India has set its sights on becoming one of the world’s top five sporting nations by 2047, according to Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya. He emphasized that sports is a crucial element in the government’s ambitious plan to transform India into a superpower by the year 2047. Mandaviya unveiled that the roadmap to achieve this goal was meticulously developed during the COVID-19 pandemic, a period of significant upheaval.
The minister underscored that the government has established a target of securing a top-five ranking in sports by 2047, coinciding with India’s vision of becoming a developed nation. He stressed the importance of a strategic pathway to ensure the realization of this ambitious target.
Mandaviya, who served as the Union Health Minister during the pandemic, asserted that India’s inherent diversity presents immense potential for sporting excellence. He believes that the country is blessed with abundant talent, and the key lies in providing opportunities for its realization.
In a significant move to identify and nurture young talent, the minister launched the second phase of the KIRTI project, aiming to identify one lakh young athletes within 100 days. He expressed his belief that the nationwide talent hunt under Khelo India Rising Talent Identification (KIRTI) will serve as a stepping stone towards achieving India’s goal of becoming one of the top five nations in the Olympic Games by 2047.
Mandaviya further emphasized that India’s vast diversity and potential extend far beyond urban centers. He expressed confidence that even remote regions like the Northeast, coastal areas, Himalayan regions, and tribal areas hold the promise of nurturing quality sportspersons. The KIRTI program, in its third phase, will encompass all 20 disciplines of the Khelo India scheme, ensuring opportunities for all athletes to develop their skills regardless of their background or location.
The minister’s address at the launch event highlighted the importance of fostering a supportive environment for aspiring athletes. He assured the young participants that among them, an Olympic champion will undoubtedly emerge, urging their parents to continue providing unwavering support.
The Sports Authority of India (SAI) will undertake an assessment of over 25,000 MCD students in Delhi, covering 12 zones and five key disciplines: Athletics, Football, Volleyball, Kabaddi, and Kho-Kho, over a period of almost a month.
