MP govt awards ₹25 lakh cash, govt jobs to Yamini Maurya and Ajay Babu for CWG silver
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
The Madhya Pradesh government has announced a cash reward of ₹25 lakh each and government jobs for judo player Yamini Maurya from Sagar and weightlifter Ajay Babu, both of whom clinched silver medals at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2026. The announcement was made on 1 August by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and Sports and Youth Welfare Minister Vishvas Kailash Sarang.
Rewards Under State Sports Policy
Sports Minister Vishvas Kailash Sarang clarified that under Madhya Pradesh's existing sports policy, athletes who win silver medals at the Commonwealth Games are entitled to an incentive of ₹25 lakh and are eligible for government employment as per prescribed rules. The rewards are not discretionary — they are structured entitlements under the policy framework.
Minister Sarang personally reached out to Yamini Maurya via video call to congratulate her and expressed hope that she would go on to win gold at future international competitions.
Athletes' Performances at Glasgow CWG 2026
Yamini Maurya secured silver in the women's 57 kg judo event, delivering what officials described as an outstanding performance on the international stage. Ajay Babu earned his silver in weightlifting, further adding to Madhya Pradesh's medal tally at the Games.
Minister Sarang described the duo's achievements as a matter of immense pride for the entire state and expressed confidence that athletes from Madhya Pradesh would continue to deliver strong results in future international competitions.
CM Yadav Hails Indian Athletes Broadly
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav extended congratulations to all Indian medal winners at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2026. He specifically acknowledged Neeraj Chopra for winning silver and Yashvir Singh for securing bronze in the men's javelin throw, as well as Tejaswin Shankar for claiming bronze in the decathlon.
Yadav remarked that the discipline, dedication, and hard work demonstrated by these athletes serve as a powerful inspiration for millions of young people across the country, and that their performances have significantly enhanced India's prestige on the global stage.
State's Commitment to Sports Infrastructure
Minister Sarang emphasised that the Madhya Pradesh government remains committed to providing world-class sports facilities, modern training infrastructure, and comprehensive support systems to enable athletes to excel at both national and international levels. The cash rewards and job guarantees are part of this broader policy of athlete welfare and incentivisation.
With the Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2026 still under way, all eyes will be on whether more athletes from the state can add to its medal count in the days ahead.