Union Minister for Coal & Mines, Shri G. Kishan Reddy, today addressed the Khelo India Dialogue – “Khel Ki Baat PM Ke Saath” at The English and Foreign Languages University (EFLU), Hyderabad, and called upon the youth to actively contribute to shaping the future of Indian sports and nation-building.

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addressed the nationwide Khelo India Dialogue through video conferencing today, focusing on building a modern sports ecosystem for the 21st century and preparing India’s youth for the 2036 Olympic Games. The interaction provided an opportunity for young people across the country to share their ideas.

“Every child should have the opportunity to play, every talent should get the opportunity to excel, and every athlete should receive the support needed to compete with the best in the world,” Shri Kishan Reddy said. He noted that the results of this approach are increasingly visible, with Indian athletes delivering performances that are inspiring an entire generation.

More than 1,500 educational institutions across the country are participating in the nationwide Khelo India Dialogue, reflecting the scale and reach of the initiative. Shri Kishan Reddy said that such large-scale interaction with the Prime Minister provides a valuable platform for young people to share their ideas and become active partners in shaping the future of Indian sports and the development of the country.

The Union Minister said that the Government of India’s approach towards sports has undergone a fundamental transformation. Sports is no longer viewed merely as an extracurricular activity, but as an important instrument of youth development, health, discipline, employment, national pride and nation-building.

Referring to India’s recent sporting achievements, Shri Kishan Reddy highlighted Neeraj Chopra’s historic Olympic gold medal in athletics at Tokyo 2020, the Indian men’s hockey team’s Olympic bronze medal at Tokyo after a 41-year wait, and Manu Bhaker’s two historic bronze medals at Paris 2024. He said these achievements are inspiring millions of young Indians to believe that the Olympic podium is within their reach.

Shri Kishan Reddy also highlighted the substantial increase in the Government’s investment in sports compared with the period before 2014. He said the enhanced investment reflects the Government’s commitment to strengthening sports infrastructure, training facilities and opportunities for athletes across the country.

He emphasised that India cannot stop with its achievements at Tokyo and Paris and must set its sights on bigger goals. Preparations for the 2036 Olympics must begin today, he said, across schools, colleges, universities, academies, playgrounds and Khelo India Centres.

Highlighting the role of educational institutions, the Union Minister said universities such as EFLU can play an important role in creating an environment where young people can pursue education and sports together. He told the students that they are not merely the future of India but the present strength of the nation.

He said the qualities developed through sports — discipline, self-confidence, teamwork, leadership, perseverance and fair play — are precisely the qualities required to build a strong and developed India.

Addressing the young participants, Shri Kishan Reddy urged them to dream big, train hard, remain disciplined and believe in themselves. He stressed that Olympic medals need not come only from metropolitan cities and that talent can emerge from villages, towns and every part of the country.

The Union Minister said India today is not merely participating in global sporting events but is increasingly competing on the world stage. He noted that India’s growing sporting ambitions, including its plans to host major international sporting events, reflect the country’s emergence as a global sporting power.

Expressing confidence in the potential of India’s youth, Shri Kishan Reddy said that the champions who will make the country proud at the 2030 Commonwealth Games and the 2036 Olympic Games could already be among the young participants present today.

Concluding his address, he called upon the youth to work together towards building a Fit India, Healthy India, Developed India, Confident India, Powerful India, Youthful India and Sports India, contributing to the vision of a Viksit Bharat.

Prof. N. Nagaraju, Vice Chancellor, EFLU; Sini Manchala, Registrar, EFLU; Smt. Shruti Patil, ADG, PIB; athlete J. J. Shobha; badminton player Shriyanshi Valishetty; and Sreeja Jadhav, Moderator, Yuva Connect, were among those present.

 

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