Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for India to expand its participation across the Olympic programme, saying the country’s medal tally cannot grow significantly if it continues to stay absent from several disciplines. He described India’s limited presence across the Games as a “bitter truth” that needs to change.
Modi made the remarks in a virtual address to hundreds of athletes, students and volunteers gathered at various locations for the Khelo India Dialogue on Thursday, ahead of National Sports Day on August 29. Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya also attended the event, joining from IIT Gandhinagar.
“In the Olympics, there are so many different sports… Indian teams don’t even participate in half of them, which means that we are not competing for a major chunk of the medal tally,” Modi said.
“And this has been going on for decades. In 2012, we competed in only 13 sports. We were not even there in over 20 events and not many in the country even knew about some of these competitions.”
The Prime Minister argued that India cannot significantly improve its medal tally by focusing only on disciplines where it already has an established presence. He pointed to sports such as surfing and sport climbing, where India’s geography could provide opportunities to build new talent.
INDIA SHOULD EYE BEYOND TRADITIONAL SPORTS
India competed in 16 of the 32 sports at the 2024 Paris Olympics, leaving the country without representation in several medal events. Modi said expanding into new disciplines would be essential if India wants to make a bigger impact at future Games.
“For example surfing and sport climbing… We have such a vast coastline, we have such a vast hilly region where there could be a natural affinity for sports like these,” he said.
“Despite this, we are not seen in these sports anywhere in the world. That’s why we have to find opportunities of growing these sports in different regions. To increase our medal tally, we will have to master these sports as well,” he added.
His comments build on the sports vision he outlined during his Independence Day address on August 15. Modi had announced a nationwide talent hunt for children aged five to 15 as part of efforts to strengthen India’s Olympic pipeline and improve participation in more events.
He also made it clear that his approach to sport goes beyond medals, linking wider participation with youth development and nation-building.
“Sports doesn’t just teach us to become champions, it also teaches us to become better competitors. Rising, falling, and then rising again… Sports brings this spirit within us,” Modi said.
He also delivered a lighter message to young people while stressing the importance of physical activity.
“Screens se zyada, Sports centres ki ahmiyat hai. Play station se zyada, Playgrounds ki ahmiyat hai.”
FROM TALENT HUNT TO INDIA’S 2036 OLYMPIC VISION
Modi also highlighted para-athletes as examples of how sporting success can extend beyond individual achievement. He cited armless archer Sheetal Devi, para-shooter Avani Lekhara, powerlifter Jhandu Kumar and javelin thrower Sumit Antil among athletes who have inspired him.
“When an athlete succeeds, it is not only his success, but it also brings glory to his family, school, college, district, means the world knows the place from where he hails,” Modi said.
The latest push is part of India’s longer-term Olympic plan, with the government seeking to identify and develop talent well before the 2036 Games. Modi has already announced a nationwide talent hunt for children aged five to 15, while the Khelo India Dialogue has put greater emphasis on widening India’s participation across more Olympic disciplines.
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