New Delhi: Union Sports Minister has said that India’s ambition for the 2030 Commonwealth Games and the 2036 Olympics goes far beyond winning medals, emphasising the need to create a sustainable sporting ecosystem capable of producing world-class athletes across generations.
Reflecting on the transformation of Indian sports over the past decade, the minister said the country’s success can no longer rely solely on a few exceptional individuals overcoming challenges. Instead, the focus has shifted towards building a robust system that identifies, nurtures and supports talent from grassroots levels to international competition.
From individual brilliance to a structured ecosystem
For decades, India’s sporting achievements were often driven by a handful of outstanding athletes who succeeded despite limited resources and infrastructure. According to the minister, that model is now being replaced by a more systematic approach centred on talent development, scientific training and institutional support.
The government has sought to strengthen every stage of an athlete’s journey through investments in coaching, sports science, nutrition, competition exposure and modern infrastructure.
The objective, he said, is to create a pipeline that consistently produces elite athletes rather than depending on isolated success stories.
Khelo India at the centre of sports development
A key pillar of this transformation has been the government’s flagship Khelo India programme, launched in 2017 with the aim of expanding access to sporting opportunities across the country.
The initiative was designed not only to organise competitions but also to ensure that talented youngsters from rural areas, small towns and economically weaker backgrounds receive opportunities previously available to only a limited section of society.
To support this vision, more than 300 sports infrastructure projects worth over ₹3,000 crore have been developed nationwide.
The country now has a network of over 1,000 Khelo India Centres, State Centres of Excellence and more than 300 accredited academies that provide coaching, sports science support, nutrition guidance, medical assistance and specialised training.
Talent identification reaching unprecedented scale
The minister highlighted that talent identification efforts have expanded significantly in recent years.
More than 2,800 athletes are currently supported under the Khelo India Talent Development Programme, while nearly 1,000 new athletes enter the system annually.
These athletes receive coaching, equipment, scientific support and financial assistance aimed at helping them focus entirely on sporting development.
Financial support remains a crucial component of the programme. Eligible athletes can receive assistance of up to ₹6.25 lakh annually, covering training, accommodation and related expenses, in addition to monthly stipends.
According to the minister, such support ensures that economic circumstances do not prevent talented athletes from pursuing their sporting ambitions.
Competitions creating pathways for future champions
The Khelo India Games have evolved into one of the country’s largest talent identification platforms.
Competitions now include:
- Khelo India Youth Games
- Khelo India University Games
- Khelo India Winter Games
- Khelo India Beach Games
- Khelo India Water Games
- Khelo India Tribal Games
These events have helped identify athletes from regions and communities that traditionally had limited representation in Indian sports.
The minister noted that an increasing number of successful athletes are emerging from rural India and disadvantaged backgrounds, reflecting the widening reach of the programme.
Creating a pathway from grassroots to elite performance
Beyond identifying talent, the government has focused on ensuring athletes continue progressing through the system.
Young athletes discovered through Khelo India can advance to accredited academies, State Centres of Excellence and the national training centres operated by the Sports Authority of India.
These institutions provide advanced coaching, performance analysis, recovery systems, nutrition planning and sports science support designed to meet international standards.
The final stage of athlete preparation is the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), which supports India’s leading medal prospects for major international competitions.
Expanding the Olympic talent pool
The minister said the government has broadened the scope of TOPS beyond immediate medal contenders.
While the programme was originally designed to support elite athletes with strong podium prospects, policymakers now recognise that long-term sporting success requires a much larger pool of talent.
To address this, the government is strengthening both the TOPS Core Group and the TOPS Development Group.
The goal is to build second and third lines of athletes capable of stepping into the international arena whenever required, ensuring continuity and competitiveness across sporting disciplines.
Vision for 2030 and 2036
As India prepares its sporting roadmap for the 2030 Commonwealth Games and pursues its aspiration of hosting the 2036 Olympics, the emphasis remains on creating a self-sustaining sports ecosystem.
The minister stressed that success should be measured not only by medal counts but also by the country’s ability to consistently produce high-performing athletes through strong institutions, infrastructure and support systems.
With expanded infrastructure, larger talent pools and structured development pathways, India aims to establish itself among the world’s leading sporting nations over the coming decade.
Comments are closed.