Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced an ambitious nationwide talent identification programme for children aged 5 to 15, as part of India’s long-term strategy to strengthen its sporting ecosystem and prepare for the 2036 Olympics.
Addressing the nation from the Red Fort in New Delhi on Independence Day, Modi said India should aim to participate in at least three-fourths of all Olympic events at the 2036 Games. He emphasised that the country must expand its sporting base and identify promising athletes from across the country at an early age.
Stay Connected · Headline8
Get breaking news instantly — follow our official channels
According to the Prime Minister, the new talent hunt will search for children with sporting potential in every part of India. Those identified will receive specialised coaching, access to better sporting facilities and other forms of support aimed at helping them develop into world-class athletes.
“India is making space for itself in the world of sports,” Modi said, highlighting the country’s growing performance across several sporting disciplines. He also pointed to initiatives such as the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), Khelo India Games, University Games, Beach Games and Winter Games, along with developments in sports training, sports medicine and sports nutrition.
Push to Compete Across Olympic Disciplines
Modi noted that India’s sporting performance has improved considerably and said the country is emerging as a strong contender to host the 2036 Olympics. However, he pointed out that India currently fails to qualify for a significant number of Olympic events.
With the Olympics featuring around 40 sports and nearly 350 events, the Prime Minister said India is unable to compete in roughly two-thirds of them because of a lack of qualification.
“We have decided that in 2036, we should participate in at least three-fourths of the events,” Modi said, underlining the need for a much broader talent pool.
The proposed nationwide hunt is expected to become an important component of this strategy, with the government focusing on discovering sporting ability among children well before they reach elite competition levels.
India to Host 2030 Commonwealth Games
The announcement comes as India prepares for another major international sporting event—the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
India formally received the hosting rights during the closing ceremony of the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Ahmedabad will become only the second Indian city to host the Commonwealth Games after New Delhi staged the event in 2010.
The 2030 edition is expected to feature a range of major sporting disciplines, while the development of sporting infrastructure and facilities in Ahmedabad could further contribute to India’s preparations for future international competitions.
The Narendra Modi Stadium complex is among the key venues expected to play a major role in the Ahmedabad Games.
Building the Next Generation of Athletes
The 2030 Commonwealth Games and the proposed 2036 Olympic campaign form part of a broader effort to create a stronger pipeline of Indian athletes.
By beginning talent identification as early as five years of age and continuing through the 15-year age group, the government aims to give promising youngsters sufficient time to receive professional coaching and develop the skills required for elite-level competition.
The initiative also reflects a shift towards identifying talent beyond traditional sporting centres, potentially bringing children from smaller towns, rural areas and different regions of the country into the organised sporting system.
With India targeting a larger presence across Olympic disciplines, the focus will increasingly be on early talent discovery, high-quality training, sports science, nutrition, medical support and world-class infrastructure.
The Prime Minister’s announcement therefore marks another step in India’s long-term sporting roadmap, with the country looking to build a deeper and more competitive athlete pool ahead of the 2036 Olympics.
(Inputs from INDIA TODAY)
Edited by: Moonmoon Borah
