National Sports Day 2025 to be celebrated with ‘Ek Ghanta Khel Ke Maidan Mein’ campaign
From Grassroots to Glory: Transforming Sports for ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’
The Impressive TimesTIT Correspondent
info@impressivetimes.com
“When I see an environment of promoting sports within Indian families, my heart swells with pride. I consider this the most auspicious sign for the future of the nation.” – Prime Minister Narendra Modi, 15 August 2025
With nearly 65% of India’s population below the age of 35, the Government has positioned sports as a key pillar of youth empowerment. The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports has been allocated a record ₹3,794 crore for FY 2025-26, marking a 130.9% increase since 2014-15, firmly embedding sports in the national vision for Viksit Bharat 2047.
Flagship initiatives such as Khelo India, TOPS, Fit India, and Kirti are nurturing grassroots talent, promoting fitness as a mass movement, and positioning sports as a driver of national pride, economic growth, and global leadership.
The National Sports Governance Act, 2025 introduces historic reforms, including mandatory athlete representation, gender inclusion, safe sport policies, and transparency measures. Significantly, it brings sports bodies under the ambit of the Right to Information Act, ensuring greater accountability.
The upcoming National Sports Day (29 August) will be celebrated under the theme “Ek Ghanta Khel Ke Maidan Mein” (One Hour on the Playground). The three-day nationwide campaign (29–31 August), led by the Fit India Mission, will promote daily physical activity to prevent lifestyle-related diseases, while honouring the Olympic values of excellence, friendship, respect and Paralympic values of courage, determination, inspiration, and equality.
The legacy of Major Dhyan Chand, born on 29 August and celebrated as National Sports Day, remains a source of inspiration for generations. Known as the “Wizard of Hockey”, Dhyan Chand epitomized focus, humility, and national pride.
Record Budget Allocation: ₹3,794 crore for FY 2025-26; 130.9% rise since 2014-15.
Sports Authority of India (SAI): Strengthening talent scouting, training, international exposure, sports science, infrastructure, and athlete monitoring.
National Sports Governance Act, 2025: Athlete welfare, gender equity, safe sport policies, term limits for officials, and generational leadership renewal.
Khelo Bharat Policy 2025: Integrating sports with NEP 2020, institutionalising early talent identification through Kirti (Khelo India Rising Talent Identification), and building a pathway for India’s 2036 Olympic bid.
Khelo India Programme: 328 new sports infrastructure projects sanctioned; 1,045 Khelo India Centres; 34 State Centres of Excellence; support for 2,845 athletes with coaching, medical aid, and stipends.
TOPS (Target Olympic Podium Scheme): Expanded to support 174 elite athletes and 2 hockey teams; ₹50,000 monthly allowance for core group athletes and scholarships for juniors.
Fit India Movement: Driving behavioural change towards active lifestyles through mass awareness campaigns and fitness sessions.
National Sports University, Imphal: Aiming to produce world-class athletes, coaches, and sports professionals.
National Sports Awards: Recognising outstanding athletes, coaches, and institutions annually on National Sports Day.
Pension & Welfare Schemes: Lifetime pension for retired athletes, and financial assistance up to ₹10 lakh under welfare programmes.
NSDF (National Sports Development Fund): Mobilising private sector and philanthropic contributions to strengthen sports infrastructure and athlete support.
NCSSR (National Centre for Sports Science & Research): Backed by ₹260 crore budget to advance sports science, rehabilitation, and performance enhancement.
India’s performance in recent Olympics reflects a new era of sporting excellence:
| Year | Host City | Indian Athletes | Medals Won |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Rio de Janeiro | 117 | 2 |
| 2020 | Tokyo | 124 | 7 |
| 2024 | Paris | 117 | 6 |
Notable achievers include Neeraj Chopra, India’s first Olympic gold medallist in athletics (Tokyo 2020), and Mirabai Chanu, a consistent weightlifting medallist.
From grassroots participation to podium victories, India’s sporting journey has been transformational. With reforms like the National Sports Governance Act 2025 and the Khelo Bharat Policy 2025, the nation is building a robust ecosystem to convert athletic potential into national and international achievements.
Through athlete-centric governance, scientific training, and transparent accountability, India is preparing a new generation that will drive both sporting excellence and national progress towards Viksit Bharat 2047 and the 2036 Olympic dream.
No Comments: