The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has launched a nationwide dialogue initiative called “Khel Ki Baat PM Ke Saath” to engage young people in conversations about India’s sporting future. Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy addressed the event at The English and Foreign Languages University in Hyderabad on 27 August 2026, calling for a transformation in how India approaches sports and athlete development. Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated through video conference to outline a vision for building a modern sports ecosystem aimed at preparing India’s youth for the 2036 Olympic Games.
The Dialogue and Its Reach
More than 1,500 educational institutions across the country are participating in the Khelo India Dialogue. The initiative provides a platform for young people to share ideas directly with the Prime Minister and contribute to shaping the future of Indian sports.
Speaking at the event, Minister Kishan Reddy outlined the government’s core principles: every child should have the chance to play, every talent should get the opportunity to excel, and every athlete should receive the support needed to compete internationally. He pointed to recent Indian sporting achievements including Neeraj Chopra’s Olympic gold medal in athletics at Tokyo 2020, the men’s hockey team’s bronze medal at Tokyo after 41 years, and Manu Bhaker’s two bronze medals at Paris 2024.
The Minister emphasised that the government’s approach to sports has fundamentally changed. Sports is now viewed not as an extracurricular activity but as a tool for youth development, health, discipline, employment, national pride and nation-building. He noted substantial increases in government investment in sports infrastructure and training facilities since 2014.
The Minister stressed that preparations for the 2036 Olympics should begin immediately across schools, colleges, universities, academies, playgrounds and Khelo India Centres. He highlighted that talent can emerge from villages and towns, not just major cities, and called on young people to dream big, train hard and believe in themselves.
What this means for you
If you are a student or young person interested in sports, your educational institution may be part of this national dialogue, offering direct engagement with policy-makers about sports development. The government is signalling that sports training and education can be pursued together, and that investment in sports infrastructure will increase. Talented athletes from anywhere in the country now have a clearer pathway to national and international recognition, with the 2036 Olympics being positioned as a concrete target for India’s next generation of champions.