\u201cThis time, from the Red Fort, I drew the country\u2019s attention to a major challenge in sports. This challenge is related to the Olympics. The bitter truth is that India\u2019s teams don\u2019t participate in half of the sports that are a part of the Olympics.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
PM Modi said India\u2019s limited participation had remained a longstanding concern and directly affected the country\u2019s prospects in the overall medal standings.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThat is, we do not compete for a very large part of the medal tally. And this has been the situation for a long time now. In the 2012 Olympics, India participated in only 13 sports. In more than 20 sports, India did not participate.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The Prime Minister cited disciplines such as surfing and sports climbing as areas where India could build a stronger presence, given the country\u2019s diverse geography.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThere are so many sports whose names people in the country have probably heard of. Other countries win medals in those sports. And we do not participate in those sports. We have to acquire the skills in these sports to increase the medal tally in these sports as well. For example, surfing and sports climbing.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
PM Modi said India\u2019s coastline, mountains and varied terrain offered the country an opportunity to identify and nurture talent in disciplines linked to water, mountains and winter sports.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cWe have such a long coastline and such a large mountainous region, where such sports can have a natural appeal. We have demographics and geographies across water and winter sports. But still, we are hardly seen anywhere in the world in such sports.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
He stressed that expanding India's sporting footprint would require creating opportunities at the grassroots level, with districts developing ecosystems tailored to different disciplines. \u201cTherefore, we have to create such opportunities in different districts, where a special sports ecosystem can develop. And this plays a very big role in today's event.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Linking the initiative to India's preparations for the 2036 Olympics, PM Modi said the focus must extend beyond infrastructure to identifying the athletes who could eventually qualify for and compete at the Games. \u201cWhen we talk about preparation for the 2036 Olympics, our focus should be on developing players who will qualify and compete in different sports.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
He said the talent identification drive announced from the Red Fort on Independence Day would focus on children between five and 15 years of age, with the objective of matching youngsters not merely with the sports they enjoy but with disciplines in which they possess the greatest potential.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Linking the initiative to India's preparations for the 2036 Olympics, PM Modi said the focus must extend beyond infrastructure to identifying the athletes who could eventually qualify for and compete at the Games. \u201cWhen we talk about preparation for the 2036 Olympics, our focus should be on developing players who will qualify and compete in different sports.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
PM Modi assured the young participants that the government would provide the necessary support as they pursue sporting careers. \u201cAnd I assure all of you that whatever support you need, the government will stand shoulder to shoulder with you.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n