Manipur CM felicitates Mirabai Chanu, Roshibina Devi for Asian Games silvers
Synopsis
Manipur celebrated two Asian Games silver medallists on home soil as CM Yumnam Khemchand Singh felicitated weightlifter Mirabai Chanu and Wushu player Roshibina Devi in Imphal. Beyond the honours, the state announced enhanced cash rewards — ₹20 lakh for silver — and signalled an MoU for a dedicated Weightlifting Sports Academy, marking a concrete policy shift to back its elite athletes.
Key Takeaways
Manipur CM Yumnam Khemchand Singh felicitated Saikhom Mirabai Chanu and Naorem Roshibina Devi in Imphal on 1 October 2026 .
Chanu won silver in women's 48 kg weightlifting ; Roshibina Devi won silver in women's Sanda 60 kg at the Asian Games, Aichi-Nagoya .
Manipur has enhanced cash rewards: ₹25 lakh (gold), ₹20 lakh (silver), ₹15 lakh (bronze), ₹5 lakh (participant).
An MoU for a Weightlifting Sports Academy is set to be signed soon between the state government and the academy.
CM Singh flagged multiple federations per discipline as a selection process challenge and said future athlete assistance depends on improved law and order in the state.
Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Thursday, 1 October 2026, formally felicitated Olympic champion weightlifter Saikhom Mirabai Chanu and Wushu athlete Naorem Roshibina Devi at Imphal, celebrating their return to the state after claiming silver medals at the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. Chanu secured silver in the women's 48 kg weightlifting category, while Roshibina Devi claimed silver in the women's Sanda 60 kg event.
CM's Message to the Athletes
Chief Minister Singh congratulated both athletes for their standout performances and for bringing distinction to Manipur and India on the continental stage. The two medallists, in turn, expressed gratitude at being received by the Chief Minister, saying the warmth and support of the people of Manipur strengthened their resolve for future competitions.
Enhanced Cash Rewards for Medallists
The Chief Minister confirmed that the state government has revised and enhanced its cash incentive structure for Asian Games medallists. The new rewards are fixed at ₹25 lakh for gold, ₹20 lakh for silver, ₹15 lakh for bronze, and ₹5 lakh for participants. The revision signals a stronger institutional commitment to rewarding elite sporting achievement from the state.
Proposed Sports Infrastructure and Academy
Singh outlined his intent to develop sports complexes in rural areas of Manipur, noting that Imphal city is becoming increasingly congested and that decentralised facilities would give athletes from across the state better access to quality infrastructure. On the proposed Weightlifting Sports Academy, the Chief Minister stated that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the state government and the academy would be signed shortly, following discussions with the concerned Minister and officials. He also said he would examine the matter of a promotion for Saikhom Mirabai Chanu.
Governance Challenges and Club Contributions
Chief Minister Singh acknowledged that the formation of multiple federations or associations for a single sports discipline in Manipur creates complications in the player selection process for national and international competitions — a structural concern the state has faced for some years. He also recognised the significant role played by local clubs and Civil Society Organisations in nurturing young talent and helping athletes fulfil their aspirations. Notably, Singh tied any future increase in assistance to athletes to an improvement in the state's law and order situation.
Who Attended the Felicitation
The event was attended by Youth Affairs and Sports (YAS) Minister Konthoujam Govindas Singh, Lamlai Assembly Constituency MLA Khongbantabam Ibomcha, Home Commissioner N. Ashok Kumar, YAS Director Mayengbam Veto Singh, and the parents of both silver medallists, among others. The broad representation underscored the political and social significance the state attaches to its sporting ambassadors.
With an MoU for the Weightlifting Sports Academy in the pipeline and enhanced cash rewards now in place, Manipur is positioning itself to build more systematically on the success of athletes like Chanu and Roshibina Devi ahead of future international competitions.
Point of View
But the CM's own caveat — that greater athlete assistance is conditional on law and order improving — exposes a structural fragility that no amount of prize money can paper over. The multiple-federation problem, flagged without a resolution, has quietly derailed selections before; acknowledging it publicly is a start, but a timeline to fix it was conspicuously absent. Manipur produces disproportionate sporting talent; whether the state can build the governance infrastructure to match remains the harder, less celebrated challenge.
NationPress
2 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What medals did Mirabai Chanu and Roshibina Devi win at the Asian Games?
Saikhom Mirabai Chanu won a silver medal in the women's 48 kg weightlifting category, and Naorem Roshibina Devi won a silver medal in the women's Sanda 60 kg Wushu event at the Asian Games held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
What are the new cash rewards for Manipur's Asian Games medallists?
The Manipur government has fixed revised cash incentives at ₹25 lakh for gold, ₹20 lakh for silver, ₹15 lakh for bronze, and ₹5 lakh for participants at the Asian Games. The enhancement was announced by CM Yumnam Khemchand Singh at the felicitation event on 1 October 2026.
What is the proposed Weightlifting Sports Academy in Manipur?
It is a dedicated sports academy being planned by the Manipur state government to support weightlifting. Chief Minister Singh confirmed that an MoU between the state government and the academy would be signed soon, following discussions with relevant officials and ministers.
Why did the Manipur CM raise the issue of multiple sports federations?
Chief Minister Singh noted that the existence of more than one federation or association for a single sports discipline in Manipur creates complications in the selection of players for national and international competitions. He flagged this as an ongoing structural challenge but did not announce a specific resolution timeline.
What infrastructure plans did the Manipur CM announce for sports development?
CM Singh expressed his intent to establish sports complexes in the rural areas of Manipur, citing increasing congestion in Imphal city as a reason to decentralise facilities. These complexes are aimed at giving athletes from across the state easier access to quality sporting infrastructure.
