‘Sports must become an integral part of nation-building’: Prime Minister
NEW DELHI, AUGUST 28: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for a major expansion of India’s participation in Olympic sports, saying the country cannot substantially improve its medal tally unless it develops athletes in disciplines where it has traditionally had little or no representation.
Addressing hundreds of athletes, students and volunteers virtually during the Khelo India Dialogue ahead of National Sports Day, Modi said India is currently missing out on a significant number of medal opportunities because it does not participate in a large number of Olympic disciplines.
“In the Olympics, there are so many different sports. Indian teams don’t even participate in half of them, which means that we are not competing for a major chunk of the medal tally,” the Prime Minister said, describing the situation as a “bitter truth.”
Modi recalled that India had participated in only 13 sports at the 2012 Olympics and remained absent from more than 20 disciplines.
“Other countries win medals in those sports, and we don’t even participate. To increase our medals, we have to improve in these sports,” he said.
At the Paris Olympics 2024, India competed in 16 of the 32 sports on the Games programme. Modi stressed that the country must identify new sporting disciplines, create suitable training ecosystems and nurture talent if it wants to deliver stronger performances at future Olympic Games.
PM Highlights Surfing, Sport Climbing
The Prime Minister specifically highlighted surfing and sport climbing, saying India has significant geographical and human potential to develop athletes in these emerging disciplines.
“For example, surfing and sport climbing. We have such a vast coastline, we have such a vast hilly region where there could be a natural affinity for sports like these,” he said.
Modi noted that India has considerable opportunities in water sports, winter sports and other emerging disciplines, but Indian athletes have yet to establish a strong international presence in several of these areas.
“Despite this, we are not seen in these sports anywhere in the world. That’s why we have to find opportunities of growing these sports in different regions. To increase our medal tally, we will have to master these sports as well,” he said.
Neither surfing nor sport climbing has so far seen an Indian athlete compete at the Olympic Games. Both disciplines are scheduled to feature at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
‘Sports Not Merely About Winning Medals’
Modi said his vision for Indian sports goes beyond Olympic medals and international rankings, stressing that sporting activity must become an important part of nation-building and youth development.
“On 15th August, I presented India’s sports vision from the ramparts of the Red Fort. When I talk about sports, it is not merely about winning medals,” he said.
He said the broader objective was to combine India’s sporting potential with the strength of its youth in the effort to build a developed nation.
“It is a campaign to integrate India’s sporting power and youth power together in the construction of a developed India,” the Prime Minister added.
Modi also referred to his Independence Day announcement about a nationwide talent-identification programme for children aged between 5 and 15 years, aimed at widening the country’s sporting talent pool and creating a stronger pipeline of athletes for future international competitions.
Sports Can Help Keep Youth Away From Drugs
Highlighting the wider social benefits of sports, Modi said participation in physical activities helps young people develop discipline, resilience, confidence and character.
He also underlined the role of sports in preventing drug abuse among youngsters, calling the issue a major challenge for society.
“Sports doesn’t just teach us to become champions, it also teaches us to become better competitors. Rising, falling, and then rising again… Sports brings this spirit within us,” he said.
Urging parents and children to give greater importance to outdoor activities in an increasingly digital environment, Modi said:
“Screens se zyada, Sports centres ki ahmiyat hai. Play Station se zyada, Playgrounds ki ahmiyat hai.”
He stressed the need to encourage children to spend more time on sports grounds rather than remaining engaged with screens and gaming platforms.
PM Pays Tribute to Major Dhyan Chand
The Prime Minister also paid tribute to legendary Indian hockey player Major Dhyan Chand, whose birth anniversary on August 29 is observed as National Sports Day.
Recalling India’s historic sporting links with New Zealand, Modi noted that an Indian hockey team had toured New Zealand around a century ago, with Dhyan Chand being part of the team.
“In another two days, on August 29, there is National Sports Day. This day is also to remember Major Dhyan Chand,” he said.
Modi said the historic tour represented an important chapter in the sporting relationship between India and New Zealand and recalled remembering Dhyan Chand during his recent visit to the country.
Modi Praises Para-Athletes
The Prime Minister also highlighted the achievements of India’s para-athletes, saying their success has an impact far beyond the individual athlete.
He said an athlete’s success can bring recognition to their family, school, college, district and even their hometown.
“When an athlete succeeds, it is not only his success, but it also brings glory to his family, school, college, district. The world knows the place from where he hails. When a place comes on the global map, then people’s impression of the place changes,” Modi said.
He cited para-athletes including Sheetal Devi, the armless archer from Jammu and Kashmir; Paralympic shooting champion Avani Lekhara; Commonwealth Games medallist Jhandu Kumar; and para-javelin thrower Sumit Antil as examples of determination and sporting excellence.
“I am sure all of you know Sheetal Devi, para-shooter Avani Lekhara, powerlifter Jhandu Kumar. Even para javelin thrower Sumit Antil, they all inspire me,” he said.
Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya also participated in the event from IIT Gandhinagar.
With the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics on the horizon, Modi’s message placed renewed emphasis on expanding India’s sporting footprint, identifying untapped talent and entering disciplines where the country has so far remained largely absent.
The Prime Minister’s call also underlined a broader ambition—to make sports a mass movement, strengthen India’s sporting ecosystem and ensure that the country’s vast youth and geographical potential translates into greater representation and success on the global sporting stage.(KNC)
