PM Modi Praises Indian Athletes, Calls for Ambitious Targets and Structural Reforms to Transform Sports Sector
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has lauded the stellar performances of Indian sportspersons and urged the nation’s sports ecosystem to set highly ambitious targets for the Olympic Games. Speaking at the NDA Conclave in New Delhi, the Prime Minister highlighted the remarkable achievements of young athletes and the rapid growth of sports infrastructure in India, while stressing that the country must now aim significantly higher on the global stage.
A New Era of Sporting Excellence
Addressing a gathering of senior leaders, policymakers, and dignitaries, Prime Minister Modi noted that India’s youth are performing exceptionally well across diverse sporting disciplines. He emphasized that the caliber and determination of Indian athletes continue to improve with each passing day.
"Our youth are breaking old barriers and creating new milestones. The confidence seen in today’s generation of sportspersons is a reflection of a changing, aspirational India," the Prime Minister stated.
Mr. Modi added that India is steadily emerging as a major global hub for professional sports. He expressed immense confidence that the country’s standing in the international sporting arena would rise exponentially in the coming decade. A key factor driving this growth, he noted, is that India is rapidly becoming the home of some of the world's most successful and competitive sporting leagues—a reputation that is set to strengthen even further in the years ahead.
Institutional Readiness and Olympic Aspirations
Turning the focus toward the Olympic Games, the Prime Minister asserted that the nation's intensive preparations are a direct reflection of India’s broader global aspirations. He urged athletes, coaches, sports federations, and all corporate and government stakeholders to adopt a bold approach, dream big, and work relentlessly toward achieving historic podium finishes.
The Prime Minister emphasized that preparing for the world's biggest sporting stage requires more than just regular training; it demands world-class sports science, high-performance coaching, and psychological conditioning to match the world's best.
Parallels Between Sports Progress and National Growth
Prime Minister Modi also used the high-profile platform to underline his government’s unwavering commitment to systemic reforms. He drew a compelling parallel between India’s recent progress in sports and its broader national development agenda.
Just as transparent selection processes, grassroots talent hunting through programs like Khelo India, and targeted financial backing via the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) have revolutionized Indian sports, similar institutional reforms, transparency, and a merit-driven approach are driving growth in India's economy, technology, and infrastructure sectors.
The Prime Minister concluded his address with a message of absolute confidence, reassuring the sporting community that the government would leave no stone unturned in providing the necessary resources, infrastructure, and policy support to ensure India transforms into a true global sporting superpower.
