Modi Allocates Over ₹36,000 Crore to Strengthen Khelo India and Sports Federations

New Delhi, October 15 (Daily Kiran) : Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with the Indian delegation for the 2026 Asian Games at the Major Dhyan Chand Stadium on October 15. During this meeting, he announced that the government has allocated over ₹36,000 crore to expand the Khelo India initiative and strengthen sports federations.

Modi stated, “In the past 12 years, our country has made consistent and dedicated efforts with a visionary approach. We have developed a transparent and modern sports ecosystem. Initiatives like the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) and Khelo India have been introduced and expanded over time. More than 1,000 Khelo India centers have been established across the nation.”

He emphasized the hard work and patience invested in enhancing India’s sports environment. “In the past, India could only bring back a few medals from major tournaments, and many sports were virtually unknown. We decided to change this pessimistic mindset, and now our representation on global platforms is increasing,” he added.

At the Asian Games held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, India secured a total of 85 medals, finishing fourth in the medal tally with 21 gold, 27 silver, and 37 bronze medals.

The Indian team included several young athletes, such as 15-year-old cricketer Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who contributed to winning a gold medal. Modi praised these young players, saying, “Many of our athletes were only 15 to 17 years old. Their outstanding performances have elevated the country’s prestige and won the hearts of citizens. This shows that age is no barrier to success, and we aim to identify talent in sports as early as possible.”

He continued, “With our flag held high on every field, we are creating a new identity for India in sports, with new champions and records. We will achieve this. The spirit of sports is invaluable throughout life; that’s why I always say, those who play, thrive. So keep playing and thriving.”

Looking ahead, India is set to host the Commonwealth Games in 2030 and aims to secure the hosting rights for the Olympic Games in 2036. Modi said, “The Los Angeles Olympics will take place in 2028. India will host the Commonwealth Games in 2030, and we aspire to host the Olympics in 2036. With this vision in mind, I announced the Talent Hunt initiative from the ramparts of the Red Fort. We are reaching out to villages nationwide to identify and nurture young talents who will win medals for the country in the coming years. Our dreams and commitments are ambitious, and we have the confidence to fulfill them, so I say with certainty, ‘We will host major sporting events in India.’”