New Delhi: is uniquely poised to harness its greatest asset—its youth. With nearly 65% of the population under the age of 35, the country boasts the world’s largest young demographic. Recognizing this “demographic dividend,” the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports is driving initiatives to develop skills, build personalities, and foster national integration through sports—paving the way for a Viksit Bharat by 2047.
National Sports Day 2025| A Three-Day Movement: The upcoming National Sports Day (NSD), from August 29 to 31, will be celebrated nationwide under the theme “Ek Ghanta, Khel ke Maidan Mein”. Led by the Fit India Mission, this three-day campaign promotes dedicating at least 60 minutes daily to physical activity to prevent lifestyle diseases.The celebrations will also emphasize Olympic values of Excellence, Friendship, and Respect, alongside Paralympic principles of Courage, Determination, Inspiration, and Equality. Eminent athletes and public figures will engage with communities across state capitals and districts on August 29, inspiring participation at every level.
Honouring Major Dhyan Chand: NSD coincides with the birth anniversary of Major Dhyan Chand, India’s legendary hockey player known as “The Hockey Wizard.” Dhyan Chand’s skill, focus, humility, and national pride continue to inspire generations of athletes, embodying the spirit of sportsmanship and excellence.
Key Government Initiatives: The government views sports as a vital tool for youth empowerment and nation-building. The Sports Authority of India (SAI) plays a central role in talent scouting, providing international exposure, performance monitoring, infrastructure development, and coaching. It implements major schemes like Khelo India, TOPS, and Fit India, fostering a pipeline of world-class athletes. The National Sports Governance Act, 2025, introduced on August 18, establishes transparency, accountability, ethics, and athlete welfare in Indian sports. It mandates Safe Sports Policies, grievance redressal mechanisms, and generational leadership renewal, aligning India’s sports governance with global best practices.
Khelo Bharat Niti 2025: Launched in July 2025, Khelo Bharat Niti integrates sports with the National Education Policy 2020, strengthens grassroots and elite infrastructure, and institutionalizes early talent identification through programs like KIRTI. The policy aims to transform sports into a nationwide movement and a viable career pathway.
Khelo India & KIRTI: Since 2016-17, Khelo India has promoted mass participation and sporting excellence, establishing over 1,000 Khelo India Centres and supporting thousands of athletes with coaching, equipment, and stipends. KIRTI (Khelo India Rising Talent Identification) targets children aged 9-18, identifying young talent through standardized assessment centers and advanced IT tools, nurturing future Olympic contenders.
Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) : TOPS provides elite athletes with funding, coaching, and stipends, contributing to India’s impressive medal tally at Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024. Fit India Movement encourages daily fitness through awareness campaigns, family sessions, and online programs, driving a nationwide culture of health and physical activity.
Sports Education & Welfare: The National Sports University in Imphal, Manipur, trains athletes and sports professionals using global best practices. Complementing this, welfare programs such as pensions for retired athletes, the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay National Welfare Programme, and the National Sports Development Fund provide financial security and support for athletes during and after their careers.
India’s Rising Olympic Journey: From 2 medals in Rio 2016 to 7 at Tokyo 2020 and 6 at Paris 2024, India’s Olympic performance has steadily improved. Athletes like Neeraj Chopra and Mirabai Chanu exemplify this progress, highlighting the impact of structured support, training, and investment in sports.
Conclusion: India’s sports ecosystem has undergone a transformational journey—linking grassroots participation with international excellence. Policies like the National Sports Governance Act 2025, Khelo Bharat Niti 2025, and targeted athlete support programs are creating a generation poised to achieve sporting glory, elevate national pride, and drive the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 and the 2036 Olympics.
PIB
