India has hit the reset button on its sports journey with the launch of the bold new Khelo Bharat Niti, the National Sports Policy 2025. This new policy is aimed at improving India's sports governance and creating a strong system that can take Indian athletes from village playgrounds to the Olympic podium, especially targeting the 2036 Olympics. The government believes this policy will turn India into a global sports powerhouse.
A Landmark Decision for Indian Sports
Prime Minister Narendra Modi called this a historic day for Indian sports. He posted on social media that the policy stands on five major pillars:
- Excellence on the Global Stage
- Sports for Economic Development
- Sports for Social Development
- Sports as a People’s Movement
- Integration of Sports with Education (as per NEP 2020)
He also wished that "Indian sporting talent will always flourish."
Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya described the policy as a transformative step. He said the plan focuses on promoting a strong sports culture, developing the sports industry, and building India's image as a formidable force in global competitions.
Aiming High: India Eyes Olympics 2036
On the same day this policy was passed, a high-level Indian team met officials from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in Lausanne. The Indian team included famous names like PT Usha, Gujarat Sports Minister Harsh Sanghavi, and top sports ministry officers. Their mission was clear: to discuss the possibility of India hosting the 2036 Olympics and Paralympics in Ahmedabad.
According to official sources, this discussion gave India a platform to share its long-term vision. The IOC also gave useful advice about what India needs to do if it wants to host the Olympic Games in the future. This meeting was part of a “continuous dialogue process” that might eventually lead to India becoming an Olympic host nation.
What the Policy Wants to Achieve
The main goal of the new sports policy is to create a strong and inclusive system. This means the government wants to find talented sportspersons from rural and urban areas, train them well, and give them the support they need to compete at global levels. The policy also encourages Indian-origin athletes living abroad to come back and play for India.
The policy focuses on:
- Grassroots development of sports
- Building better sports infrastructure, especially in rural areas
- Bringing in private sector investment
- Improving the skills of coaches and sports support staff
- Using modern tools in sports science, medicine, and technology
The policy even talks about Return on Investment (RoI), so that private companies feel encouraged to invest in sports projects. It wants to make sports development attractive and sustainable for everyone.
Encouraging Sports Businesses and Startups
Another interesting part of the policy is its support for sports-related businesses. It aims to grow the sports equipment manufacturing industry and help startups that are working in areas like sports tech, fitness, training apps, and athlete nutrition. Youth who dream of starting something in the sports field can now expect better support through funding, training, and mentoring programs.
A Bill to Restructure Sports Governance
To make all of this work smoothly, the government has drafted a new Sports Governance Bill. This bill will bring changes to how sports bodies and federations are run in India. The idea is to make sports administration more transparent and performance-based.
India's National Sports Policy 2025 is not just a policy document. It is a vision for the future. With its eyes firmly set on the Olympics 2036, the government is taking steps today that could transform India into a global sporting leader tomorrow.
For young athletes, coaches, sports entrepreneurs, and fans, this policy brings hope and opportunity. It shows that India is serious about creating champions not only in cricket but across all sports. And maybe, in the years to come, we will see the Indian flag raised more often on international podiums — not just as a dream, but as a proud reality.
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