NEW DELHI — Addressing the nation via video conferencing at the Khelo India Dialogue, Prime Minister Narendra Modi outlined a strategic roadmap to transform India’s sports landscape, announcing a targeted talent hunt campaign focusing on youth aged 5 to 15 to build a competitive athlete pipeline for the 2036 Olympic Games.
Connecting with Cabinet Ministers, Chief Ministers, sports personalities, and MY Bharat youth volunteers, the Prime Minister emphasized that sports development is central to building a Viksit Bharat (Developed India) by shaping national youth potential.
Targeting Olympic Participation and New Sporting Disciplines
Highlighting historical gaps in India’s international sports footprint, the Prime Minister called for expanding athletic focus beyond traditional strengths:
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Expanding Discipline Coverage: Noting that Indian athletes historically competed in only about half of all Olympic events—such as participating in just 13 disciplines at the 2012 Games—PM Modi stressed the need for mastery in underrepresented global sports.
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Capitalizing on Regional Demographics and Geography: The Prime Minister directed sports administrators to leverage India’s extensive coastline and mountain terrains to develop specialized ecosystems for winter sports, water sports, surfing, and sport climbing.
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Nationwide Talent Hunt (Ages 5–15): The government will roll out a comprehensive talent identification initiative to evaluate both interest and physical aptitude, ensuring long-term athletic preparation for the 2036 Olympic Games.
Building a Modern Sports Ecosystem and Professional Opportunities
PM Modi reaffirmed the Union Government’s commitment to establishing a 21st-century sports ecosystem by building dedicated sports universities, modernizing training infrastructure, and integrating sports science, analytics, and psychology:
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Expanding Career Avenues: Beyond athletic performance, the Prime Minister highlighted growing professional opportunities in sports technology, equipment design, sports medicine, nutrition, and event management.
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Socio-Cultural Transformation: Calling for playgrounds to take precedence over digital screens, PM Modi urged educational institutions to embed sports periods directly into core life routines, framing physical activity as a key safeguard against substance abuse.
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Inspiration from Para-Athletes: Praising the achievements of Paralympic medalists—including Sheetal Devi, Avani Lekhara, Sumit Antil, Nitesh Kumar, and Jhandu Kumar—the Prime Minister highlighted how athletic success transforms family prestige and inspires societal resilience.
