Indian boxer Narender Berwal recently recounted a light-hearted exchange with a Pakistani opponent to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The interaction took place at the Prime Minister’s residence in New Delhi, where Modi hosted Indian medallists from the Commonwealth Games 2026.
Berwal, who secured a silver medal in the men’s 90+ kg boxing category at the Commonwealth Games 2026, shared an anecdote from his boxing career during his conversation with the Prime Minister. The story involved a Pakistani pugilist he defeated at the 2015 World Military Games.
A memorable encounter at the World Military Games
Berwal recalled that after his victory over the Pakistani boxer at the 2015 World Military Games, his opponent expressed a humorous frustration with the name ‘Narendra’. According to Berwal, the Pakistani boxer was surprised by the repeated occurrence of the name in his life.
The Pakistani boxer’s remark, as quoted by Berwal, was: “Aapka naam Narender hai, aapke coach ka naam Narender hai, aapke Pradhan Mantri ka naam Narendra hai. Mujhe Narendra naam se nafrat ho gayi hai” (Your name is Narender, your coach’s name is Narender, and your Prime Minister’s name is Narendra. I have started hating the name Narendra).
This anecdote, shared in a video on PM Modi‘s YouTube channel, reportedly caused the Prime Minister to laugh. The incident highlighted a unique moment of camaraderie and humour between the athletes.
India’s strong performance at Commonwealth Games 2026
The gathering at the Prime Minister’s residence was to honour the Indian contingent who earned medals at the Commonwealth Games 2026. Prime Minister Modi congratulated the athletes for their dedication, hard work, and contributions to the nation’s sporting achievements.
India concluded its campaign at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow with a total of 39 medals, comprising 13 gold, 17 silver, and nine bronze. This performance placed India fourth in the overall medal standings, maintaining its streak of finishing within the top five at the Commonwealth Games since 2002.
The Glasgow Games concluded after 11 days of competition. During the closing ceremony, Scotland formally handed over the Commonwealth Games flag and ceremonial baton to India, which is set to host the landmark centenary edition of the multi-sport event in Ahmedabad in 2030.
Indian boxers achieved their best-ever performance at any Commonwealth Games edition, securing a total of 10 medals. This haul included seven gold and three silver medals, surpassing the previous record of six gold medals jointly held by England (1934 and 2018) and Canada (1986).
Among the 10 Indian boxers who returned with medals was Narender Berwal, whose silver medal contributed to this record-breaking achievement. The Indian boxing team’s success was a significant highlight of the nation’s overall performance at the Games.
The Commonwealth Games 2026 marked a significant milestone for Indian sports, showcasing the talent and dedication of its athletes on an international stage. The event concluded with the ceremonial handover to India for the 2030 edition in Ahmedabad.
Berwal, an Indian Army junior commissioned officer, also holds a bronze medal from the 2023 Asian Games and is a two-time Asian Championships medallist. His silver medal at the Glasgow Games was a notable addition to his career achievements.
The interaction between Berwal and Prime Minister Modi underscored the appreciation for the athletes’ efforts and the memorable moments they bring from international competitions. The Commonwealth Games 2026 concluded on August 9, 2026.
Source: hindustantimes.com
