The Impressive TimesAhmedabad: Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Dr Mansukh Mandaviya on Thursday delivered a strong message on reform and accountability while addressing the Sports Governance Conclave in Ahmedabad, declaring that India’s ambition to finish among the world’s top ten nations at the Olympics is a firm and non-negotiable objective.
The conclave, held at the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex, was organised jointly by the Government of India, the Government of Gujarat and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA). It brought together representatives of National Sports Federations, State Olympic Associations and members of the IOA Executive Council.
Speaking to the gathering, Dr Mandaviya outlined the government’s clear roadmap for transforming India’s sports ecosystem. He stressed the need for clean governance, wider competitive exposure for athletes, structured talent scouting from the grassroots level, stronger coaching systems and increased private sector involvement in sports infrastructure, academies and professional leagues.
The Minister said the past one-and-a-half years have seen decisive steps toward institutional reform in Indian sports, reflecting the government’s determination to bring lasting change. He referred to initiatives such as the National Sports Governance Act, Khelo Bharat Niti, revised norms for National Sports Federations and improvements in coaching recruitment mechanisms as evidence of this intent.
Sending an unambiguous message to sporting bodies, Dr Mandaviya said long-standing problems within federations — including factionalism, financial mismanagement, unfair selection processes and governance disputes — can no longer be tolerated. He emphasised that athletes’ interests and the nation’s image must always take precedence over internal politics.
While reaffirming respect for the autonomy of sports federations, the Minister said autonomy must go hand in hand with transparency, ethical conduct and athlete-focused decision-making. He added that the success of governance reforms would depend largely on how sincerely federations implement them.
Highlighting the responsibilities under the National Sports Governance Act, Dr Mandaviya said federations must ensure timely elections, transparent financial systems, effective athlete and ethics commissions, and strict adherence to prescribed governance standards.
Calling for a modern and professional approach, the Minister urged federations to develop structured plans for the short, medium and long term, spanning one to ten years. He said sports organisations must be run by qualified pro
Dr Mandaviya also revealed that several new policy measures are on the anvil, including uniform and transparent selection trials, the “One Corporate, One Sport” initiative, and expanded welfare support for athletes.
Referring to the government’s growing investment in sports science, nutrition, injury management and high-performance systems, he urged federations to align their efforts with the scale and urgency of the national vision.
Reiterating India’s global sporting aspirations, the Minister said achieving a top-ten position in the Olympic medal tally is a collective responsibility, with National Sports Federations and State Olympic Associations playing a decisive role.
He added that consistent progress must be visible in upcoming international events, starting with the Asian Games in 2026. The 2030 Commonwealth Games, he said, should mark a defining chapter for India — not only as a host nation but as a dominant sporting force.
Describing the current phase as a historic opportunity for Indian sports, Dr Mandaviya concluded by saying that the actions taken today will shape the country’s sporting legacy. “This is a defining moment, and history will judge us by what we accomplish now,” he said.
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