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Sports
Rajasthan Lags Behind Manipur in Sports Promotion Post-CWG Medals
✍️ timesofindia.indiatimes.com
🗓 11 Aug 2026, 11:37 AM
👁 7
While Manipur has leveraged its recent Commonwealth Games medals to boost sports infrastructure and youth participation, Rajasthan remains stuck at the 2012 level, raising questions about state‑level sports promotion.
The Commonwealth Games (CWG) have long been seen as a platform for Indian states to showcase sporting talent and attract investment. In recent years, some states have used their medal haul to accelerate sports development, while others have lagged behind.
Rajasthan, whose last significant CWG success dates back to 2012, has not seen a commensurate boost in sports infrastructure. New training facilities remain limited, and funding for grassroots programs has stayed stagnant, leaving many aspiring athletes without adequate support.
In stark contrast, Manipur has turned its 2023 CWG medals into a catalyst for growth. The state government announced a multi‑million‑rupee plan to build new coaching centers, upgrade existing arenas, and launch talent‑scouting initiatives aimed at rural youth. These measures have already begun to increase participation and improve performance standards.
The divergent trajectories highlight the need for proactive policy frameworks that translate medal success into tangible development. Without sustained investment and strategic planning, states like Rajasthan risk falling further behind their more proactive counterparts.
Rajasthan, whose last significant CWG success dates back to 2012, has not seen a commensurate boost in sports infrastructure. New training facilities remain limited, and funding for grassroots programs has stayed stagnant, leaving many aspiring athletes without adequate support.
In stark contrast, Manipur has turned its 2023 CWG medals into a catalyst for growth. The state government announced a multi‑million‑rupee plan to build new coaching centers, upgrade existing arenas, and launch talent‑scouting initiatives aimed at rural youth. These measures have already begun to increase participation and improve performance standards.
The divergent trajectories highlight the need for proactive policy frameworks that translate medal success into tangible development. Without sustained investment and strategic planning, states like Rajasthan risk falling further behind their more proactive counterparts.