Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today participated in Khelo India Dialogue via video conference. The Prime Minister warmly congratulated the organizers, Union Cabinet members, Chief Ministers, and lakhs of My Bharat volunteers for orchestrating such a magnificent event. Noting the upcoming National Sports Day on August 29, he extended his advance wishes to the youth and the entire sporting community across the nation."This day is also to remember a great child of Mother India, Major Dhyan Chand ji," remarked Shri Modi.
Recalling the historic tour of the Indian Army's hockey team to New Zealand a century ago, the Prime Minister highlighted Major Dhyan Chand's foundational role in establishing bilateral sports relations. Mentioning his own recent visit to New Zealand where he honored the legend's memory, he emphasized the nation's ongoing commitment to enriching those historic ties."The foundation of relationships that Major Dhyan Chand ji laid, today India is continuously working for the prosperity of those relationships," affirmed Shri Modi.
Reflecting on the sports vision he recently unveiled from the Red Fort on Independence Day, the Prime Minister stressed that the value of sports extends far beyond simply winning medals. He described sports as a vital campaign to seamlessly integrate the nation's athletic and youth power toward building a Viksit Bharat ."I have always kept saying, those who play, will blossom," remarked Shri Modi.
Elaborating on the broader definition of success in sports, the Prime Minister explained that athletic achievement fundamentally fosters the blossoming of individual personality, familial pride, and national glory. He noted that a single player's success elevates the prestige of their school, district, and state, firmly placing local regions on the global map."Every district has the potential to make its mark on the global sports map. It is with an understanding of this immense potential, we have to take this Samvaad program forward," asserted Shri Modi.
Drawing attention to a significant challenge highlighted during his Independence Day address, the Prime Minister lamented India's historical non-participation in nearly half of all Olympic disciplines. Citing the 2012 Olympics where India competed in merely 13 sports, he emphasized that the nation misses out on a massive portion of the medal tally by ignoring over 20 global sporting events." To increase our medal tally, we will absolutely have to achieve mastery in these sports as well," asserted Shri Modi.
Highlighting immense untapped potential, the Prime Minister pointed out that despite possessing vast coastlines and mountainous regions perfectly suited for surfing, sports climbing, and winter sports, India remains globally invisible in these arenas. He called for a highly targeted approach to explore and develop specialized sporting ecosystems within diverse districts across the nation.
Outlining a long-term strategy for the 2036 Olympics, the Prime Minister stressed the urgent need to immediately identify and prepare athletes capable of qualifying across a wide spectrum of sports. He reiterated the launch of a massive national Talent Hunt targeting children aged 5 to 15, emphasizing that the selection process must prioritize both interest and specific physical fitness for respective disciplines."Whatever support is needed from the government for this, the government will walk shoulder to shoulder with you in it," affirmed Shri Modi.
Reaffirming the administration's commitment to building a modern, 21st-century sports ecosystem, the Prime Minister detailed the ongoing establishment of specialized sports universities and advanced training centers. He noted that the government is actively increasing international cooperation to share global best practices in sports science, training, and coaching."A system is being built in the country where, from identifying talent to taking it to the world stage, support is received at every level," observed Shri Modi.
Underscoring the government's seriousness toward athletic development, the Prime Minister described the Khelo India Samvaad not merely as a discussion, but as a critical platform to actively shape the nation's sports vision. He encouraged the youth to utilize this dialogue to connect their personal aspirations with national dreams, assuring them that their feedback on talent development and governance will directly influence policy."These very new ideas of youth power will become the strength for the realization of a Viksit Bharat ," affirmed Shri Modi.
Highlighting the profound societal benefits of sports, the Prime Minister noted that true sportsmanship is essential for fostering a healthy society, strong family structures, and a superior work culture. He emphasized that the athletic arena uniquely teaches individuals not just how to become champions, but how to resiliently face failures and rise again."Sports do not only teach us to become champions, but sports also teach us to become better competitors," remarked Shri Modi.
Praising the incredible transformative power of sports, the Prime Minister singled out the nation's Para Athletes for their profound ability to alter societal perspectives on life and adversity. He noted that the success of a specially-abled athlete fundamentally revitalizes their entire family, elevating the courage and dreams of parents and siblings who supported their early struggles.
Expressing deep personal inspiration, the Prime Minister celebrated the remarkable achievements of Para Athletes like archer Sheetal, double Paralympic medalist Avani Lekhara, Sumit Antil, Nitesh Kumar, and Jhandu Kumar. He noted that their victories bring immense pride to their home states and the entire nation."When I meet Avani, I feel very proud; every such companion inspires us," remarked Shri Modi.
Framing sports as a fundamental guarantee for a better quality of life, the Prime Minister cited the legendary centenarian athlete Fauja Singh as the ultimate example of lifelong fitness and athletic passion. He emphasized that Fauja Singh's life perfectly illustrates the deep interconnection between physical activity and overall well-being."His life is a very big inspiration of how sports and quality of life are interconnected," noted Shri Modi.
Shri Modi highlighted the critical societal challenge of substance abuse, and added that genuine engagement in sports inherently generates the willpower required to stay away from drugs. He praised athletics for playing a highly meaningful role in combating addiction among the youth."Today, when the challenge of addiction is so big before the youth, sports plays a very meaningful role in this too," asserted Shri Modi.
Celebrating the emergence of sports as a highly respected profession in India, the Prime Minister noted a cultural shift where citizens are actively participating in triathlons, 5K and 10K races, and fitness challenges like Hyrox. He observed that from mastering headstands to casually playing pickleball, sports are successfully cementing their place in daily routines alongside academic and career pursuits."This is the change, this is the transformation, due to which trust in India's sports future is also increasing," affirmed Shri Modi.
Stressing the necessity of grassroots engagement, the Prime Minister asserted that a true sports culture is built only when schools prioritize physical education as a core component of life rather than a mere co-curricular activity. He noted that institutionalizing sports fundamentally expands the national talent pool while ensuring young athletes receive crucial family support. "Sports centres are more important than screens. Playgrounds are more important than PlayStations," asserted Shri Modi.
Expressing absolute faith in the capability of India's youth, the Prime Minister declared that their active participation, whether on the field or in society, constitutes the true strength of the nation. He highlighted the massive expansion of career opportunities within the sporting sector, driven by new equipment designs, advanced sports technology, sports medicine, nutrition, psychology, and analytics. "You should not miss these opportunities; therefore, in this dialogue, put your ideas forward openly," asserted Shri Modi.
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मैंने इस 15 अगस्त को लाल किले से भारत का स्पोर्ट्स विजन देश के सामने रखा है।
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 27, 2026
जब मैं स्पोर्ट्स की बात करता हूं... तो ये केवल मेडल जीतने तक सीमित नहीं है।
ये विकसित भारत के निर्माण में... भारत की खेलशक्ति और युवाशक्ति को एक साथ जोड़ने का अभियान है: PM @narendramodi
ओलंपिक्स में जितने अलग-अलग स्पोर्ट्स होते हैं... भारत की टीमें उसमें से आधे स्पोर्ट्स में हिस्सा ही नहीं लेती।
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 27, 2026
यानि मेडल टैली के एक बहुत बड़े हिस्से के लिए तो हम कंपीट ही नहीं करते।
और दशकों से ऐसा ही चला आ रहा है: PM @narendramodi
दुनिया के दूसरे देश उन खेलों में मेडल जीतते हैं और हम उनमें हिस्सा ही नहीं लेते।
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 27, 2026
हमें मेडल टैली बढ़ाने के लिए इन खेलों में भी महारत हासिल करनी ही होगी: PM @narendramodi
खेल हमें केवल champion बनना नहीं सिखाता... बल्कि खेल हमें एक बेहतर competitor बनना भी सिखाता है।
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 27, 2026
उठना, गिरना... गिरकर फिर से उठना... Sports, ये ज़ज्बा हमारे भीतर लाता है: PM @narendramodi
Screens से ज्यादा... Sports centres की अहमियत है।
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 27, 2026
Play station से ज्यादा... Playgrounds की अहमियत है: PM @narendramodi
