The Prime Minister addressed the Khelo India Dialogue through video conferencing on 27 August 2026, bringing together athletes, state officials, parliamentarians and youth volunteers across the country. The event took place two days before National Sports Day on 29 August, which honours Major Dhyan Chand. The dialogue forms part of a broader sports vision for India that the PM outlined on Independence Day this year.
Key Points from the Address
The Prime Minister highlighted a significant gap in India’s Olympic participation. As of the 2012 Olympics, India competed in only 13 sports out of more than 30 that feature in the Games. Over 20 Olympic sports see no Indian participation, despite India having the geography and demographics suited to sports like surfing, sports climbing, water sports and winter sports.
To address this, the PM announced a major talent hunt campaign targeting children aged 5 to 15 years. The aim is to identify not just which sport interests a child, but which sport suits their physical capabilities, so training can be tailored accordingly. The government committed to providing full support to this initiative.
The PM stressed that sports success extends far beyond medals. When an athlete succeeds, their family gains recognition, their school and district gain prestige, and their region becomes known globally. Multiple sporting achievements can put a city or region on the world sports map and change how the world perceives it.
The dialogue will feed ideas into policy-making on sports ecosystems, talent development, governance and how sports contributes to a developed India. The PM called on participants to use this platform to share new ideas.
What This Means for You
If you are a young person interested in sports, new opportunities are emerging in equipment design, sports technology, sports medicine, nutrition, psychology and analytics. Sports is now recognised as a viable career path, not just a hobby or co-curricular activity. The government is building modern training centres and sports universities to support talent from identification through to world-class competition. Your participation in sports, whether competitive or recreational, contributes to building a stronger sports culture in your community.