India’s sporting profile has witnessed a phenomenal rise over the last 11 years under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Sports in the country have undergone a transformative change driven by institutional reforms, grassroots development, and inclusive participation. This shift has been shaped by commitment, infrastructure, and national pride, with the country witnessing a silent yet powerful revolution in the field of sports. This revolution could be seen in both policy terms and performance metrics.

This transformation is deliberate and a result of a long-term strategy driven by PM Modi’s engagement with the athletes, the creation of world-class infrastructure, enhanced budgetary support, and targeted schemes. Today, sports are part of India’s development story, and symbolise aspiration, unity, and global ambition.

From Vision to Action: A Government Champions Sports

PM Modi has for long articulated his clear vision for sports as a nation-building force. He has reiterated the role sports have in promoting unity, inspiring the youth, and positioning India as a confident and emerging global leader.

His vision had translated into action through flagship programs like Khelo India and the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS). These initiatives have reimagined the sports ecosystem in the country, turning India into a serious sporting nation.

Infrastructure That Inspires

The government has prioritised investments in sports infrastructure as a foundation for long-term success. This is evident by the budgetary allocation for Youth Affairs and Sports growing manifold times. Funding support has resulted in concrete results across the country.

A shift towards creating a state-of-the-art facilities accessible to young athletes is being driven by the approval of a total of 323 new sports infrastructure projects supported by an investment of Rs. 3074 crore. To offer local training and mentorship opportunities, 1041 Khelo India Centres (KICs) have been established across the country. About 32 Khelo India Centres of Excellence (KISCE), along with the accreditation of 301 sports academies, have strengthened the sporting ecosystem further. KISCEs are providing athletes with specialised coaching, nutrition, and training support to the athletes.
Institutionalisation of sports has made great strides in the last 11 years. A National Sports University in Manipur has been established – providing academic programs in sports, science, coaching, and performance. The Major Dhyan Chand Sports University in Uttar Pradesh is another feather in the government’s cap – reinforcing the government’s commitment to academic and practical excellence in sports.

These developments reflect a structured, mission-driven approach to sports infrastructure, in line with PM Modi’s vision of providing support to athletes at every stage of their journeys.

Empowering Athletes: From Grassroots to Global Arena

India’s rise in the sporting arena has been shaped by the identification and nurturing of young talent. A key role in transforming raw talent into potential medal-winning performers has been played by the Khelo India programme. Under the programme, over 2781 athletes have received training, equipment, medical care, and financial support.

The impact has been tremendous – with 124 of those trained under the programme contributing to India’s 42-medal haul at the 2022 Asian Games, and 28 representing India at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Khelo India athletes have set around 6,000 national records along with 1,400 international ones – reflective of the progress India’s grassroots programmes have made. India’s performances on the world stage mirror this progress.

At the Tokyo Olympics, India bagged 7 medals, and at the Paris Olympics, India saw another solid performance with 6 medals. In the Paris Paralympics, India won 29 medals, posting its best-ever tally.

Schemes for Women, Rural and Youth Inclusion

India’s sports transformation is about inclusion, too. The ASMITA Women’s Leagues have brought structured sporting opportunities for women across 20 disciplines, promoting their participation and amplifying their visibility.

To ensure early talent discovery, programs like Khelo India Rising Talent Identification (KIRTI) have conducted over 1.8 lakh assessments. To engage communities and encourage grassroots participation, the government has distributed sports materials to over 11,000 youth clubs.

Leadership That Listens, Acts, and Projects Global Strength

The Prime Minister’s personal engagement with athletes has helped facilitate a culture of respect, encouragement, and recognition of sporting talent. PM Modi’s support for para-athletes, women’s teams, and emerging champions has inspired confidence across disciplines. At the international level, the Modi government has leveraged sports as a tool of diplomacy and soft power. The government has elevated sports as a symbol of national identity and ambition – by promoting indigenous games and increasing the country’s presence in global sporting events. Through initiatives like Khelo India, the country has hosted structured national sporting events, nurtured talent, and showcased the country’s rising strength on the world stage.

A Decade of Champion-Like Delivery

The Indian perspective on sports has been redefined in the last 11 years under the leadership of PM Modi. India’s sporting journey is generating consistent and clear results, both at home and on the world stage, building a generation of confident athletes and a nation ready to thrive and lead in global sports.
This is the story of India’s sporting transformation, which is powered by vision, infrastructure, opportunity, and belief. India, under PM Modi, is competing to win and lead.