Mirabai Chanu felicitated in Imphal as Manipur unveils sports recruitment policy
Synopsis
Manipur has quietly rewritten its athlete welfare rules: silver and bronze medallists can now claim government jobs, not just gold winners. At a ceremony honouring Mirabai Chanu and other Glasgow CWG 2026 medallists, the state also handed appointment letters to 71 National Games gold medallists — a rare, concrete follow-through on sports policy promises.
Key Takeaways
Manipur CM Yumnam Khemchand Singh felicitated Saikhom Mirabai Chanu and other Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2026 medallists on 22 August at Khuman Lampak Indoor Stadium, Imphal .
Gold medallists received ₹20 lakh , silver medallists ₹15 lakh , bronze medallists ₹10 lakh , and participants ₹4 lakh each.
Appointment letters were distributed to 71 National Games gold medallists as Physical Education Teachers under the YAS Department .
A new Cabinet-approved sports recruitment policy now extends government job eligibility to silver and bronze medallists , not just gold winners.
Four athletes and three Asian Games medallists also received appointment letters under the Home Department .
Weightlifting champion Saikhom Mirabai Chanu was felicitated by Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on 22 August at a ceremony held at Khuman Lampak Indoor Stadium in Imphal, honouring Manipuri medallists and participants from the Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2026. The event also marked the launch of a new state sports recruitment policy and the distribution of government appointment letters to National Games gold medallists.
Athletes Honoured and Cash Awards
Mirabai Chanu, who returned to Imphal exclusively for the occasion, was joined by Chanambam Rishikanta Singh — silver medallist and the first male weightlifting medallist from Manipur — Mayengbam Jadumani Singh, silver medallist in boxing, and Sorokhaibam Bindyarani Devi, bronze medallist in women's weightlifting.
Cash rewards were structured by medal tier: gold medallists received ₹20 lakh and a certificate of recognition, silver medallists ₹15 lakh each, and bronze medallists ₹10 lakh. Athletes who participated in the Glasgow Games without winning medals received ₹4 lakh each along with a certificate. Coaches accompanying the athletes were also recognised at the ceremony.
Appointment Letters and Government Jobs
Chief Minister Singh distributed appointment letters to 71 gold medallists from the 36th and 37th National Games for recruitment as Physical Education Teachers under the Youth Affairs and Sports (YAS) Department. An additional four athletes received letters under the Home Department, as did three Asian Games medallists under the same department.
New Sports Recruitment Policy Announced
In a significant policy shift decided at a recent Cabinet meeting, the state government announced that silver and bronze medallists would now also be eligible for government employment — not just gold medallists as was previously the case. Singh framed the move as recognition of the broader contribution athletes make to Manipur's image, particularly at a time when the state has faced scrutiny over law and order concerns in recent years.
Singh, who identified himself as a 5 Dan Black Belt Taekwondo player and a pioneer of the sport in Northeast India, credited local clubs, families, and players for the athletes' success. He noted that the Glasgow Commonwealth Games had helped project a positive image of Manipur nationally and internationally.
What Senior Officials Said
Deputy Chief Minister Losii Dikho said Manipur's youth were excelling in sports and bringing glory to the state. Chief Secretary Puneet Kumar Goel expressed pride in honouring athletes who had represented both Manipur and India with distinction, pointing to the state's deep-rooted sporting culture.
The programme was organised by the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports and was attended by Members of the Legislative Assembly, Daljit Singh Chawdhary, Vice Chancellor of the National Sports University, the Secretary of Youth Affairs and Sports, coaches, and players.
With the new recruitment policy now in place, Manipur's approach to athlete welfare could serve as a model for other states seeking to institutionalise rewards beyond the podium.
Point of View
Leaving the majority of elite athletes without a safety net. The timing is notable: the state has spent years under a cloud of internal conflict, and the government is visibly using sporting achievement as a narrative of normalcy and pride. Whether the policy is backed by adequate cadre positions in the YAS and Home departments, or whether it risks becoming a headline without absorption capacity, will determine its real impact. The presence of the National Sports University Vice Chancellor at the event also hints at a broader institutional alignment worth watching.
NationPress
23 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was felicitated at the Manipur sports ceremony on 22 August 2026?
Weightlifting champion Saikhom Mirabai Chanu, silver medallist Chanambam Rishikanta Singh, boxing silver medallist Mayengbam Jadumani Singh, and bronze medallist Sorokhaibam Bindyarani Devi were among those honoured at the ceremony held at Khuman Lampak Indoor Stadium in Imphal.
What cash rewards did Manipur announce for Glasgow Commonwealth Games medallists?
Gold medallists received ₹20 lakh each, silver medallists ₹15 lakh, and bronze medallists ₹10 lakh. Athletes who participated in the Glasgow Games without winning a medal received ₹4 lakh each, along with a certificate of recognition.
What is Manipur's new sports recruitment policy?
The Cabinet-approved policy extends government job eligibility to silver and bronze medallists, not just gold medallists as was previously the case. It was announced by Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh at the felicitation ceremony on 22 August.
How many athletes received government appointment letters at the event?
A total of 71 National Games gold medallists received appointment letters as Physical Education Teachers under the Youth Affairs and Sports Department. Four additional athletes and three Asian Games medallists also received letters under the Home Department.
Why did Mirabai Chanu return to Imphal for the event?
Mirabai Chanu made a special trip to Imphal exclusively to attend the felicitation programme, according to reports from the ceremony. She was honoured alongside other Manipuri medallists from the Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2026.
