Latest news with #KheloBharatNiti
India Today
4 hours ago
- Business
- India Today
Khelo Bharat Niti 2025, a manifestation of Modi government's ambition for Indian sports
On July 1, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Union Cabinet ushered in a new era for Indian sports with the approval of the Khelo Bharat Niti, the National Sports Policy (NSP) 2025. This visionary policy, replacing the outdated National Sports Policy of 2001, is a bold blueprint to catapult India into the ranks of global sporting on five dynamic pillars - Excellence on the Global Stage, Sports for Economic Development, Sports for Social Development, Sports as a People's Movement, and Integration with Education through NEP 2020 - the Khelo Bharat Niti weaves together ambition, inclusivity, and innovation. It builds on the Modi government's relentless efforts over the past 11 years to revolutionise sports infrastructure and nurture talent through initiatives like Khelo India. This policy isn't just a framework - it's a movement poised to make India a global sporting vision built on five pillarsThe Khelo Bharat Niti is a masterplan that touches every aspect of sports, from grassroots enthusiasm to elite performance. Its five pillars create a seamless vision that blends global aspirations with local impact, ensuring sports becomes a way of life for every Indian. India's dream of dominating international podiums drives the first pillar. The policy lays out a clear path to nurture talent early, equipping athletes with world-class coaching, sports science, and cutting-edge technology. From strengthening National Sports Federations to fostering competitive leagues, it's about creating a culture of excellence. With India eyeing the 2036 Olympics as a host, the policy encourages Indian-origin athletes abroad to represent the nation while building a robust pipeline of champions. It's a call to action for India to shine on the global stage, not just isn't just about medals - it's a catalyst for economic growth. The second pillar positions sports as an engine for job creation, tourism, and innovation. By promoting sports manufacturing, encouraging startups, and attracting global events, the policy taps into the economic potential of sports. Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives invite private players to fuel this growth, transforming sports into a vibrant industry. Imagine stadiums buzzing with tourists, local businesses thriving, and India emerging as a go-to destination for international sporting events - this is the economic ripple effect the policy has the potential to truly unite and uplift, and the third pillar harnesses this power for social change. By prioritising underrepresented groups - women, tribal communities, persons with disabilities, and the LGBTQ+ community - the policy ensures no one is left behind. It also breathes new life into indigenous games, blending cultural pride with modern aspirations. This focus on inclusivity fosters social cohesion, breaks barriers, and builds a healthier, more connected India. It's about using sports to tell stories of resilience and unity across the as a people's movementThe fourth pillar ignites a nationwide passion for sports, turning it into a people's movement. Through community events, accessible infrastructure in rural and urban areas, and campaigns promoting fitness, the policy invites every Indian to embrace an active lifestyle. Schools, workplaces, and neighbourhoods will pulse with sports activities, supported by volunteers and the Indian diaspora. This isn't just about athletes - it's about families playing together, communities rallying around local tournaments, and a nation embracing fitness as a way of with Education (NEP 2020)advertisementThe fifth pillar weaves sports into the fabric of education, aligning with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. By embedding sports in school curriculums and training educators to champion physical education, the policy makes sports a viable career path. It creates dual pathways where students can chase academic dreams alongside athletic goals, fostering discipline, teamwork, and ambition. This integration ensures that the next generation sees sports not as an extracurricular activity but as a cornerstone of holistic development.A decade of building the foundationThe Khelo Bharat Niti didn't emerge in a vacuum - it's the culmination of the Modi government's unwavering commitment to sports over the past 11 years. Since 2014, the focus has been on transforming India's sporting ecosystem, with the Khelo India initiative leading the in 2018, Khelo India has been a gamechanger, identifying and nurturing young talent through grassroots programs, playfield development, and community coaching. It has given opportunities to rural youth, women, and persons with disabilities, ensuring talent knows no government has poured resources into world-class infrastructure, from National Centres of Excellence (NCOEs) under the Sports Authority of India to state-of-the-art equipment like archery gear and weightlifting areas, often overlooked, now boast modern sports facilities, democratising access to training. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw captured this ethos, saying, 'The PM has given a different kind of emphasis to sports, especially in rural areas.' Meanwhile, Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya's push to involve over 40 companies in adopting Olympic sports and promoting leagues signals a forward-thinking approach to professionalising sports management. These efforts have laid a solid foundation, and the Khelo Bharat Niti is ready to take it to the next level.A seamless path to global dominanceWhat makes the Khelo Bharat Niti a gamechanger is its clarity and ambition. Crafted through extensive consultations with ministries, NITI Aayog, state governments, athletes, and the public, it's a policy that reflects India's collective sets measurable benchmarks and time-bound targets, ensuring accountability and progress. By adopting a whole-of-government approach, it integrates sports promotion across all sectors, while encouraging states to align their policies for a unified national policy's focus on inclusivity, innovation, and global competitiveness positions India to not only excel in international arenas but also host landmark events like the 2036 Olympics. It's about leveraging sports science, fostering private sector partnerships, and building a culture of fitness that resonates from villages to cities. As Prime Minister Modi declared, 'Today is a landmark day for India's efforts to encourage sporting talent and become a hub for sports!'A new dawn for Indian sportsThe Khelo Bharat Niti 2025 is more than a policy—it's a clarion call to transform India into a global sporting powerhouse. Its five pillars weave together excellence, economic growth, social inclusion, mass participation, and education, creating a holistic vision for sports. Building on the Modi government's decade-long legacy of infrastructure development and talent nurturing through Khelo India, this policy sets India on a trajectory to rank among the top five sporting nations by 2047. It's a vision where every Indian, from a village athlete to an urban professional, plays a role in making sports a way of life. With the Khelo Bharat Niti, India isn't just chasing medals—it's chasing a legacy of unity, pride, and global leadership in A Sinha is a national spokesperson of the BJP, and an author)- Ends(Views expressed in this opinion piece are those of the author)
India Today
12 hours ago
- Politics
- India Today
Indian-origin players abroad may now represent India under new National Sports Policy
Players of Indian origin living abroad will be encouraged to play for the country, according to the newly-unveiled National Sports Policy, also referred to as the Khelo Bharat Niti, signalling a departure from the government's earlier stance that only Indian passport holders can represent the ban on Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) card holders from representing the country in 2008 has affected India's growth in sports such as football and the 20-page Khelo Bharat Niti document stated that India will seek Peace and International Cooperation Activities through Sports so that "Sports can serve as a powerful tool for international diplomacy and cooperation." "Wherever feasible, promising and prominent Indian-origin athletes living abroad may be encouraged to come back and play for India at the international level," it states."Together, these efforts can transform sport into a dynamic tool of cultural diplomacy and nation-building, strengthening the global Indian identity."Currently, only Indian passport holders are allowed to compete for the the ministry has been mulling revocation of that ban to ensure that 'India's sporting ecosystem can be strengthened'.According to the new policy, India will promote international sports exchange programmes "to allow knowledge sharing, capacity building and collaborative development efforts".advertisement"Sports can serve as a powerful bridge between the Indian diaspora and India, fostering enduring emotional, cultural and social connections. To strengthen this bond, dedicated sporting events and leagues can be organized specifically for and among the Indian diaspora."FOOTBALL KEEN ON OCIsThe All India Football Federation (AIFF) has been particularly keen on allowing OCIs, even though there are no major names who can be considered for India even if the ban is tennis, Prakash Amritraj — son of the legendary Vijay Amritraj — was one of several prominent US passport holders affected by the ban on OCI card holders. He had represented India in 10 Davis Cup ties between 2003 and 2008, before the restrictions came into force and barred players like him from continuing.- Ends
India Gazette
21 hours ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
"Landmark day for India's efforts to encourage sporting talent": New National Sports Policy 2025 approval
New Delhi [India], July 1 (ANI): On the occasion of the approval of the new 'Khelo Bharat Niti 2025', Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the policy marks a 'landmark day for India's efforts to encourage sporting talent and become a hub for sports!'. The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Tuesday approved the National Sports Policy (NSP) 2025, a landmark initiative aimed at reshaping the country's sporting landscape and empowering citizens through sports. Taking to X, PM Modi wrote, 'Today is a landmark day for 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 5 pillars: Excellence on the Global Stage. Sports for Economic Development. Sports for Social Development. Sports as a People's Movement. Integration with Education (NEP 2020). May Indian sporting talent always flourish! ' The Minister of State for Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Raksha Nikhil Khadse hailed the newly-launched 'Khelo Bharat Niti 2025, calling it a 'comprehensive blueprint' designed to 'revolutionize our sporting ecosystem'. Taking to her official Linkedin account, Khade said that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, 'Bharat is on trajectory of becoming a sporting nation'. 'The Khelo Bharat Niti 2025 is far more than just a policy, it is a comprehensive blueprint designed to revolutionize our sporting ecosystem. The policy envisions harnessing the power of sports for nation-building, economic growth, and social inclusion aligned with the Viksit Bharat vision. This new framework replaces the National Sports Policy of 2001, which was in place for the last two decades. It is the result of extensive consultations with a diverse range of stakeholders from Central Ministries, State Governments, Sports Federations, Athletes, domain experts, and the public. Our vision to cultivate excellence at global events is clear, with our sights firmly set on achieving glory at the 2036 Olympic Games and in the future. Under visionary leadership of Hon'ble PM Narendra Modi ji, Bharat is on trajectory of becoming a sporting nation. #KheloBharatNiti Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Government of India Sports Authority of India,' posted Khadse. Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw also posted on X, 'Khelo Bharat Niti 2025 A strategic roadmap to promote sports culture at the grassroots & establish India as a global sporting powerhouse.' Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya also hailed the policy as a 'transformative step towards reshaping India's sporting ecosystem.' 'Making India a Global Sporting Powerhouse! Grateful to PM Shri @narendramodi Ji, the Union Cabinet has approved Khelo Bharat Niti - 2025, a transformative step towards 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,' said Mandaviya. The new policy supersedes the existing National Sports Policy of 2001 and outlines a visionary and strategic roadmap to establish India as a global sporting powerhouse and a strong contender for excellence at international sporting events, including the 2036 Olympic Games. The NSP 2025 is the outcome of extensive consultations involving Central Ministries, NITI Aayog, State Governments, National Sports Federations (NSFs), athletes, domain experts, and public stakeholders. The policy is anchored on five key pillars. The pillar of excellence on the Global Stage aims to strengthen sports programs from the grassroots to elite levels, including mechanisms for early identification and nurturing of talent. Promote the establishment of competitive leagues and competitions, and develop sports infrastructure in both rural and urban areas. It aims to build world-class systems for training, coaching, and holistic athlete support and enhance the capacity and governance of National Sports Federations. Encourage the adoption of sports science, sports science, medicine, and technology to boost athletic performance. Train and develop sports personnel, including coaches, technical officials, and support staff. The NSP 2025 recognises the economic potential of sports and seeks to promote sports tourism and attract major international events to India. It aims to strengthen the sports manufacturing ecosystem and promote startups and entrepreneurship in the sector. Encourage private sector participation through Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and innovative funding initiatives. The policy emphasises the role of sports in driving social inclusion by Promoting participation among women, economically weaker sections, tribal communities, and persons with disabilities through focused programs. Revitalising and promoting indigenous and traditional games. The policy positions sports as a viable career option by integrating it into education, encouraging volunteering, and facilitating dual-career pathways. The policy aims to engage the Indian diaspora through sports. To make sports a national movement, the policy aims to drive mass participation and a culture of fitness through nationwide campaigns and community-based events. Among its other objectives include launching fitness indices for schools, colleges, and workplaces and enhancing universal access to sports facilities. In alignment with the National Education Policy 2020, the NSP 2025 proposes to: Integrate sports into school curricula. Equip educators and physical education teachers with specialised training to promote sports education and awareness. To realise its objectives, the NSP 2025 lays down a comprehensive implementation strategy encompassing: Governance: Establish a robust regulatory framework for sports governance, including a legal framework. It aims to develop innovative financing mechanisms and engage private sector participation through PPPs and CSR. The policy aums to leverage emerging technologies, including AI and data analytics, for performance tracking, research, and program implementation. The NSP 2025 aims to create a national framework with well-defined benchmarks, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), and time-bound targets. Model Policy for States: The NSP 2025 will serve as a model for States and Union Territories, encouraging them to revise or formulate their own policies in alignment with national objectives. The policy calls for a whole-of-government approach to integration of sports promotion into the activities, schemes, and programs of all Ministries and Departments to achieve a holistic impact.(ANI)
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Business Standard
a day ago
- Politics
- Business Standard
Khelo Bharat Niti may let Indian-origin athletes compete abroad
Players of Indian origin living abroad will be encouraged to play for the country, according to the newly-unveiled National Sports Policy, also referred to as the Khelo Bharat Niti, signalling a departure from the government's earlier stance that only Indian passport holders can represent the country. The ban on Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) card holders from representing the country in 2008 has affected India's growth in sports such as football and tennis. However, the 20-page Khelo Bharat Niti document stated that India will seek Peace & International Cooperation Activities through Sports so that "Sports can serve as a powerful tool for international diplomacy and cooperation." "Wherever feasible, promising and prominent Indian-origin athletes living abroad may be encouraged to come back and play for India at the international level," it states. "Together, these efforts can transform sport into a dynamic tool of cultural diplomacy and nation-building, strengthening the global Indian identity." Currently, only Indian passport holders are allowed to compete for the nation. However, the ministry has been mulling revocation of that ban to ensure that India's sporting ecosystem can be strengthened. According to the new policy, India will promote international sports exchange programmes "to allow knowledge sharing, capacity building and collaborative development efforts". "Sports can serve as a powerful bridge between the Indian diaspora and India, fostering enduring emotional, cultural and social connections. To strengthen this bond, dedicated sporting events and leagues can be organized specifically for and among the Indian diaspora." The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has been particularly keen on allowing OCIs, even though there are no major names who can be considered for India even if the ban is revoked. In tennis, Prakash Amritraj son of the legendary Vijay Amritraj was one of several prominent US passport holders affected by the ban on OCI card holders. He had represented India in 10 Davis Cup ties between 2003 and 2008, before the restrictions came into force and barred players like him from continuing.
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Business Standard
a day ago
- Sport
- Business Standard
Cabinet approves Khelo Bharat Niti to boost India's global sports rank
Calling it a "strategic roadmap" for India's elevation into the top five of world sports, the cabinet on Tuesday approved the Khelo Bharat Niti to create "world-class systems" of coaching and athlete support along with a robust administrative set-up to make the country a strong contender for the 2036 Olympics. Previously called the National Sports Policy and introduced for the first time in 1984, the Khelo Bharat Niti 2025 will supersede the 2001 policy. It is a "guiding document" to formulate plans and schemes for betterment of the country's sporting ecosystem. "We have used the experience of the last 10 years and the new policy will work towards improvement of sports. Major objective is to make India a top-five sporting nation by 2047. That's the overall objective," Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw told reporters while unveiling the policy and other cabinet decisions. "The PM has given a different kind of emphasis to sports, especially in rural areas," he said. "It's a well thought through policy which addresses all matters related to sports. It also includes the framework for sports governance," he added. India is bidding to host the 2036 Olympic Games for which there has been a massive push to create infrastructure and bring events of international stature to the country. A statement from the Press Information Bureau described the new policy as an outcome of "extensive consultations" involving central ministries, NITI Aayog, state governments, National Sports Federations (NSFs), athletes, domain experts, and public stakeholders. It seeks to link sports with tourism and economic development. "So many people travel to watch an IPL, a football game. So that boosts tourism and economic development," Vaishnaw said. The document also seeks to align with the National Education Policy by making sports an integral part of school curriculum. It states that the objective is to equip educators and physical education teachers with specialised training to promote sports education. Among the listed goals is to establish a robust regulatory framework for sports governance and development of innovative financing mechanisms, including private sector participation through PPPs and CSR. Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya called it a transformative step towards 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," he posted on X. The changes it makes to the previous policy includes calling for greater participation of private companies, something that Mandaviya has already spoken about. The minister had recently stated that he has held consultations with over 40 companies, who are keen on adopting individual Olympic sports. The sports ministry is also working towards promoting a "league culture" across disciplines, including financing those which need funding. Creating leagues is also a stated objective of the new policy. The document also seeks to promote more inclusivity and increase participation in sports among under-represented groups such as women, the LGBTQ+ community, economically weaker sections, and tribal communities. "Creating and maintaining such facilities can significantly reduce barriers and promote active participation among them," the policy states.
