As India embarks on a year brimming with sporting events in 2026, Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya is shifting the focus from discussion to tangible outcomes, urging stakeholders to prioritize results. With major events on the horizon, including the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, the pressure is on to demonstrate the nation's growing prowess in the global sporting arena.
Mandaviya has been a vocal proponent of India's ambition to become a top sporting nation. He has set ambitious targets, including securing a place among the world's top 10 sporting nations by 2036 and aiming for the top five by 2047. These goals align with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of a developed India as the nation celebrates the centenary of its independence.
The Minister has emphasized the importance of a collaborative approach, recognizing that sports is a state subject that requires a unified effort to position India as a formidable sporting power. He has called for enhanced transparency and accountability within National Sports Federations (NSFs) to ensure fair selection processes and build confidence among parents, encouraging them to support their children's sporting aspirations.
Several initiatives are already underway to strengthen the grassroots level of sports in India. This includes identifying talented athletes between the ages of 9 and 14 and nurturing them for long-term Olympic preparation. The Khelo India program has established over 2,800 academies, with over 900 centers currently operational, providing a platform for young athletes to develop their skills.
Mandaviya has stressed the importance of placing athletes at the center of every decision, moving away from a system where federations were often more focused on their disputes than on the athletes themselves. The National Sports Governance Bill, 2025, which received presidential approval last year, mandates the creation of a National Sports Board to oversee all federations. The bill also aims to ensure greater representation for women in sports and clearer dispute resolution mechanisms.
Looking ahead, Mandaviya has emphasized the need for NSFs to avoid needless litigation over elections and for office bearers not to cling to their positions for too long. He has urged all stakeholders to pool their resources and efforts to achieve the goals of hosting the 2036 Olympics and improving India's medal tally at the 2028 Los Angeles Games. He has also highlighted the importance of developing an academy culture with a focus on talent development and coaching, with support from the private sector through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.
