India ready to host 2036 Olympics, says Prime Minister Narendra Modi

The PM also said that there is no shortage of sporting talent in the country during the opening ceremony of National Games 2023 in Goa.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced a significant boost in India's sports budget, emphasizing that the allocation for the year 2023-24 is three times larger than it was nine years ago. This increase comes on the back of India's recent sports achievements, with an impressive 107 medals secured at the Asian Games in China. PM Modi made these declarations while inaugurating the 37th National Games at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Margao, during a period when Indian sports is scaling unprecedented heights.

PM Modi underlined India's growing prowess in sports and its readiness to host the 2036 Olympic Games. He mentioned the introduction of modified schemes to offer financial incentives to athletes and expressed confidence in India's abundant sporting talent. PM Modi also cited several recent government initiatives, including the passage of the Women's Reservation Bill, successful tests in the Gaganyaan mission, the launch of Namo Bharat trains, and 'Operation Ajay' for facilitating the return of Indians from Israel.

Since 2014, the government has invested in essential sports infrastructure, improved transparency in the selection process for competitions, and updated financial schemes for athletes, according to PM Modi. He emphasized that his government has actively worked to eliminate hindrances to sports development and has laid out a plan to guide athletes to Olympics success.

PM Modi highlighted the National Games as a robust platform for young athletes, encouraging them to surpass existing records. He reiterated India's readiness to host the 2036 Olympic Games and emphasized the role of the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) in offering top-tier training to athletes. He also expressed India's preparedness to host the Youth Olympics in 2030 and the Olympics in 2036.

PM Modi underscored the economic growth and burgeoning middle class in India, projecting the country to become a leading economic power in 13 years. He envisioned the Indian tricolor being prominent in various domains, from sports to space. He emphasized the direct connection between sports development and economic growth, stating that negativity in the country can impact sporting performance. PM Modi concluded by noting that India's sports success is intertwined with the nation's overall progress.

PM Modi emphasized the pivotal role of youth in the nation's development and announced the launch of a new platform called "Mera Yuva Bharat" on October 31. This platform aims to connect youth from both urban and rural areas, facilitating their interaction with the government and offering opportunities for participation in nation-building efforts.

PM Modi commended the Goa government and its residents for their efforts in organizing the National Games, stating that the sports infrastructure developed in Goa will benefit the state's youth for many years to come. He also anticipated the state producing new players for the nation and the infrastructure serving as a venue for future national and international sports events.

The National Games are taking place in Goa from October 26 to November 9, with over 10,000 athletes from across the country participating in 43 sports disciplines across 28 venues. Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur, Goa Governor P S Sreedharan Pillai, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, Union Minister Shripad Naik, and Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president P T Usha, among others, were present on the occasion.