Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday highlighted expansion of India’s sports infrastructure in the last 11 years.
Responding to an article written by Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, PM Modi shared on X, “Union Minister Shri @mansukhmandviya highlights how India’s sports infrastructure has expanded at an unprecedented scale in the last 11 years. With youth at its core, this transformation is propelling India towards becoming a global sporting powerhouse.”
In his article, Mandaviya elaborated on how India is heading towards becoming a global sporting powerhouse.
Mandaviya said on X, “Under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi Ji, the last 11 years have witnessed a historic transformation in India’s sporting landscape, from world-class infrastructure development to athlete-centric decision making.”
India’s sporting landscape has witnessed transformation over the past 11 years, driven by a series of flagship initiatives introduced under the Modi government. The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has been central to this progress, from developing grassroots infrastructure to nurturing Olympic medal hopefuls — ushering in a new era for Indian sports.
Recognising sports as a powerful vehicle for empowerment and nation-building — especially in a country where nearly 65% of the population is youth — the government has raised sports ministry’s budget by 130.9%, from ₹1,643 crore in 2014–15 to ₹3,794 crore for 2025–26.
Central to this transformation is the Khelo India programme, launched in 2016–17. With ₹1,000 crore allocated in the latest budget, it has supported the creation of over 1,000 training centres, approved 326 infrastructure projects, and nurtured nearly 2,845 athletes through coaching and financial assistance.
India has also witnessed a remarkable surge in sporting achievements over the past 11 years, with Indian athletes delivering historic performances across major international competitions.
At the Olympics, India went from winning just 2 medals at Rio 2016 to a record 7 medals at Tokyo 2020 and 6 at Paris 2024.
The Paralympics marked an even more dramatic transformation. From just 4 medals in Rio 2016, India bagged 19 in Tokyo 2020 and a record-breaking 29 medals in Paris 2024, including 7 golds.
India’s rise continued at the Asian Games, where the Hangzhou 2023 edition became historic with 107 medals from a record 655-member contingent. Similarly, at the Commonwealth Games, India consistently maintained strong performances, securing over 60 medals in each edition from 2014 to 2022.
Indian athletes also made global headlines elsewhere—winning double gold at the 2024 FIDE Chess Olympiad, a gold in javelin at the World Athletics Championships 2023, and a historic Thomas Cup win in badminton in 2022. Shooters and para-table tennis players also delivered standout performances in global competitions.
From village-level talent to international podiums, India’s sports ecosystem has become more inclusive, robust, and focused on performance. As the nation sets its sights on the 2036 Olympics and beyond, these efforts reflect a clear and ambitious vision: to establish India among the world’s top 10 sporting nations.