PM Modi Launches Sports Talent Hunt for 2036 Olympics
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced a nationwide sports talent hunt for children aged five to 15 as India steps up preparations for its ambition to host the 2036 Olympic Games. The programme aims to identify promising athletes at an early age and provide them with structured training and long-term development support.
Nationwide Sports Talent Hunt for Children
Addressing the nation from the Red Fort on India’s 80th Independence Day, Modi said the talent identification campaign would reach villages, cities and schools across the country.
Children between five and 15 years will be assessed to identify sporting ability and potential.
Selected youngsters are expected to receive specialised support aimed at developing them into competitive athletes, creating a broader grassroots talent pool across multiple sporting disciplines.
India Steps Up 2036 Olympics Preparations
Modi linked the talent hunt with India’s ambition to host the 2036 Olympics and improve its performance at major international competitions.
If awarded the Games, India would host the Summer Olympics for the first time.
The government has been expanding sports infrastructure, athlete-development programmes and scientific talent-identification systems as part of its long-term Olympic strategy.
Grassroots Sports Pipeline Gets Bigger Push
The initiative builds on existing talent-identification programmes designed to assess young athletes through standardised physical and sporting tests.
The broader objective is to create a sustainable pipeline of athletes capable of competing internationally by 2036 and beyond.
Early identification is expected to allow coaches and sports authorities to provide promising children with structured training, nutrition, competition exposure and specialised development over a longer period.
