Latest news with #NSP)2025
NDTV
5 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
"Want To Promote Sports In Far-Flung Areas": PM Narendra Modi On Independence Day
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday declared his commitment to promote sports in the remote corners of the country and said the recently-approved National Sports Policy 2025 will help in realising the goal. "We want to promote sports in far flung areas. The National Sports Policy will help in this matter," Modi said in his address to the nation during the 79th Independence Day from the Red Fort here. The Union Cabinet chaired by the PM Modi had last month approved the the National Sports Policy (NSP) 2025, a landmark initiative aimed at reshaping the country's sporting landscape and empowering citizens through sports. The new policy supersedes the existing National Sports Policy 2001, and lays out a visionary and strategic road map 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 aims to build a strong and inclusive sports ecosystem in the country. The PM said he feels happy when parents take pride in guiding their children to take up sports. "Sports plays a vital role in a nation's development, and I am delighted that today, when children show interest in sports, it fills parents with pride. I see this as a highly encouraging sign for the future of our country," Modi said. He added that the government's Khelo Bharat Policy was ensuring a robust development in the field of sports. "To boost sports, we have, after many decades, introduced the Khelo Bharat Policy, aimed at ensuring the holistic growth of the sporting sector. From school-level games to the Olympics, our goal is to build a complete and robust ecosystem for sports. "I also wish to share with you a concern related to fitness. Obesity is becoming a major crisis for our country. Experts say that in the coming years, one out of every three people will suffer from it. We must protect ourselves from this threat," he said.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
PM Narendra Modi lauds National Spots Bill, plans to create sports ecosystem from farthest school to Olympics
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the nation from the rampart of the Red Fort during Independence Day celebrations in New Delhi (AP Photo/Manish Swarup) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday stressed the importance of sports in shaping India's future, linking it to the country's goal of becoming a developed nation. Speaking from the Red Fort during his Independence Day address, Modi said the recently approved National Sports Policy (NSP) 2025 would strengthen the sporting ecosystem from the grassroots to the Olympics. 'Sports is an essential aspect of development and I am happy, that from the time when parents used to scoff at children spending time in sports, we have reached a point where it has changed. Now, parents are happy if children take interest in sports,' Modi said as quoted by PTI. He described it as a 'good omen' for the nation. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! The NSP 2025, cleared by the Union Cabinet last month, replaces the two-decade-old National Sports Policy 2001. It aims to create a strong and inclusive sporting structure, with measures to ensure ethical practices, fair play, and healthy competition. The framework includes national agencies, inter-ministerial committees, and funding initiatives such as 'Adopt an Athlete', 'Adopt a District', and 'One Corporate-One Sport'. 'To promote sports, we have come up with the National Sports Policy after several decades. It would ensure development of sports, from school to the Olympics. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Discover the AI writing partner that understands your audience. Grammarly Install Now Undo We will develop an ecosystem whether it is coaching, fitness or infrastructure… that penetrates the farthest corner of the country,' the Prime Minister said. Within weeks of the policy's approval, Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya also ensured the passage of the National Sports Governance Bill in Parliament, introducing a stricter regulatory framework for National Sports Federations and a formal dispute resolution mechanism. The Prime Minister also said that fitness is integral to sporting culture and urged citizens to address the growing obesity problem. 'When I talk of fitness and sports, I want to talk about obesity, which is a huge problem for the country. It is predicted that every third person is expected to be obese in future, we have to reduce consumption of oil to win this war on obesity,' he said. Poll How important do you think sport is in shaping a nation's future? Extremely important Varies from person to person Not important Modi added that the government's efforts, including the Khelo Bharat Policy, are focused on building a robust and inclusive sports culture. 'From school-level games to the Olympics, our goal is to build a complete and robust ecosystem for sports,' he said. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Time of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Want to promote sports in remote parts of the country, NSP 2025 will help spread it: PM Modi
In his Independence speech, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the government's commitment to promote sports in remote corners of India and said recently-approved National Sports Policy 2025 will help in realising the goal. Independence Day 2025 Op Sindoor to water cutoff: PM Modi slams Pak in I-Day speech GST reforms by Diwali to cut daily-use taxes: PM Modi Terrorism, tech, more: PM's I-Day speech highlights "We want to promote sports in far flung areas. The National Sports Policy will help in this matter," Modi said on Friday from the Red Fort in Delhi. Last month, the Union Cabinet, chaired by the prime minister approved the National Sports Policy (NSP) 2025, an initiative aimed at reshaping the country's sports culture and empower citizens through sports. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like With temperatures hitting 95°F, this is the mini air conditioner everyone's buying in the U.S News of the Discovery Undo The new policy will replace the existing sports policy that was formulated in 2001. It is 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 aims to build a strong and inclusive sports ecosystem in the country.
Hindustan Times
01-08-2025
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
National Sports Policy scores a goal
Bhavani from Hyderabad was part of the Sport for Life Skills programme for six years. Today, she plays volleyball at the national level and works with the same organisation, leading programmes in the very school where she once studied. A proud role model in her community, Bhavani supports her sister's education and aspires to study further herself, proving how sport can transform lives and inspire communities. Sports (PIC FOR REPRESENTATION) According to a report developed by Sports and Society Accelerator (SSA) and Dalberg, playtime for girls falls by 36% in late adolescence in favour of chores (Report- State of Play in India, 2024). When the Union Cabinet approved the National Sports Policy (NSP) 2025 this July, it ended a 24-year wait for an updated national framework. The 2001 policy, though path-breaking in its day, was born in an era when sports was largely about achieving excellence. NSP 2025 does more than refine medal-oriented pathways; it recasts sport as a cross-sectoral instrument of nation-building, explicitly tying it to social development and the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The policy reframes success not as a narrow medal tally but as every girl reclaiming her right to play, every boy learning resilience on the pitch, and communities discovering that sport can be a driver of health, livelihood, and social cohesion. Sports for Social Development (S4SD) is a pedagogical approach as much as it is a strategy; it is a recognition that structured play and physical activity cultivate life skills such as teamwork, problem-solving, decision-making, collaboration, empathy, and communication, that echo through classrooms, workplaces, and civic life. International evidence is unequivocal: Children who engage in quality sport-and-play programmes show better school retention, higher self-esteem, lower substance abuse, and improved employability (The human capital model applied to Dutch young vulnerable people, 2018). Sports in India was perceived as male, urban, and elite. NSP 2025 attempts to upend those stereotypes by explicitly mentioning girls, tribal youth, children with disabilities, and other marginalized groups. Yet, we need strong programme design to complement the policy, to dismantle barriers like early marriage, patriarchal norms, or disability stigma. With this lens, programme models should be adopted and scaled within governmental schemes like Samagra Shiksha or Khelo India. Likewise, programmes that adapt rules such as smaller teams, gender-neutral scoring, and assistive devices make play accessible to all, including children with disabilities while teaching peers empathy and inclusion. The dividends are far-reaching. Social Capital Theory argues that shared activities build bonding capital (within groups) and bridging capital (across groups), both critical to socioeconomic mobility. Local sports that mix castes or school games between different communities erode prejudice more effectively than discussion on inclusion. When girls captain a mixed-group football team or children from different communities celebrate a relay win together, they internalise lessons no classroom can match. By naming social development as a core pillar of the policy, it signals to diverse stakeholders, educators, corporates, donors, administrators that sport is no longer a co-curricular subject; it is a priority investment category on par with sanitation, nutrition, or digital literacy. A recent PACTA–SSA analysis shows that just 1.4 % of CSR spending in the last decade was earmarked for sport and development themes. NSP 2025, when operationalised well, has the potential to unlock a broader fund base —via direct line items in state budgets, CSR mandates, and innovative public-private partnership models. NEP 2020 was India's declaration that rote learning must yield to experiential learning. It put physical and socio-emotional development on equal footing with reading, writing, and arithmetic. Schools tend to treat physical education (PE) periods as expendable, and parents still view sport as peripheral. NSP 2025 arrives as the long-needed companion policy, spelling out how to embed play in the school timetable, who should teach it, and which assessment standards will count towards academic credits. In India, however, access remains painfully unequal. Roughly half of young children in rural or low-income areas still have no access to structured play; 31% of rural schools do not have a playground (ASER 2024). The shortage of dedicated PE instructors is a significant gap. The latest ASER 2024 findings reinforce the point: Only 16.5% of rural schools reported a dedicated PE teacher, while nearly a quarter had none. Consider Odisha's pioneering effort: The state linked PE to formal examinations, trained 7,500 teachers for secondary grades, and even rehired retired Physical Education Teachers (PETs) on contract. The result? PE periods are no longer 'free periods'; they are graded, structured sessions with clear learning outcomes. Odisha's experiment can serve as a template for other states but scaling demands three systemic shifts: Fast-track filling of sanctioned PE vacancies, development of PE textbooks under State Curriculum Framework (SCF) by considering NCERT's new KhelYatra PE textbook, which integrates sports with life-skills reflections and local games, and incentivising school system to equally map PE competencies as part of the PARAKH framework, with assessment that measures holistic development. Recommending physical, art and vocational education as mandatory for grades 9-12 is the step in the right direction. Equally necessary are safe, open spaces, and therefore to consider auditing school playgrounds through UDISE+, and potentially find ways to utilise panchayat, school-management-committee, and CSR funds to fill gaps. Encourage community access to playgrounds after school hours, turning school grounds into shared social hubs rather than idle turf to build greater cohesion and community ownership and maintenance of the space. NSP 2025 and NEP 2020 together sketch an inspiring vision: an India where every child, regardless of gender, caste, or geography, can learn, play, and thrive through sport. The wins are far greater with healthier and more confident young people. To borrow a sporting metaphor, NSP 2025 is our team selection; NEP 2020 is our match strategy. The next five years will decide whether we convert that strategy into victory measured not only in podiums finishes but also in villages where dropout rates plummet, girls occupy playgrounds, confidence soars, and youth unemployment falls because sport taught teamwork, discipline, and grit. If we seize the moment, NSP 2025 will stand as the reform that recognised play as serious business, serious enough to shape futures, economies, and nation building. The 2001 policy was a good starting point, the 2025 policy represents a systems-level shift embracing the full spectrum of what sports can do, level the playing field, get to the goal and take the country past the finish line. This article is authored by Dhanashri Brahme, chief of programmes and Subhomoy Bhaduri, associate director - capacity building and collaborations, Magic Bus India Foundation.
India Today
02-07-2025
- 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)
