Prime Minister Narendra Modi has outlined a broad vision for sports development in India during an address at the Khelo India Samvaad, held on August 27, 2026 as part of National Sports Day celebrations. The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports facilitated the video conference dialogue, which connected the Prime Minister with youth and athletes from over 5,000 institutes across the country.
What the government is doing
The Prime Minister framed sports not merely as a route to medals, but as a tool for building national strength by combining India’s sporting talent with youth energy. He called for India to develop competitive capacity in sports where the country currently does not participate at international level, stating that expanding mastery across disciplines is essential to improving the medal tally.
The government has announced a long-term strategy targeting the 2036 Olympics to prepare Indian athletes to qualify and perform well across multiple sports. A major nationwide Talent Hunt programme will identify children aged 5 to 15 with sporting potential. The government has committed to providing whatever support these young athletes require.
Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya highlighted the MyBharat platform, which has enrolled more than 2.4 crore youth. He also stressed the role of the National Sports Governance Act in ensuring transparency, accountability and fair opportunity for talent development.
During the event, Olympic shooter Gagan Narang and 2024 Paralympic bronze medallist Sheetal Devi shared their experiences. Both emphasised improvements in athlete support systems and changing societal attitudes towards sports participation and para-athletes.
What this means for you
Young people aged 5 to 15 with sporting interests can now participate in the government’s national Talent Hunt programme. The focus on developing athletes across multiple disciplines means more young Indians may find support and resources to pursue sports careers. The emphasis on sports governance through transparency suggests clearer, fairer processes for athlete selection and development at various levels.