Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in the latest edition of his monthly radio address Mann ki Baat, emphasised the transformative potential of the newly unveiled Khelo Bharat Niti 2025, asserting that the policy will prioritise rural communities, economically weaker sections and daughters of the nation.
“The goal of this policy is clear – to make India a sporting superpower,” he declared, addressing the nation on Sunday. The Prime Minister noted that the initiative would integrate sports into the daily lives of school and college students, while also giving an impetus to sports-based startups in areas such as management and equipment manufacturing.
“Villages, the poor and daughters are the priority of 'Khelo Bharat Niti 2025'. Schools and colleges will now make sports a part of everyday life. Startups related to sports, whether they be sports management or manufacturing, will be helped in every way,” he said.
Khelo Bharat Niti 2025, approved by the Union Cabinet earlier this month, replaces the existing National Sports Policy of 2001. The revamped policy aims to craft a robust sporting ecosystem and establish India as a contender on the international sporting stage, particularly targeting the 2036 Olympic Games.
The policy has emerged following an extensive consultative process involving the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, NITI Aayog, State Governments, National Sports Federations, athletes, experts, and other public stakeholders. It is anchored on five core pillars, including global sporting excellence, grassroots development, robust governance, economic potential, and inclusivity.
The ‘excellence’ pillar sets out a roadmap for talent identification at an early stage, nurturing elite athletes, expanding infrastructure in rural and urban pockets, and improving systems for coaching and training. It also seeks to elevate the performance of Indian athletes through greater use of sports science, technology, and medical support.
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“Sports create team spirit. This is the path to fitness, self-confidence and building a strong India. So play a lot, blossom a lot,” Modi urged, reiterating his vision for youth empowerment through physical fitness.
He also highlighted the link between Atmanirbhar Bharat and self-reliance in sports manufacturing. “The mission of self-reliance will gain a lot of strength when the youngsters play with self-made racket, bat and ball,” Modi said, underlining the policy’s intent to strengthen India’s sports manufacturing ecosystem.
The government further hopes to unlock the economic potential of the sector by promoting sports tourism, attracting international events, encouraging CSR investment, and supporting public-private partnerships.
In a related segment of the programme, the Prime Minister celebrated India’s exceptional showing at the 21st World Police and Fire Games held in Birmingham, Alabama, from 27 June to 6 July. “India won close to 600 medals. We reached the top three out of 71 countries,” Modi said. “The hard work of those uniformed personnel who stand for the country day and night, paid off. These friends of ours are now holding the flag high in the sports field as well. I congratulate all the players and the coaching team.”
India secured 588 medals overall, including 280 golds, finishing third behind the United States and Brazil. The biennial event brings together law enforcement officers, firefighters, and personnel from border and correctional services across the world in a multi-sport Olympic-style competition featuring over 60 events.
Gujarat is set to host the next edition of the Games in 2029, following the announcement of a successful hosting bid last month by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel. “India will show its hospitality and introduce them (foreign athletes) to our sports culture,” Modi said.
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