PM Modi will address young athletes and youth leaders during the Khelo India Dialogue on August 27. The nationwide programme across 1,500 educational institutions will focus on grassroots sports, talent development, youth leadership, future-ready skills and India’s ambitions for the 2036 Olympics.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to address young athletes, students and youth leaders during the nationwide ‘Khelo India Dialogue – Khel Ki Baat, Pradhan Mantri Modi Ke Saath’ programme on August 27, as part of the celebrations marking National Sports Day 2026.
The large-scale youth engagement initiative will be conducted across more than 1,500 educational institutions throughout the country. The programme aims to create a platform where budding athletes, students, policymakers, elected representatives and leading sportspersons can discuss the future of Indian sports, youth leadership and nation-building.
The Prime Minister’s address will be delivered virtually and will be followed by physical programmes being organised simultaneously at participating institutions. Prestigious institutions, including IITs, IIMs, NITs, AIIMS, leading medical colleges and universities, are expected to participate in the nationwide initiative.
The Khelo India Dialogue will focus on four major areas considered important for India’s sporting and youth development landscape. These include strengthening grassroots sports infrastructure, improving coaching and competitive opportunities, identifying and developing sporting talent, and creating stronger pathways for young athletes to reach the elite level.
A significant part of the discussions will focus on India’s long-term sporting ambitions, particularly the goal of preparing athletes for the 2036 Olympics. Participants are expected to discuss scientific approaches to talent identification, structured athlete development and the creation of better opportunities for promising sportspersons to progress from grassroots competitions to national and international platforms.
The initiative will also place considerable emphasis on youth participation in governance and leadership. Young participants will have opportunities to engage with policymakers and elected representatives on issues related to sports, leadership and nation-building.
Future-ready skills, volunteering and greater youth involvement in national development will form another important component of the programme. Organisers aim to encourage young people to view sports not only as a competitive pursuit but also as a pathway towards leadership, discipline, teamwork and social contribution.
The event will bring several prominent Indian sportspersons closer to young participants. Leading athletes and medal winners, including Deepa Karmakar, Saina Nehwal, Gagan Narang, Sreejesh, Mary Kom, Baichung Bhutia, Pullela Gopichand, Anju Bobby George, Karnam Malleswari, Mirabai Chanu and P.T. Usha, are set to interact with students and budding athletes.
These interactions are expected to give young participants an opportunity to learn directly from the experiences of some of India’s most recognised sporting figures. Discussions will cover their sporting journeys, challenges, achievements and lessons from competitive sport.
The programme will also involve political and administrative representatives at various locations. Members of Parliament, MLAs, Union Ministers, Ministers of State and State Sports Ministers are expected to participate and interact with young people on the four broad themes identified for the dialogue.
The organisers are also seeking to extend youth engagement beyond the National Sports Day programme. Participants will be encouraged to take part in the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue Quiz and register on the MY Bharat Portal, providing avenues for continued participation in youth-focused initiatives.
The nationwide dialogue is intended to connect different sections of India’s youth and sporting ecosystem. By bringing athletes, students, policymakers, elected representatives and experienced sportspersons onto a common platform, the initiative seeks to give young people a greater role in shaping discussions about India’s sporting future.
The focus on grassroots development and talent identification is particularly significant as India works towards building a stronger pipeline of athletes for major international competitions. The discussions around the 2036 Olympics are expected to highlight the importance of early identification, scientific training, quality coaching, competitive exposure and sustained support for promising athletes.
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The Khelo India Dialogue will be held on August 27 across more than 1,500 educational institutions as part of the National Sports Day 2026 celebrations. The initiative is expected to combine sports, youth leadership and nation-building while encouraging young Indians to contribute more actively to the country’s future.
