Modi calls for wider sporting footprint; Gagan Narang shares journey

Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for India to expand its sporting footprint and master more disciplines to boost its medal tally. Addressing Khelo India Samvaad, he outlined the 2036 Olympics strategy and announced a national talent hunt targeting children aged five to 15

Hyderabad: Prime Minister Narendra Modi touched upon the deeper purpose of sports in nation-building.

Participating in the Khelo India Samvaad via video conference on Thursday, Mr. Modi said, “When I talk about sports, it isn’t just about winning medals; it is a campaign to integrate India’s sports power and youth energy to build a Viksit Bharat. I have always said, “Those who play will blossom.”

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Calling for India to expand its footprint across global sporting disciplines, the Prime Minister said, “Other countries are winning medals in sports where India does not even participate; we must master these sports as well.”

“To increase our medal tally, we will absolutely have to achieve mastery in these sports,” Mr Modi said.

The Prime Minister outlined India’s long-term strategy for the 2036 Olympics, so that a vast number of Indian athletes are capable, not only to qualify, but also to excel in a wide range of disciplines.

The PM informed the youth of the launch of a massive national Talent Hunt to target children aged 5 to 15. “Whatever support is needed from the government for this, the government will walk shoulder-to-shoulder with you in it,” he said.

Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, said, “The country has, for the first time, seen sports not merely as an activity but as a national priority.”

The Minister said to the PM, “Your personal connect with athletes is the biggest strength of your sports vision. You have celebrated champions’ victories, you have always given them praise and encouragement. But when any athlete faced defeat, you never left their side. This is the reason why India’s athletes consider you their own.”

After the Prime Minister’s address, Olympic medallist, Gagan Narang, shared his inspiring journey as an athlete with the youth present at IIT Gandhinagar.

Gagan said, “Thanks to the administrative changes in sports nowadays, the athletes get the best equipment to compete at the international level. It is because of such changes that we have come here.”

He was joined by 2024 Paralympic bronze medallist Sheetal Devi, who also shared her inspiring journey with those present. She said, “Mindsets have changed today. Those who used to question, ‘what can they (para-athletes) achieve,’ today say, ‘yes, they will achieve, they are the ones who will bring home the medals’.