Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Sunday that India is gearing up to host the 2036 Olympics in full force, stressing the government’s commitment to give “more and more players greater opportunities to compete” by hosting major sporting events in the country. Addressing the 72nd Senior National Volleyball Championship in Varanasi via video conference, Modi highlighted ongoing efforts to expose budding athletes to Olympic sports and described schemes like Khelo India as game-changers in talent utilization.
“The 2030 Commonwealth Games will be held in India and the country is making great efforts to to host the 2036 Olympic Gamesto provide more and more players with greater opportunities to compete,” Modi said. Highlighting the impact of Khelo India, he added, “Through the Khelo India campaign, hundreds of youngsters have had a chance to advance to the national level.”
India’s record in hosting major international events was outlined by the Prime Minister, who said, “India has hosted more than 20 major international events in several cities, including the FIFA U-17 World Cup, the Hockey World Cup and major chess tournaments. He noted that the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) is transforming the sports ecosystem by providing infrastructure, funding and global exposure to young athletes. These initiatives reflect India’s growing confidence and performance in international sport since 2014.
Modi described a shift in the nation’s approach to sports, states, “The government has significantly increased the sports budget and today’s Indian sports model has become athlete-centric with a focus on talent identification, scientific training, nutrition and transparent selection, ensuring that players’ interests are prioritized at all levels.” He further noted: “The nation today is riding a ‘reform express’ with which every industry and every development destination is connected and sports is one of them.”
Recent policy developments were highlighted, with Modi explaining that the National Sports Governance Act and the Khelo Bharat 2025 policy are designed to increase transparency and offer opportunities to the right talent in sports organisations. He emphasized that these provisions will allow the youth to progress simultaneously in sports and education, which will further strengthen the government’s reform agenda.
The Prime Minister expressed satisfaction that Varanasi has become a major sports destination, with the national volleyball competition marking a significant moment for the city’s sporting profile. “Holding the national volleyball tournament in Varanasi underscores the growing emphasis on strengthening sports infrastructure and promoting athletics development in the city.” Drawing a parallel with national progress, he added, “I see so many parallels between India’s development story and volleyball.” In conclusion, he added: “Volleyball teaches us that we cannot achieve any victory alone. Our success depends on our coordination, our trust and the preparedness of our team. Everyone has a role, a responsibility to fulfill. And we will succeed only when everyone fulfills their role diligently and seriously. Our country is also progressing in the same way.”
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Issued by:
Amar Panicker
Published on:
January 4, 2026
