Kanha Shanti Vanam: Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports and Labour & Employment, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, chaired a two-day Chintan Shivir aimed at charting India’s path to success for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics and strengthening its bid to host the 2036 Summer Olympics. The event, held at the serene Kanha Shanti Vanam in Telangana, gathered sports ministers from various States and Union Territories (UTs), senior sports administrators, government officials, and domain experts to collaborate and lay the foundation for India’s emergence as a global sports powerhouse.
Dr. Mandaviya, in his address, emphasized the importance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for India to host the 2036 Olympics. He urged states to play an active role in realizing this dream, stating, “This Chintan Shivir is guided by the Prime Minister’s vision of good governance and collaboration. It is a platform where we come together to strategize for hosting the Olympics.”
The Shivir focused on critical aspects such as talent identification, coaching methodologies, sports infrastructure, and sustainable development of sports. Delegates from various states, including Jammu & Kashmir, Odisha, Haryana, Bihar, Kerala, Uttarakhand, Gujarat, and Uttar Pradesh, shared their best practices, with Dr. Mandaviya stressing the need for collective effort across the nation to ensure India’s sporting success.
Addressing the vision of a “Viksit Bharat” by 2047, Dr. Mandaviya stated, “Sports should not be isolated in silos; it must be approached with a collaborative mindset. We must unite to make India a formidable sporting nation.”
A central theme during the event was the success of the Khelo India initiative, which has been instrumental in identifying and nurturing young athletes. Dr. Mandaviya highlighted that over 2,800 Khelo India academies have been set up, with 937 out of 1,045 Khelo India Centres currently operational. He stressed the creation of a national athlete repository with unique IDs for tracking the progress of athletes, ensuring their growth within the system.
“We cannot afford to let talent slip through the cracks. A scientific approach to talent management, coupled with active participation from National Sports Federations, is critical for our Olympic aspirations,” said Dr. Mandaviya.
The Chintan Shivir also emphasized the importance of grassroots sports development. Dr. Mandaviya announced that new initiatives under Khelo India, including beach games, water sports, and indigenous games, would be introduced to foster regional participation and strengthen India’s sports culture. He also called for identifying and nurturing athletes between the ages of 9-14 to create a sustainable pipeline for future Olympic champions.
Sports governance was another area of significant discussion, with participants advocating for greater transparency in the National Sports Federations. The focus was on improving selection processes and ensuring fair and merit-based opportunities for young athletes. The importance of building a robust athlete-centric governance model was emphasized to inspire confidence among parents and encourage them to support their children’s pursuit of sports as a career.
Infrastructure development for sports also featured prominently in the discussions. The participants advocated for optimizing the existing sports infrastructure across states, PSUs, and the private sector. The proposal to establish District-Level Sports Schools (DLSSs) to boost grassroots-level talent scouting and training was also discussed.
During the event, participants engaged in a mindfulness session led by Padma Bhushan Daaji, fostering focus and mental clarity. The day concluded with a vibrant cultural program celebrating India’s rich cultural heritage, showcasing traditional music, dance, and performances, further solidifying the country’s diverse spirit.
