India is gearing up full-fledged to host the 2036 Olympics: PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Sunday that India is preparing with full strength to host the 2036 Olympic Games, emphasising the government’s commitment to providing “more and more players greater opportunities to compete” by hosting mega sporting events in the country.
Addressing the 72nd Senior National Volleyball Championship in Varanasi via video conference, Modi highlighted ongoing efforts to expose budding athletes to Olympic sports and described schemes like Khelo India as game-changers in harnessing talent.
“The 2030 Commonwealth Games will be held in India, and the country is making strong efforts to host the 2036 Olympics, with the aim of giving more and more players greater opportunities to compete,” said Modi.
Underscoring the impact of Khelo India, he added, “Through the Khelo India campaign, hundreds of youth have had the chance to advance to the national level.”
India’s track record of hosting major international events was outlined by the Prime Minister, who stated, “India has hosted more than 20 major international events across several cities, including the FIFA Under-17 World Cup, Hockey World Cup, and major chess tournaments.”
He noted that the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) is transforming the sports ecosystem by providing infrastructure, funding, and global exposure to young athletes. These initiatives reflect India’s growing confidence and performance in international sports since 2014.
Modi described a shift in the national approach to sports, stating, “The government has significantly increased the sports budget, and today India’s sports model has become athlete-centric, with focus on talent identification, scientific training, nutrition, and transparent selection, ensuring that the interests of players are prioritised at every level.”
He further remarked, “Today the nation is riding on the ‘reform express’, with every sector and every development destination connected to it, and sports being one of them.”