Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav virtually participated in the ‘Khelo India Dialogue, “Khel Ki Baat PM Modi Ke Saath” programme from Dumna Airport in Jabalpur on Thursday, marking National Sports Day.

The interaction, led by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi, brought together more than 800,000 young people associated with nearly 1,600 institutions from across the country through a virtual platform.

The programme was organised at the Government Mahakaushal Arts and Commerce College in Jabalpur’s Civil Lines area, where students and other young participants watched a live broadcast of the Prime Minister’s address.

Sports beyond medals

Greeting young people and members of the sporting community on National Sports Day, PM Modi paid tribute to legendary hockey player Major Dhyan Chand.

The Prime Minister said sport should not be viewed merely as a means of winning medals. Instead, it serves as a powerful way of bringing together India’s “youth power” and “sporting power” in the pursuit of a developed India.

He stressed that the success of an athlete enhances the identity of not only the player, but also their family, school, college, district and state.

PM Modi also called for greater Indian participation in the Olympic Games, noting that several sporting disciplines still have limited representation from the country. He advocated identifying new opportunities in sports and developing specialised sporting ecosystems in different regions.

Focus on 2036 Olympics

Referring to preparations for the 2036 Olympics, PM Modi proposed a large-scale talent hunt to identify promising children between the ages of five and 15.

He said talent identification should go beyond a child’s personal interest and take into account their ability and suitability for a particular sport. Appropriate training should then be provided to help young athletes realise their potential.

The government, he said, is working towards creating a modern sporting ecosystem, including sports universities, advanced training centres and other necessary facilities.

Sports as a career and lifestyle

PM Modi highlighted the role of sports in teaching young people to rise again after setbacks and continue moving forward. Referring to the achievements of para-athletes, he said their success inspires families as well as society at large.

He also emphasised the importance of sport for fitness, a healthier lifestyle and improved quality of life, while underlining its role in encouraging young people to stay away from substance abuse.

According to PM Modi, sports is also emerging as a promising career option. Opportunities are expanding in areas such as sports equipment, technology, medicine, nutrition, psychology and analytics.

Urging young people to make sport a part of their everyday lives, the Prime Minister also encouraged them to share their ideas and contribute to India’s growing sporting ecosystem.