PM Modi Calls for Wider Sports Participation at Khelo India Dialogue
New Delhi, August 27, 2026: Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the Khelo India Dialogue through video conference and called for greater youth participation in sports to help build a healthier and stronger India.
Ahead of National Sports Day on August 29, PM Modi said Khelo India has emerged as an important platform for identifying and nurturing sporting talent across the country. He emphasised that sports should not be viewed only through the lens of winning medals but as a means of developing youth and contributing to a Viksit Bharat.
The Prime Minister highlighted the need for India to participate and develop expertise in a wider range of Olympic sports. He called for targeted efforts to identify talent across different regions and prepare athletes for the 2036 Olympics.
PM Modi said the government is working to strengthen India's sports ecosystem through specialised sports universities, training centres, sports science, coaching and international collaboration. He also stressed the importance of a national talent hunt for children aged 5 to 15, with selection based on their interests and physical abilities.
Highlighting the wider benefits of sports, the Prime Minister said sporting activities can promote fitness, resilience, discipline and a healthier lifestyle. He also noted the role of sports in helping young people stay away from substance abuse.
He called for stronger sports culture at the grassroots level, particularly in schools, and encouraged greater use of playgrounds and sports facilities. “Sports centres are more important than screens. Playgrounds are more important than PlayStations,” PM Modi said.
The Prime Minister also highlighted the achievements of Indian para-athletes and said sports can create new career opportunities in areas such as sports technology, equipment design, medicine, nutrition, psychology and analytics.
Calling on young people to actively participate in shaping India's sporting future, PM Modi said their ideas and aspirations can contribute to building a stronger and more inclusive sports ecosystem.
