India has scripted yet another remarkable chapter in its sporting journey. From securing an impressive fourth position at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games to earning the right to host the next edition of the Games, the country’s sporting ecosystem is witnessing unprecedented growth. Behind these achievements lies a sustained focus on grassroots development through initiatives such as Khelo India, improved athlete support, and a renewed emphasis on excellence across disciplines. In an exclusive conversation, Union Minister for Youth Affairs & Sports Dr Mansukh Mandaviya speaks to Organiser Senior Assistant Editor Nishant Kr Azad about India’s Commonwealth Games performance, the significance of hosting the next Games, the rise of Indian athletes across multiple sports, and the government’s vision for transforming India into a global sporting powerhouse
How do you see the performance of Indian atheletes at the recently concluded Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, especially when core medal-producing powerhouses like shooting and wrestling, were completely dropped from the Games?
We are proud of our athletes who have trained hard and succeeded in Glasgow. This is the result of years of their hard work. Modi Government has seen this potential in many sporting disciplines, including sports like judo, weightlifting, and para-sports, and has been supporting the growth of these sports. Therefore, for us working with the sporting ecosystem, India has never been about excellence in just one sport. We are glad the world now acknowledges it and we have proven it. Through initiatives like the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), Khelo India, we have progressed in last few years. Since 2014, our performances at the international level have been improving year-on-year. Between 1947 and 2012 (17 Editions), India won 21 Olympic Medals. In the last three editions alone, India has won 15 Olympic medals. This performance reinforces the importance of sustained investments in athlete development, coaching, sports science, infrastructure and international exposure.
What special steps have we taken to break records in newer disciplines?
The Ministry and the Sports Authority of India is in regular coordination with the National Sports Federations to support improvement of athlete training at elite and developmental level. Through the Assistance to National Sports Federations Scheme, an increase in funding to NSFs has been made, mandating improved funding for talent identification and for sports science development. The announcement of updated National Selection Trial Policy also reduces bias and ensures athletes for international events are selected solely on basis of performances. The TOPS has 446 elite athletes that are receiving support from the Government to train for international events, a significant increase from when it first began with approximately 40+ athletes. Establishment of National Centre for Sports Science and Research (NCSSR), which is extending its support to athletes, or has also helped us improve our performance.
Can you divulge the Government plan to excel in upcoming mega events?
Through the Khelo Bharat Niti released in 2025, a roadmap for the development of the sports ecosystem in India has been created. This has further been supported by new governance reforms including the National Sports Governance Act, the National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Act, and the National Selection Trials Policy. We have received eight times increase in funding for various schemes to shape the sports ecosystem and impact the development of athletes from grassroots to elite level. Khelo India Scheme and Assistance to NSF scheme has jointly received Rs. 36,000+ crore. This intent will allow us to increase the number of athletes training under various programmes by 10 times the current amount. The components of the Khelo India scheme that currently exist will be improved and expanded, including increase in Khelo India Centres and expansion of new Sports Competitions. Regional and university leagues will also ensure continuity of competition exposure for athletes. Our aim is to ensure that India is amongst the top 10 medal-winning countries at the 2036 Olympics, and by 2047 to be amongst the top 5 nations.
“Our next focus is to make talent identification even more technology-driven and data-led. We are building a nationwide talent pipeline that can identify and nurture athletes from rural and tribal, districts to onboard over 27,000 athletes”
How Government is going to integrate new technologies for better preparation of the athletes?
Our next focus is to make talent identification even more technology-driven and data-led. Through the expansion of Khelo India, we aim to reach every district of the country, ensuring that all talent has an equal opportunity to be discovered and trained. A new application for talent hunting is also under development. This model also includes integrated digital mechanisms with AI-based technology to better support the management of data for athletes and their training & competition. We are strengthening the athlete development pathway by creating a seamless link between grassroots identification, Khelo India Centres, State academies, National Centres of Excellence, Olympic Training Centre and the TOPS ecosystem. We are also deepening partnerships with State Governments, educational institutions, sports federations, and the private sector to create a wider support network.
Sometimes athlete’s preparation suffers due to bureaucratic hurdle. So, how is the Government tackling this problem?
The new Khelo India Scheme is built to ensure accountability at every level and ensure athletes get priority. A key focus is on Digitisation of end-to-end processes. The expanded Khelo India scheme will undertake good governance practices like, use of Digiliocker to issue certificates, strengthening digital footprint of NSFs and bringing more transparency in the processes. As the Digital Framework’s being developed, all disbursements, documentations, and monitoring across the country will be online. This framework will also have a grievance redressal portal to voice concerns. We will ensure that red tape gives way to the Tricolour on every podium earned by Indian athletes.
While athletes from rural backgrounds are scripting history, how do we ensure that this equitable access is growing day by day and we are able to motivate more youths into the sports?
We are expanding equitable access by strengthening the entire ecosystem. Today, talented athletes identified through Khelo India receive support worth over 6 lakh per year, including an annual out-of-pocket allowance, training, coaching, boarding, lodging, equipment, nutrition, and sports science support, ensuring that financial background is never a barrier to excellence. Our focus is to take opportunities closer to young people. We are building a nationwide talent pipeline that can identify and nurture athletes from rural and tribal districts to onboard over 27,000 athletes under Khelo India.
“Gujarat has a strong ecosystem in place. Not only we are building sports infrastructure, but the long-term planning of urban infrastructure is being integrated into this planning. We will be able to host a memorable centenary Commonwealth Games celebration and establish a new standard of excellence for hosting sports events”
With multiple schemes, Government has transformed sports into a secure and financially lucrative career path. What is the message to young athletes and parents?
Success in sport is not built overnight, but with dedication and the right guidance, every young athlete can aspire to represent the nation with pride. My message to young athletes is simple: dream big and believe that your talent can take you anywhere. Today, the nation stands firmly behind every aspiring sportsperson. I also encourage them to focus on a dual pathway of both sports and education. It is not a question of either/or, but both are equally important. To parents, I would say that sports is no longer just an extracurricular activity. It has emerged as a viable and respected career pathway, supported by scholarships, employment opportunities, and structured athlete development programmes. As part of the CSR Strategy for CPSEs over the next two years, priority is to be given to sports development and support of athletes as well, making this a collective effort to support our athletes. The Department of Public Enterprises has amended its guidelines to increase CSR funding, and it is expected that more funds will come in.
What are the preparations to make Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad (2030) a historic event?
Gujarat already has a strong ecosystem in place, where the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex is the most recent infrastructure built. The complex has hosted international tournaments including the Asian Aquatics Championship 2025, the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championship 2025, and the AVC Men’s Volleyball Cup 2026 where India performed exceptionally. Many other events are lined up in the city including the World Police and Fire Games in 2029. The city will also host the 2030 CWG, which is a matter of pride for the country. Not only is the city preparing by building sports infrastructure, but the long-term planning of the city’s urban infrastructure is being integrated into this planning. The transformation plan includes initiatives such as extension of metro lines, improvement of highways, introduction of bullet train connectivity, and the revitalisation of the Sabarmati Riverfront. I have great confidence that we will be able to host a memorable centenary Commonwealth Games celebration in 2030 and establish a new standard of excellence for hosting sports events.
