Kishan Reddy States That Every Child Should Play, and Every Talent Should Excel

Hyderabad:Union minister G. Kishan Reddy called upon youngsters to actively contribute to building a modern sports ecosystem and preparing India for the 2036 Olympic Games. He was speaking at the Khelo India Dialogue – “Khel Ki Baat PM Ke Saath” at The English and Foreign Languages University (EFLU), Hyderabad, which saw online participation from over 1,500 educational institutions nationwide and was addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Kishan Reddy said: “Every child should have the opportunity to play, every talent should get the opportunity to excel, and every athlete should receive the support needed to compete with the best in the world.” He noted that Indian athletes’ recent performances are inspiring a new generation and that sports is now viewed as a key instrument of youth development, health, employment, national pride and nation-building.

Highlighting landmark achievements, he cited Neeraj Chopra’s historic Tokyo 2020 gold, the men’s hockey team’s bronze after 41 years, and Manu Bhaker’s two bronze medals at Paris 2024 as proof that Olympic podiums are within reach for Indian youth. Reddy also pointed to the substantial rise in government investment in sports since 2014, strengthening infrastructure, training facilities and athlete opportunities across the country.

Emphasising that preparations for 2036 must begin now in schools, colleges, academies and Khelo India Centres, he urged students to dream big, train hard and remain disciplined, stressing that talent can emerge from villages and towns, not just metros. He called on youth to help build a “Fit India, Healthy India, Developed India, Confident India, Powerful India, Youthful India and Sports India” as part of the Viksit Bharat vision.