Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address young people and sportspersons across the country on August 27 as part of a nationwide programme ahead of National Sports Day.
The virtual address will be part of ‘Khelo India Samvaad – Khel Ki Baat, PM Ke Saath’, a Sports Ministry initiative being organised at more than 1,500 locations across India.
National Sports Day is observed on August 29 to commemorate the birth anniversary of legendary hockey player Major Dhyan Chand.
Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said the programme will bring together youth, athletes and educational institutions, including IITs, IIMs, NITs, AIIMS, premier medical colleges and universities.
The event will include a video presentation highlighting changes in India’s sporting ecosystem over the past 12 years, followed by the Prime Minister’s virtual interaction with young participants.
Following the address, sports-related programmes will be held at participating locations. In New Delhi, celebrations will take place at several venues, including IIT Delhi, where Mandaviya will participate.
Several leading athletes and medal winners will also interact with young participants. The list includes P.T. Usha, Manika Batra, Deepa Karmakar, Saina Nehwal, Gagan Narang, Sreejesh, Mary Kom, Baichung Bhutia, Pullela Gopichand, Anju Bobby George, Karnam Malleswari and Mirabai Chanu, along with cricketers.
The programme will focus on strengthening grassroots sports facilities and coaching, identifying and developing talent for the 2036 Olympics, encouraging youth participation in governance and empowering young people to contribute to nation-building.
Youth participants will also be invited to share their ideas, experiences and suggestions on strengthening India’s sports ecosystem. Their inputs will be taken to policymakers and other stakeholders.
A Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue Quiz will also be organised as part of the wider youth engagement initiative, while young people will be encouraged to register on the MY Bharat Portal.
The initiative aims to extend youth participation beyond the National Sports Day celebrations and build a long-term platform for engagement between young Indians, athletes and policymakers.
