SEP 12: Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, today called for embedding sports culture in every household and community, stressing that “every street in Bharat should become a sporting arena, and every podium should witness Bharat’s flag flying high.”
Addressing the inaugural session of the PLAYCOM Business of Sports Summit 2025 in New Delhi, Dr. Mandaviya urged citizens to make sports a people’s movement. He highlighted initiatives such as Fit India and Khelo India, which have sparked enthusiasm at the grassroots level, and referred to community-driven activities like Sundays on Cycles as examples of citizen participation.
The Minister outlined a bold long-term vision to place India among the world’s top five sporting nations, guided by 10-year and 25-year strategic plans in line with the Prime Minister’s vision of Viksit Bharat.
A major reform, the National Sports Governance Act, 2025, was described as a landmark step towards athlete-centric governance. The Act mandates women’s representation in sports bodies, ensures effective dispute resolution, and strengthens institutional frameworks. Dr. Mandaviya stressed that women should not only participate in sports but also have decision-making roles.
He also highlighted the Khelo Bharat Niti – 2025, developed through global benchmarking and stakeholder consultations, to create a future-ready, inclusive and performance-oriented sports policy. The policy focuses on nurturing young talent, promoting academies, and expanding professional leagues nationwide.
Dr. Mandaviya concluded with a call for collective action by government, industry, institutions, and citizens to transform India into a global sporting powerhouse.
The Minister also inaugurated the Sports Tech and Manufacturing Expo at Bharat Mandapam. The event was attended by Indian Olympic Association President PT Usha and other dignitaries.
