NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said India must focus on sports in which it has traditionally had little or no participation if it aims to significantly improve its medal tally at future Olympic Games.
Addressing the Khelo India Samvaad through video conferencing ahead of National Sports Day, the Prime Minister said India had historically competed in only a limited number of Olympic disciplines and needed to broaden its sporting base.
Referring to the 2012 Olympics, Modi said India participated in only 13 sports, leaving the country absent from more than 20 medal events. “To increase our medal tally, we will have to achieve mastery in these sports as well,” he said.
The Prime Minister highlighted India’s vast coastline and mountainous terrain, saying these regions offer potential for sports such as surfing, sports climbing and winter sports, where the country currently has limited international presence. He called for identifying districts with specific sporting strengths and developing specialised ecosystems around them.
Modi said preparations for the 2036 Olympics should begin immediately through systematic identification and nurturing of talent. He reiterated the government’s talent hunt programme for children aged between five and 15 years and assured support for promising athletes.
He said the government was strengthening the country’s sports infrastructure through sports universities, training centres and international collaborations aimed at improving coaching, sports science and athlete development.
The Prime Minister described sports as a key component of the vision for a developed India, saying their value extends beyond winning medals. He said sporting success contributes to personality development, community pride and national recognition.
Modi also highlighted the achievements of para-athletes, including Avani Lekhara, Sumit Antil, Nitesh Kumar and Sheetal Devi, saying their accomplishments inspire society and demonstrate resilience and determination.
Emphasising the role of sports in social development, he said athletics help promote discipline, fitness and healthy lifestyles while also serving as an effective tool against substance abuse among youth.
The Prime Minister noted the growing acceptance of sports as a career and pointed to emerging opportunities in areas such as sports technology, medicine, nutrition, psychology and analytics.
Calling for greater grassroots participation, Modi urged schools to treat sports as an integral part of education and encouraged young people to actively engage in sports and fitness activities.
The nationwide Khelo India Samvaad programme was organised as part of National Sports Day celebrations and connected youth, sportspersons and volunteers from across the country through virtual interactions
