India's growing ambitions on the global stage are finding strong expression in its commitment to sports development, as highlighted by Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi during the inauguration of the Khelo India Youth Games 2025. Speaking at the high-profile event, PM Modi emphasized that India’s soft power — its ability to influence global audiences through culture, values, and achievements — will receive a significant boost through the rise of a sports culture.

Sports as a Tool of Soft Power

According to PM Modi, sports go beyond medals; they are a means of enhancing national pride and identity. India’s rising status as a global sports power will help increase its cultural and diplomatic influence, thereby expanding its soft power footprint. As India looks to elevate its image on the world stage, sports will play a central role in the nation’s global perception.

The Prime Minister reiterated the government’s vision to modernize India’s sports infrastructure, not only to foster domestic talent but also to prepare for global sporting events, most notably the 2036 Olympic Games, for which India has already submitted a Letter of Intent to the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Hosting the 2036 Olympics: India’s Global Sporting Ambition

India’s bid to host the 2036 Summer Olympics is seen as a cornerstone of this broader strategy. The competition is stiff, with Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, South Korea, Indonesia, and Chile also in the running. However, India’s push is backed by decades of investment, policy reforms, and increased grassroots participation.

The sports budget for 2025 reflects this seriousness. With a Rs. 4,000 crore (US$ 474 million) allocation, a significant portion is earmarked for preparing the groundwork for the Olympics bid and enhancing sporting facilities across the country. In the last decade, India has tripled its investment in sports, reflecting long-term commitment rather than sporadic support.

Rise of the Khelo India Movement

One of the most impactful government initiatives driving this transformation is the Khelo India programme, which aims to foster sporting talent from the grassroots level. Over the years, the initiative has grown from a talent-identification scheme to a nationwide movement promoting sports culture in schools, universities, and local communities.

As of 2025, India now boasts more than 1,000 Khelo India centres operating across states, with over three dozen in Bihar alone, marking the expansion of facilities into regions previously lacking access to top-tier sporting infrastructure.

Khelo India Youth Games 2025: A National Sporting Showcase

The Khelo India Youth Games 2025, taking place from May 4 to May 15, represent the culmination of years of effort in sports development. Five cities in Bihar, along with New Delhi, are playing host to the grand event. More than 6,000 athletes from across India will compete in 27 medal sports, vying for a total of 284 gold medals.

Sports disciplines with the highest number of gold medals include:

• Swimming

• Athletics

• Wrestling

• Weightlifting

• Boxing

This strategic focus on high medal-yield sports reflects India’s long-term Olympic ambitions. The hosting state, Bihar, will feature a 450-member athlete contingent, marking its largest-ever participation. Maharashtra, the reigning champion and two-time title holder, is sending over 400 athletes, aiming for a hat-trick of victories. Other strong contenders include Haryana, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu, each fielding full-strength teams.

Building Champions for Tomorrow

The event is not just about winning medals but about giving young athletes the exposure to national-level competition. It also promotes inter-state camaraderie, allowing athletes to learn from one another, sharpen their competitive edge, and dream bigger.

The presence of infrastructure, support staff, physiotherapists, dieticians, and mental coaches underscores the seriousness with which youth development in sports is now being handled. From setting up residential academies to deploying cutting-edge sports science, India is laying the foundation for sustained sporting excellence.

Sports and National Unity

Apart from being a tool for global influence, sports are a unifying force within the country. The Khelo India Youth Games are emblematic of this — they bring together athletes from diverse backgrounds, regions, and communities. PM Modi highlighted how sports break down barriers, promote discipline, and create a sense of shared national identity.

The expansion of the Khelo India programme into Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities is a deliberate effort to democratize access to sports. Young athletes from rural and underrepresented regions now have a platform to shine and represent India, both domestically and internationally.

The Road Ahead

India’s ambitious sports roadmap includes:

• Revamping existing sports academies and building new multi-disciplinary centres.

• Partnering with international sports bodies for training and technology exchange.

• Investing in sports science, coaching certifications, and athlete welfare schemes.

• Promoting sports education in schools through a revised curriculum.

• Hosting more international events to gain operational and organizational experience.

The government’s approach is holistic — combining infrastructure development, policy reform, grassroots engagement, and international aspirations.

Conclusion

India’s rise as a global sports power is no longer aspirational — it is becoming a reality backed by robust investment, visionary policies, and grassroots engagement. As PM Modi rightly said, fostering a vibrant sports culture is not just about winning medals but about enhancing India’s soft power, building national unity, and creating champions who can lead the nation onto the global stage.

The Khelo India Youth Games 2025 and the bid to host the 2036 Olympics symbolize a new era in India’s sports journey — one that aligns perfectly with the broader goal of transforming India into a global leader across multiple domains, including sports, culture, and international diplomacy.

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