PM Modi inaugurates 7th Khelo India Youth Games

New Delhi, May 4: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday inaugurated the 7th Khelo India Youth Games through videoconferencing, declaring the event a milestone in India’s sporting journey and reaffirming the country’s ambition to host the Olympic Games in 2036. “Hosting the Olympics has been a dream of every Indian, and we are working relentlessly to make that a reality,” Modi said, linking India’s grassroots sports revolution with its growing global aspirations.

Addressing over 6,000 young athletes competing across five cities in Bihar – Patna, Rajgir, Gaya, Bhagalpur, and Begusarai – the prime minister lauded the rising sporting spirit among India’s youth. “As India’s sporting culture grows, so will the country’s soft power on the global stage,” he remarked, urging athletes to see themselves as “brand ambassadors of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat.”

Describing sports as a force that transcends playing fields, the prime minister highlighted the government’s push to modernise sports infrastructure and elevate sports to a national priority. “In the past 10 years, our sports budget has more than tripled to nearly `4,000 crore,” he said, noting that over 1,000 Khelo India Centres are now operational across India, including more than three dozen in Bihar alone.

He cited Bihar’s growing prominence in national sports, mentioning the development of a sports city along the Patna-Gaya highway and institutions like the Bihar Sports University and the State Sports Academy. “The Khelo India Youth Games will further strengthen Bihar’s presence on the national sports map,” Modi declared.

The Prime Minister also paid tribute to young talents such as Vaibhav Suryavanshi, a cricketer from Bihar who has made headlines with his IPL performance. “Vaibhav’s success reflects how exposure to continuous competition shapes champions,” said Modi, reinforcing the importance of consistent opportunities for athletes.

Pointing to India’s long-standing aspiration to host the Olympics, Modi reaffirmed his government's commitment to bringing the Games to India in 2036. “Hosting the Olympics has been a dream of every Indian, and we are working relentlessly to make that a reality,” he said.

In his wide-ranging address, Modi emphasised the economic potential of sports, citing emerging career fields such as sports data analytics, physiotherapy, management, e-sports, and broadcasting. “A stadium is no longer just a venue for matches—it is now a source of thousands of jobs,” he said, highlighting sports’ growing role in youth employment and entrepreneurship.

Promoting the inclusion of traditional Indian sports, Modi noted that the Youth Games now feature indigenous disciplines such as Gatka, Kalaripayattu, Kho-Kho, Mallakhamb, and Yogasana. He also applauded Indian athletes’ rising success in lesser-known international sports like Wushu, Sepak Takraw, and Lawn Bowls. “When our women's team won a medal in lawn bowls at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, it brought global recognition to the sport and to India,” he recalled. Calling on athletes to embody the spirit of “Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat”, Modi encouraged participants to not only compete with passion but also cherish the rich culture of Bihar. “Those visiting from other states must try the taste of Litti Chokha and Bihar’s famous Makhana,” he added with a smile.

The ceremony was attended by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Union Ministers Mansukh Mandaviya, Raksha Khadse, and Ram Nath Thakur, among other dignitaries. Concluding his speech, Prime Minister Modi officially declared the Games open, expressing hope that the event would ignite both sporting excellence and patriotic spirit in the hearts of the nation’s youth.