Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi called upon the nation on Thursday to increase its participation in the Olympic Games. He stated that as part of preparations for the 2036 Olympics, the country should groom athletes for sports in which its participation has traditionally been minimal or non-existent.
Prime Minister Modi remarked that India’s Olympic performance can only improve if the country expands its participation to include sports it has not competed in previously.
Addressing the youth virtually during the ‘Khelo India Samvad’ (Khelo India Dialogue), PM Modi stated that his vision for sports is not limited merely to winning medals but extends to making sports an integral part of the nation-building process.
The PM said, “This time, from the Red Fort, I drew the nation’s attention to a major challenge concerning sports. This challenge relates to the Olympics. The bitter truth is that Indian teams do not even participate in half of the sports featured in the Olympics.”
It is worth noting that at the Paris Olympics 2024, India participated in 16 out of the 32 sports included in the games.
He added, “We do not even compete for a large share of the total medals available. This has been the case for decades. Other countries win medals in these sports, while we do not even participate. To increase our medal tally, we must achieve excellence in these sports as well.”
Khelo India has become a wonderful platform for nurturing sporting talent across the country. It is providing young athletes with opportunities and support to pursue their dreams.@kheloindia
https://t.co/hj8qEJRj09— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 27, 2026
Linking this initiative to India’s preparations for the 2036 Olympics, PM Modi emphasized that the focus should not be limited to building infrastructure but should also extend to identifying athletes who can eventually qualify for and compete in these sports.
He said, “When we speak of preparing for the 2036 Olympics, our focus must be on grooming athletes who will qualify for and participate in various sports.” It is worth noting that in his Independence Day speech on August 15, PM Modi announced the launch of a nationwide talent search campaign for children aged five to 15, aimed at boosting India’s participation in the Olympics.
He stated that the talent identification drive, announced from the Red Fort on Independence Day, would focus on children between the ages of 5 and 15. The objective is not merely to engage young people in sports they enjoy, but to connect them with the sports for which they possess the greatest aptitude.
“That is why I announced a major talent hunt from the Red Fort on Independence Day to identify athletes aged 5 to 15. We must look beyond a child’s interest in a particular sport; we also need to determine which sport suits them best and provide training accordingly.”
PM Modi assured young participants that the government would provide the necessary support as they pursue careers in sports. “I assure you all that the government will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with you, providing whatever assistance you require.”
