Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Sunday that his government was dedicated to giving “more and more players greater opportunities to compete” by holding major athletic events in the nation. He also asserted that India is fully prepared to host the 2036 Olympic Games.
Speaking via video conference at the opening event of the 72nd Senior National Volleyball Championship in Varanasi, Modi stated that the government was doing everything in its power to encourage young athletes to pursue Olympic sports and that programs like Khelo India were revolutionizing the way talent was developed.
“The 2030 Commonwealth Games will be held in India, and the country is making strong efforts to host the 2036 Olympics, with the aim of giving more and more players greater opportunities to compete,” said Modi.
“Through the Khelo India campaign, hundreds of youth have had the chance to advance to the national level,” added Modi.
He noted that programs like the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPs) were changing India’s sports landscape by focusing on developing robust infrastructure, funding sources, and giving young athletes international exposure. He added that the country’s increasing influence in sports could be measured by the fact that it had hosted 20 elite international competitions in the previous ten years.
“India has hosted more than 20 major international events across several cities, including the FIFA Under-17 World Cup, Hockey World Cup, and major chess tournaments.”
He recalled the period when society and the government had little interest in sports and claimed that the last ten years had significantly altered the nation’s perspective.
“The government has significantly increased the sports budget, and today India’s sports model has become athlete-centric, with focus on talent identification, scientific training, nutrition, and transparent selection, ensuring that the interests of players are prioritised at every level,” he said.
“Today the nation is riding on the ‘reform express’, with every sector and every development destination connected to it, and sports being one of them,” he said.
“India’s progress is not limited to the economic front but is also reflected in the confidence seen on the sports field. India’s performance across various sports has consistently improved since 2014,” he added.
The PM spoke on the sports reforms his government had implemented, stating that the National Sports Governance Act and the Khelo Bharat Policy 2025 will boost transparency in sports organizations and give opportunities to the right talent. He emphasized that these options will enable young people to progress in both athletics and education at the same time.
Securing a spot on the nation’s athletic map through the National Volleyball Competition was extremely important for the city, according to the PM, who expressed delight that Varanasi has emerged as a key sporting destination.
Over 1,000 players from 58 teams from across the nation will compete in the competition, which takes place from January 4 to 11.
“Hosting the National Volleyball Tournament in Varanasi underscores the growing emphasis on strengthening sports infrastructure and promoting athletic development in the city.”
Drawing parallels between volleyball and the country’s growth, the PM said “I see so many parallels between India’s development story and volleyball.”
“Volleyball teaches us that no victory is achieved alone. Our success depends on our co-ordination, our trust, and our team’s readiness. Everyone has a role to play, a responsibility to fulfill. And we only succeed when everyone performs their role diligently and seriously. Our country is also progressing in the same way.”
