New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for a broader approach to India’s Olympic ambitions, saying the country needs to participate in a much larger number of sporting disciplines if it wants to significantly improve its performance at the Games.
Addressing athletes, students and volunteers virtually during the Khelo India Dialogue on Thursday, Modi said India’s sporting goals should extend beyond simply counting medals. He stressed that developing a strong sporting culture should also contribute to nation-building.
The Prime Minister pointed out that India currently does not compete in a substantial number of sports included in the Olympic programme. He described the situation as a “bitter truth” and said expanding participation would be an important step towards improving the country’s overall Olympic record.
According to Modi, success at the international level cannot be achieved by concentrating only on a limited selection of disciplines. A wider talent pool and greater representation across sports could provide India with more opportunities to compete for honours on the Olympic stage.
The Prime Minister’s remarks also placed emphasis on encouraging young people to take up sports. The Khelo India initiative has been positioned as part of the government’s broader effort to identify talent, improve sporting infrastructure and create greater opportunities for athletes at the grassroots level.
Modi said his vision for sports goes beyond producing medal winners. He argued that sporting participation can play a wider role in building confidence, discipline and a sense of collective purpose among young Indians.
India has traditionally performed strongly in a relatively small number of Olympic disciplines, while its participation across the wider programme has remained limited. Modi’s comments underline the need to broaden that base rather than relying on established medal prospects alone.
The Prime Minister’s message comes as India continues to focus on strengthening its sporting ecosystem and preparing a larger pool of athletes for future international competitions. Expanding participation across disciplines, he suggested, will be central to the country’s ambition of achieving a stronger presence at the Olympics.
