India 2036 Olympics: PM Modi Announces Nationwide Sports Talent Hunt

India 2036 Olympics plans received a major push as Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated the country’s ambition to host the Olympic Games in 2036 during his independence Day address from the Red Fort in New Delhi.

Alongside the hosting ambition, PM Modi announced a nationwide sports talent hunt aimed at identifying young athletes in disciplines where India currently has little or no participation. The campaign will focus particularly on children between the ages of five and 15, with special attention to identifying sporting talent among girls.

PM Modi announces nationwide talent hunt for 2036 Olympics

PM Modi highlighted the gap between the number of Olympic events and India’s current participation across different sports. He said the country does not participate in nearly two-thirds of the sports featured at the Olympics.

The Prime Minister said India needs to identify athletes much earlier if it wants to build a strong sporting pipeline for the 2036 Olympics.

“We have decided that the 2036 Olympics should be held in India.”

According to the plan outlined by PM Modi, the talent identification campaign will reach villages, cities and schools across the country. Children aged five to 15 will have their abilities assessed and promising athletes will receive specialised training.

Why India wants to expand its Olympic footprint

India has traditionally performed strongly in a limited number of Olympic disciplines. However, the government wants to broaden the country’s participation so that Indian athletes can compete in a much wider range of events.

PM Modi noted that there are around 40 sports and approximately 325 to 350 events at the Olympics. He stressed that several opportunities remain unexplored because India either does not participate in those disciplines or fails to qualify.

The proposed talent hunt is therefore intended to create a long-term pipeline of athletes rather than relying only on established sporting disciplines.

Children aged 5 to 15 to be assessed for sporting talent

The proposed campaign will focus on identifying sporting potential at an early age. Talent scouts are expected to look for promising children across schools and communities.

PM Modi specifically emphasised the importance of identifying girls with sporting potential. Once talent is identified, selected children can be provided with specialised training designed around their abilities and chosen disciplines.

This approach could help India develop athletes capable of competing in sports where the country currently has limited representation.

India’s 2036 Olympics hosting ambition

India has formally expressed its ambition to host the 2036 Olympics, with Ahmedabad in Gujarat emerging as the country’s proposed host city. The country is also scheduled to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad.

Hosting major international sporting events would give India an opportunity to expand its sporting infrastructure and create greater exposure to Olympic disciplines.

PM Modi said India’s improving sporting performance and development programmes have strengthened the country’s case to become an Olympic host in 2036.

TOPS and Khelo India highlighted as key sporting initiatives

PM Modi also highlighted the government’s efforts to support athletes through initiatives such as the Target Olympic Podium Scheme, which was launched in 2014.

He pointed to the development of Khelo India Games, University Games, Beach Games and Winter Games, along with improvements in sports training, sports medicine and sports nutrition.

These programmes are intended to provide athletes with better opportunities to develop from grassroots level to elite competition.

India’s recent Commonwealth Games performance

India finished the recent Commonwealth Games with 39 medals, including 13 gold, 17 silver and nine bronze medals, placing fourth in the overall standings.

The performance was notable because the Games featured a significantly reduced programme that excluded several sports in which India has traditionally won medals, including wrestling, badminton, table tennis, hockey and shooting.

India still produced strong performances in boxing, judo, weightlifting and para sports, highlighting the country’s growing depth across multiple disciplines.

India prepares for Asian Games 2026

The next major international sporting challenge for India will be the 2026 Asian Games in Japan. The event is scheduled to take place across Aichi Prefecture and Nagoya from September 19 to October 4.

The Asian Games will provide another important opportunity for Indian athletes to gain international experience as the country continues to build towards its longer-term Olympic ambitions.

Key points

• PM Narendra Modi reiterated India’s ambition to host the 2036 Olympics.
• A nationwide sports talent identification campaign will be conducted across villages, cities and schools.
• The campaign will focus on children aged five to 15, with special attention to girls.
• India wants to increase participation in Olympic disciplines where it currently has little or no presence.
• Ahmedabad is in the race to host the 2036 Olympics and will host the 2030 Commonwealth Games.
• India is preparing for the 2026 Asian Games in Japan from September 19 to October 4.