Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 27 August 2026 addressed youth and athletes across India via video conference at the Khelo India Samvaad (Khelo India Dialogue), held as part of National Sports Day 2026 celebrations. The event connected participants from more than 5,000 institutes nationwide, with the physical hub at IIT Gandhinagar.

Modi's Vision for Sports and Viksit Bharat

Speaking directly to young athletes, Modi framed sports as a pillar of national development rather than a pursuit of medals alone. 'When I talk about sports, it isn't just about winning medals; it is a campaign to integrate India's sports power and youth energy to build a Viksit Bharat. I have always said, "Those who play will blossom,"' he said.

The Prime Minister called on India to compete in disciplines where it currently has no presence on the global stage. 'Other countries are winning medals in sports where India does not even participate; we must master these sports as well,' Modi said, adding that expanding the medal tally would require mastery across a wider range of events.

2036 Olympics Strategy and National Talent Hunt

Modi outlined a long-term roadmap targeting the 2036 Olympics, with the explicit goal of ensuring Indian athletes are equipped not merely to qualify but to excel across multiple disciplines. Central to this strategy is the launch of a nationwide Talent Hunt targeting children aged 5 to 15. He assured participants that the government would provide full support throughout the initiative.

Sports Minister Highlights Governance and Youth Policy

Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya joined the event virtually from IIT Gandhinagar. He described the current moment as a historic shift: 'The country has, for the first time, seen sports not merely as an activity but as a national priority.'

Mandaviya credited Modi's personal rapport with athletes as a defining element of the government's sports vision, noting that the Prime Minister had stood by athletes in defeat as much as in victory. He also highlighted the reach of the MyBharat platform, which has enrolled more than 2.4 crore youth as active participants in nation-building. On policy, he noted that this year's Union Budget was framed as a Youth-Centric Budget, shaped in part by ideas submitted by young citizens. He also pointed to the National Sports Governance Act as a structural step toward transparency, accountability, and fair opportunity in sports administration.

Athletes Share Their Journeys

Olympic medallist Gagan Narang addressed the gathering at IIT Gandhinagar, crediting administrative reforms for improved access to world-class equipment. 'Thanks to the administrative changes in sports nowadays, the athletes get the best equipment to compete at the international level,' Narang said.

2024 Paralympic bronze medallist Sheetal Devi also spoke, reflecting on a shift in public perception toward para-athletes. 'Mindsets have changed today. Those who used to question, "what can they achieve," today say, "yes, they will achieve; they are the ones who will bring home the medals,"' she said.

Student Presentation and Five Key Themes

Students of IIT Gandhinagar presented a framework built around five themes articulated by the Prime Minister: Sports, Olympic Aspirations, Youth Leadership, Viksit Bharat, and Nasha Mukt Yuva. The presentation centred on India's trajectory toward sporting excellence ahead of the 2036 Games.

National Sports Day is observed every year on 29 August, the birth anniversary of hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand. With the 2036 Olympics target now publicly anchored to a talent pipeline starting at age five, the government's next steps — particularly the rollout of the Talent Hunt and the implementation of the Sports Governance Act — will be closely watched.