PM Modi Calls for Stronger Sports Ecosystem
At Khelo India Dialogue, PM stresses grassroots talent, Olympic preparation and youth participation
- PM Modi said Khelo India is helping nurture sporting talent across the country.
- He called for India to expand participation beyond traditional Olympic sports.
- A national talent hunt for children aged 5–15 was highlighted for the 2036 Olympics.
- PM urged youth to embrace sports for fitness, resilience and nation-building.
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 27th Aug: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday participated in the Khelo India Dialogue via video conference and called for greater youth participation in sports as part of the effort to build a Viksit Bharat.
Ahead of National Sports Day on August 29, Modi said Khelo India has emerged as an important platform for identifying and supporting sporting talent across the country. He stressed that sports should not be viewed only through the lens of medals but as a means of building confidence, discipline and resilience among young people.
The Prime Minister said India must expand its participation across a wider range of Olympic disciplines, noting that several sports in which other countries win medals have limited participation from India. He called for developing specialised sporting ecosystems based on the strengths and geography of different districts.
For the 2036 Olympics, Modi stressed the need to identify potential athletes at an early age. He highlighted the proposed national talent hunt for children between 5 and 15 years, with selection based on sporting interest and physical suitability.
He also emphasised strengthening sports universities, advanced training centres, sports science, coaching and international cooperation. According to Modi, support should be available to athletes from talent identification through their journey to the global stage.
Highlighting the wider social impact of sports, the Prime Minister said sporting activity can help young people stay away from substance abuse and contribute to a healthier society. He also pointed to growing career opportunities in areas such as sports technology, equipment design, medicine, nutrition, psychology and analytics.
Calling for stronger grassroots participation, Modi said schools should treat physical activity as an integral part of education. He urged families and institutions to encourage young people to spend more time on playgrounds and sports centres.
