Puri hails sprinters Gurindervir, Animesh on Mann Ki Baat
Synopsis
Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri spotlighted sprinters Gurindervir Singh and Animesh Kujur on Mann Ki Baat after they shattered India's men's 100m national record three times in two days at Federation Cup 2026 in Ranchi, with Gurindervir becoming the first Indian to run sub-10.10 seconds.
Key Takeaways
Sardar Gurindervir Singh became the first Indian to break the 10.10-second barrier in the men's 100m, clocking 10.09 seconds at Federation Cup 2026 in Ranchi .
The national record fell three times in two days at the same event, with Animesh Kujur setting it earlier before Gurindervir surpassed it.
Both athletes appeared on PM Modi's Mann Ki Baat programme to share their experiences, reaching a vast national audience.
Gurindervir cited the inspiration of cleaning and polishing trophies won by his father and grandfather ; Animesh spoke of training through the COVID-19 pandemic .
The performances are seen as a product of sustained government investment through Khelo India (launched 2017 ) and the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (launched 2014 ).
Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri amplified the story on 31 May 2026 , framing it as evidence of a thriving domestic sports ecosystem.
Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Sunday, 31 May 2026 highlighted the appearance of two Indian sprint record-breakers on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat, celebrating the achievements of athletes Sardar Gurindervir Singh and Animesh Kujur at the Federation Cup 2026 in Ranchi.
Context
Puri's post, headlined with the popular Hindi idiom 'Kheloge kudoge banoge nawab' (meaning 'those who play and leap will rise to greatness'), drew attention to a segment on Mann Ki Baat in which the two sprinters recounted their journeys to the national record. Gurindervir Singh became the first Indian to breach the 10.10-second barrier in the men's 100 metres, clocking a blistering 10.09 seconds. Animesh Kujur had broken the national record earlier at the same event, only for Gurindervir to surpass it — meaning the record fell three times in two days at Ranchi.
On Mann Ki Baat, Animesh described how he kept his training alive through the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic, while Gurindervir spoke of the inspiration drawn at home, where he regularly cleaned and polished the trophies won by his father and grandfather — a detail that resonated widely on social media.
Policy Backdrop
The Federation Cup is an annual national athletics championship organised by the Athletics Federation of India and has increasingly served as a proving ground for elite domestic talent. The Khelo India scheme, launched in 2017, was designed precisely to build such a pipeline — funding grassroots infrastructure, identifying talent and supporting state-level competitions that feed into senior national events.
Complementing Khelo India, the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), introduced in 2014, provides direct financial and training support to athletes deemed medal prospects at the Olympics and other major international competitions. Together, the two programmes represent a sustained shift in public investment toward building a competitive sports ecosystem from school level to senior international stage.
Stakeholders and Impact
For young athletes across India, the visibility that comes from being featured on Mann Ki Baat — which commands a vast national audience — can translate into sponsorship interest, state government recognition and inclusion in elite support schemes. Both Gurindervir and Animesh now stand at the threshold of potential selection for upcoming international athletics meets where India seeks to improve its sprint credentials.
State athletics federations, particularly in Jharkhand and Punjab — the home states of the two athletes — are also likely to face renewed pressure to invest in sprint infrastructure and coaching. The broader athletics community sees back-to-back domestic record-breaking as evidence that the talent pipeline is maturing.
What's Next
Attention will now turn to whether Gurindervir Singh and Animesh Kujur are extended support under TOPS or Khelo India's elite pathway ahead of the next major international athletics calendar. Any announcement by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports on their inclusion in centrally-funded training programmes will be closely watched. Their Mann Ki Baat appearance signals that the government regards their performances as emblematic of a wider national sports revival — making further institutional backing likely.
Point of View
Signalling a cultural rebranding of athletics as a path to national prestige. Featuring these athletes on Mann Ki Baat — and then having ministers echo it on social media — is a well-worn template that converts individual sporting merit into a collective policy win. The broader arc here is India's bid to establish sprint credibility before the next Olympic cycle, and domestic record-breaking moments are being consciously woven into that political story.
NationPress
15 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Sardar Gurindervir Singh and what record did he break?
Sardar Gurindervir Singh is an Indian sprinter who became the first Indian to run the 100 metres in under 10.10 seconds, clocking 10.09 seconds at the Federation Cup 2026 in Ranchi, Jharkhand.
What is the Federation Cup in athletics?
The Federation Cup is an annual national-level athletics championship organised by the Athletics Federation of India, widely regarded as one of the most competitive domestic track and field events where national records are frequently set.
What did Animesh Kujur say on Mann Ki Baat?
Animesh Kujur spoke on Mann Ki Baat about how he managed to continue his training regimen during the COVID-19 pandemic, crediting consistent practice as key to his national record-breaking performance at Federation Cup 2026.
What is Khelo India and how does it support athletes like Gurindervir?
Khelo India is a Central government scheme launched in 2017 to promote mass sports participation, build infrastructure and identify grassroots talent, creating a structured pathway from school-level competition to senior national and international events.
Why did Hardeep Singh Puri post about a sprinting record if he is the Petroleum Minister?
Senior Cabinet ministers routinely amplify government-aligned achievements across sectors on social media; Puri's post reflects the broader practice of celebrating milestones that reinforce the government's sports development narrative, particularly those featured on PM Modi's Mann Ki Baat.
