in Commonwealth Games 2026 , a common practice among state leaders to publicly back their athletes at major international events.
When is Commonwealth Games 2026?
The Commonwealth Games 2026 is underway with India fielding a large multi-sport contingent; CM Majhi 's message was posted on 25 July 2026 as Team India took the field.
