Modi Urges Playgrounds Over Screens at Khelo India Dialogue

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for greater participation in sports and more access to playgrounds and sports centres, urging children and young people to spend more time on the playing field and less time on screens.

Addressing the virtual Khelo India Dialogue during the National Sports Day 2026 celebrations, Modi connected with participants at more than 5,000 locations across the country. He stressed the importance of developing a strong sporting culture from the grassroots level to build India’s future sporting champions.

The Prime Minister highlighted India’s limited participation in Olympic disciplines, noting that the country competed in only 13 events at the 2012 Olympics. He said expanding participation across more sporting disciplines will be crucial to improving India’s performance on the global stage.

As part of the country’s long-term sporting ambitions, Modi also announced a nationwide talent search for children aged 5 to 15 years. Promising young athletes will receive government support as India works towards its sporting objectives for 2036.

The initiative aims to identify sporting talent at an early age and provide athletes with the training, facilities and support needed to progress from grassroots competition to international platforms.

Telangana is also set to host the Khelo India Youth Games in December, with more than 6,000 athletes expected to compete across 25 disciplines. The event is part of efforts to strengthen India’s sports ecosystem and create greater opportunities for young athletes.

The government’s focus, Modi said, is to build a sporting ecosystem that encourages children to play, nurtures talent and creates a pathway from local playgrounds to the world’s biggest sporting stages.