CM Bhajan Lal Shares Modi's Ode to India's Athletes
Synopsis
Rajasthan CM Bhajan Lal Sharma shared a quote from PM Narendra Modi stating that athletes are the one group he has consistently received across his 12-13 years as Prime Minister, underscoring the Centre's stated commitment to India's sporting community.
Key Takeaways
PM Modi stated he has regularly received athletes throughout his 12-13 years in office, calling them the one group he has met without exception.
The quote was shared on 10 August 2026 by Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma on X.
The Khelo India programme , launched in 2017 , forms the institutional backbone of the Centre's grassroots sports push.
Central budgetary allocations for sports infrastructure and international participation have grown across successive cycles.
Rajasthan has a strong tradition in wrestling, shooting, and athletics, making the CM's amplification of this message locally significant.
When a leader who has held the highest office for over a decade singles out one group he has made it a point to meet — without exception — it says something. Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma on Monday, 10 August 2026 shared a striking quote attributed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi that cuts through routine political rhetoric: 'मुझे यहां 12-13 साल हो गए हैं। अगर मैंने हर बार किसी को Regularly Receive किया है, तो वो खिलाड़ी हैं।' — 'I have been here for 12-13 years. If there is anyone I have regularly received every single time, it is athletes.'
A Prime Minister's Standing Appointment With Champions
The quote, shared by CM Sharma on X, frames PM Modi's relationship with Indian sportspersons not as ceremonial photo-ops but as a consistent, deliberate practice sustained across more than a decade in office. The claim is pointed: among the many dignitaries, diplomats, and delegations that pass through the Prime Minister's office, athletes occupy a privileged, recurring slot. This posture aligns with a broader policy architecture built around sport. The Khelo India programme, launched in 2017, institutionalised grassroots talent identification and sports infrastructure development at the national level. Successive budget cycles have expanded allocations for athlete welfare, coaching, and international competition exposure — a pattern that gives the PM's stated priority a concrete policy footprint.Why State Leaders Amplify This Signal
For a state chief minister like Bhajan Lal Sharma, amplifying this quote is a deliberate act of political messaging. Rajasthan has historically produced competitive talent across wrestling, shooting, and athletics. Aligning the state's sporting ambitions with the Prime Minister's publicly stated commitment to athletes sends a signal to sports bodies, coaches, and young competitors across the state: the political will runs from Jaipur to New Delhi. India's preparations for upcoming multi-sport events — and the pressure to convert grassroots investment into international medals — make this kind of top-down signalling more than symbolic. Athletes watching their government's posture need to know the door at the top stays open.Point of View
Amplified by a state chief minister, functions as a soft-power signal at a moment when India is investing heavily in converting sports infrastructure into international podium finishes. The framing — athletes as the one constant in a decade-plus of statecraft — elevates sport above its usual position in the political pecking order. For the BJP, this messaging serves a dual purpose: it reinforces the party's identity as a champion of meritocracy and national pride, while giving state leaders a ready hook to connect local sporting ambitions to central political will. The real test, as always, is whether the open-door rhetoric translates into sustained, measurable outcomes for athletes beyond the photo opportunity.
NationPress
10 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did PM Modi say about athletes?
PM Modi stated that across his 12-13 years in office, athletes are the one group he has consistently and regularly received, singling them out above all other visitors.
Why did Rajasthan CM Bhajan Lal Sharma share this quote?
CM Bhajan Lal Sharma shared the quote on 10 August 2026 to highlight the Prime Minister's commitment to India's sporting community and align Rajasthan's sports agenda with central leadership.
What is the Khelo India programme?
Khelo India is a central government programme launched in 2017 to promote grassroots sports participation, identify talent early, and develop sports infrastructure across Indian states.
How has India's sports policy changed under Modi?
Under PM Modi, India has seen expanded budgetary allocations for sports infrastructure, athlete welfare, and international competition, with flagship schemes like Khelo India anchoring the policy framework.
What sports is Rajasthan known for?
Rajasthan has produced competitive talent in wrestling, shooting, and athletics, and the state government has sought to align its sports promotion efforts with national programmes.
