India making strong push to host 2036 Olympics, says PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that India is preparing with full strength to host the 2036 Olympic Games, underlining the government’s push to transform the country into a global sporting destination. The statement reflects India’s growing ambition to use mega sports events to create wider opportunities for athletes and strengthen grassroots sports.

The Prime Minister made the remarks on January 4 while addressing the inauguration of the 72nd Senior National Volleyball Championship in Varanasi via video conferencing from New Delhi.

Big sporting events to open doors for athletes

Mr. Modi said hosting global tournaments allows more Indian players to gain competitive exposure, particularly in Olympic disciplines.

“The 2030 Commonwealth Games will be held in India, and the country is making strong efforts to host the 2036 Olympics,” he said, stressing that the objective is to give more players greater chances to compete at the highest level.

He added that flagship programmes like Khelo India have already enabled hundreds of young athletes to progress from grassroots to national competitions.

Sports ecosystem undergoing major reform

The Prime Minister highlighted that initiatives such as the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) are changing how Indian sports functions, with a focus on athlete-centric planning, scientific training, nutrition, funding support and transparent selection.

India has hosted more than 20 major international sporting events in the last decade, including the FIFA Under-17 World Cup, Hockey World Cups, and high-profile international chess tournaments, he noted.

According to Mr. Modi, this marks a clear shift from the past, when sports often received limited attention from both government and society.

Governance reforms and education focus

Mr. Modi said upcoming reforms like the National Sports Governance Act and the Khelo Bharat Policy 2025 aim to improve transparency and ensure that talent, not influence, gets opportunities.

He emphasised that these policies will allow young athletes to pursue sports and education together, reducing the long-standing trade-off between academics and professional training.

“India’s sports model today is athlete-first,” he said, adding that the sports budget has been significantly increased in recent years.

Varanasi’s growing role in Indian sports

The Prime Minister expressed satisfaction that Varanasi is emerging as a notable sporting centre. Hosting the national volleyball championship places the city firmly on India’s sporting map, he said.

The tournament, running from January 4 to January 11, features over 1,000 players from 58 teams across the country, highlighting the scale of domestic competition.

Volleyball and India’s growth story

Drawing a broader parallel, Mr. Modi likened volleyball to India’s development journey.

He said the sport teaches coordination, trust and shared responsibility, values he believes mirror the nation’s progress. “No victory is achieved alone,” he said, adding that India’s growth depends on collective effort across sectors.