Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said his government is committed to making India a sporting superpower ahead of the Olympics 2036. In a video address to launch the ‘Khelo India Youth Games 2025’, Mr Modi said his government has increased the sports budget by three times over the past decade and allocated 4,000 crore rupees this year. Highlighting his government’s top priority to promote sports and improve infrastructure, he said sporting events are now organised round the year, and even the National Education Policy has recognised sports by making it a part of mainstream studies. Prime Minister said, be it university games, youth games, winter games or para-games, the government is committed to exposing sportspersons to new forms of sports. Mr Modi also highlighted the push for improving facilities in Bihar and said a sports city is being developed on the Patna-Gaya Highway. He said the growing facilities in villages in the state are examples of the gains from the NDA’s double-engine government. Reflecting on the economic aspect of sporting culture, Mr Modi said, the sports economy is not limited just to the stadium, but its impact goes beyond that as it creates hundreds of jobs and opens new avenues for employment. Prime Minister said, sports also open avenues in fields like sports entrepreneurship, physiotherapy, data analytics, sports technology, e-sports, sports media and event management.

The mega sporting event for under-18 age group players, ‘Khelo India Youth Games 2025’, began with colourful and grand celebrations at Patna in Bihar yesterday. Over 8,500 young sporting talents of girls’ and boys’ categories will fight for medals in different events. More than 2,400 medals in different sports are at stake. The competitions will be held at six different cities, including Patna, Rajgir, Gaya, Bhagalpur and Begusarai. Three kinds of events of cycling, shooting and athletics will be held in New Delhi.