Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for a comprehensive expansion of India’s sporting ecosystem, emphasising the need to identify young talent early and increase the country’s participation across a wider range of disciplines ahead of the 2036 Olympics.

Addressing the Khelo India Dialogue through video conferencing, Modi said India’s sports vision should go beyond winning medals and focus on harnessing the country’s sporting and youth potential in building a developed India.

He reiterated the message, “Jo khelega, woh khilega,” saying that success in sports contributes not only to victories on the field but also to the development of personality, families, communities and national pride.

Highlighting the gaps in India’s Olympic participation, Modi said the country currently competes in only about half of the sports featured at the Games. Referring to the 2012 Olympics, he noted that India participated in only 13 sports and was absent from more than 20 disciplines.

He said India must develop expertise in sports where it has natural geographical and demographic advantages. Surfing, sports climbing, water sports and winter sports, he said, offer considerable potential, given the country’s long coastline and extensive mountainous regions.

Modi called for the development of sport-specific ecosystems across districts, enabling local talent to emerge and eventually compete on the global stage.

With the 2036 Olympics in focus, the Prime Minister said India must begin preparing today the athletes who will compete in the Games. He referred to the talent hunt campaign announced from the Red Fort to identify children between five and 15 years of age.

He said talent identification should go beyond determining a child’s sporting interest and should also assess which discipline the child is naturally suited for, followed by appropriate training and support.

“Our government will walk shoulder to shoulder with you,” Modi said, assuring that the government would provide the necessary support for developing sporting talent.

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He said the government was committed to creating a modern 21st-century sports ecosystem through sports universities, modern training centres and systems covering the entire journey from talent identification to the international stage. India was also strengthening cooperation with other countries in sports science, coaching, training and related expertise, he added.

Describing the Khelo India Dialogue as more than a discussion on sports, Modi said the platform would enable young people to contribute ideas on talent development, sports governance and the wider sports ecosystem, with their suggestions being considered in the policy process.

The Prime Minister also stressed the broader social benefits of sports, saying sporting activity builds resilience, discipline and the ability to recover from setbacks. He particularly highlighted the achievements of para-athletes, saying their success often transforms not only their own lives but also those of their families.

Citing para-athletes including Sheetal Devi, Avani Lekhara, Sumit Antil and Nitesh Kumar, Modi said their achievements were a source of inspiration for the nation.

He also underlined the role of sports in promoting fitness and helping young people stay away from drugs and substance abuse.

Observing that sports have increasingly emerged as a viable career and lifestyle choice in India, Modi pointed to the growing popularity of running events, triathlons, Hyrox, pickleball and badminton as signs of a broader change in public attitudes towards physical activity.

He called for sports to become an integral part of school and family life, rather than being treated merely as a co-curricular activity.

“More important than screens are sports centres. More important than PlayStation is the playground,” he said, urging young people to help build a stronger sporting culture.

Modi further said the expansion of the sports economy was creating opportunities for young people beyond competing as athletes, including in sports technology, equipment design, sports medicine, nutrition, psychology, analytics, coaching and event management.

The Prime Minister also extended advance greetings for National Sports Day, observed on August 29, and paid tribute to hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand.