New Delhi, September 12, 2025: Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya on Friday emphasised the need for sport to become a collective and common mission for the nation at PlayCom 2025: Business of Sports Summit at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The two-day summit is organised by The Hindu Group’s Sportstar in partnership with global consulting firm KPMG India.
“Sport must become a people’s movement, one in which every citizen has a stake. As the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has said, when one person takes a step forward, it is just one step. But when 140 crore Indians move forward with collective resolve, the nation moves 140 crore steps ahead,” Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya said.
Before his address, the Minister unveiled the KPMG Sportstar India Business of Sports Report and inaugurated the Sports Tech and Manufacturing Expo, a showcase of innovation and industry collaboration in the sporting ecosystem.
Speaking on government initiatives such as Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), which provides world-class facilities to elite sportspersons he said, “To truly take Indian sport forward, we need a holistic approach, a vision document, clear planning, and the involvement of all stakeholders.”
Sharing insight on the National Sports Policy, “It draws on global best practices but is rooted in our own model. We must learn from the world, but our framework must reflect India’s unique strengths. The policy emphasizes good governance, strong infrastructure, the application of sports science, and systematic talent identification and nurturing.”
The Minister also highlighted India’s diversity as a unique strength that needs to be leveraged. “At the same time of the year, one part of our country experiences heavy snowfall in the Himalayas, another faces scorching 45-degree heat in Rajasthan’s deserts, while the South witnesses monsoon rains in Tamil Nadu. Nowhere else in the world is there such range. Talent exists everywhere; in villages, cities, and tribal areas. Our responsibility is to build an ecosystem that gives every talented child a chance.”
Referencing grassroots programmes such as Khelo India and Fit India as proof of the upward trend in Indian sport, the Minister remarked, “The Sundays on Cycle movement, for example, began with just 250 cycling clubs registering, and now has grown to over 8,000 locations across the country. This proves there is no shortage of passion or ability in India. What our youth need is opportunity, respect, and the right environment to thrive.”
Underlining the vision, he said, “Every child should grow up with the passion to play, every street should become a playground, and every podium should be a stage for India’s flag to fly high.”
Echoing these sentiments, legendary athlete and Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President PT Usha called for India to broaden its sporting horizon. “Our vision should be to see India excel not just in cricket or a handful of sports, but also in athletics, swimming, gymnastics, cycling, and more. That is the future we must work towards together,” she said.
PT Usha added that a cultural shift was essential to unlock India’s sporting potential. “Sports should not be something we watch only during a big match. It should be woven into our daily lives. Every school should give children time and space to play. Every community should have safe grounds for boys and girls to train. Parents should see sport not as a risk, but as an opportunity. When we build such a culture, medals and records will follow naturally.”
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