Cabinet Approves Khelo Bharat Niti, Aims to Make India Top 5 Sporting Nations

NEW DELHI: The Union Cabinet on Tuesday approved the “Khelo Bharat Niti,” a national sports policy aimed at reshaping India’s sporting landscape and empowering citizens through athletics. This new policy supersedes the National Sports Policy of 2001 and provides a strategic roadmap to establish India as a global sporting powerhouse and a strong contender at international events, including the 2036 Olympic Games.

The government said the policy results from extensive consultations with central ministries, NITI Aayog, state governments, national sports federations, athletes, domain experts, and public stakeholders.

In an X post, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote, “Today is a landmark day in India’s efforts to encourage sporting talent and become a hub for sports! The Cabinet has approved ‘Khelo Bharat Niti,’ a national policy for sports. This policy is anchored on five pillars: Excellence on the Global Stage; Sports for Economic Development; Sports for Social Development; Sports as a People’s Movement; and Integration with Education (NEP 2020). May Indian sporting talent always flourish!”

Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated, “We have applied the experience of the last ten years, and this new policy will drive sports improvement. Our major objective is to make India a top-five sporting nation by 2047.”

In another X post, Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya added, “Making India a Global Sporting Powerhouse! Grateful to PM Shri @narendramodi Ji— the Union Cabinet has approved Khelo Bharat Niti 2025, a transformative step toward reshaping India’s sporting ecosystem. This landmark policy outlines a strategic roadmap to promote sports culture at the grassroots, enhance infrastructure, support athlete development, and establish India as a formidable force in global sports.”

Key features of the policy include:

• Strengthening sports programmes from grassroots to elite levels, with early talent identification and nurturing.
  
• Promoting competitive leagues and competitions and developing infrastructure in rural and urban areas.
  
• Building world-class systems for training, coaching, and holistic athlete support, and enhancing the capacity and governance of national sports federations.
  
• Encouraging the adoption of sports science, sports medicine, and technology to boost performance.
  
• Recognising the economic potential of sports by promoting sports tourism, hosting international events, and developing a robust sports manufacturing and startup ecosystem through public-private partnerships and innovative financing.
  
• Driving social inclusion by increasing participation among women, economically weaker sections, tribal communities, and persons with disabilities, and revitalizing indigenous and traditional games.
  
• Integrating sports into education per NEP 2020, equipping teachers with specialized training, and promoting dual-career pathways and volunteering.
  
• Engaging the Indian diaspora to strengthen India’s global sporting ties.