India targets 2036 Olympics as PM Narendra Modi plans talent hunt for sports where nation lacks presence and performance
PM Modi stressed the need to widen India’s Olympic footprint by developing talent in sports where the country has traditionally had little or no presence.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi not only reiterated India’s interest in hosting the 2036 Olympics during his Independence Day speech from the Red Fort in New Delhi on Saturday, but also announced a nationwide sports talent hunt.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi looks on during the 8oth Independence Day (@narendramodi)
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PM Modi stressed the need to widen India’s Olympic footprint by identifying and developing talent in sports and events where the country has traditionally had little or no presence.
“There are around 40 sports at the Olympics, with around 325 to 350 events. You will be saddened to know, my fellow countrymen, my young people, I challenge you, I appeal to you, I seek your help: India does not participate in even two-thirds of these sports. We are not present; we do not qualify,” he said.
Deep Dive
What is the talent hunt announced by PM Modi for the 2036 Olympics?
The talent hunt is a nationwide campaign aimed at identifying and developing sporting talent in India, particularly in sports where the country has historically had little presence, targeting children aged five to fifteen.
Why does India want to host the 2036 Olympics?
India aims to host the 2036 Olympics to broaden its Olympic representation and enhance its performance in various sports, in line with the government’s vision to foster athletic talent across the nation.
How will the talent identification campaign be conducted in India?
The campaign will be conducted by assessing talents through trials in villages, cities, and schools, with a focus on children and girls to provide them with specialized training to become competitive athletes.
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"We have decided that the 2036 Olympics should be held in India. But in 2036, in the disciplines in which India does not play today, in the disciplines in which India does not qualify, in the events that India has left aside, three-fourths of them are waiting for us. India will focus on them, and for this, we are also running a talent identification campaign.
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If we need athletes for 2036, then today, a talent hunt campaign will be conducted from village to village, city to city, school to school, to identify sporting talent. We have to focus on the children between the ages of five and fifteen, on our daughters. Their abilities will be assessed, and they will then receive specialised training to develop them into good athletes who can represent the country."
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If we need athletes for 2036, then today, a talent hunt campaign will be conducted from village to village, city to city, school to school, to identify sporting talent. We have to focus on the children between the ages of five and fifteen, on our daughters. Their abilities will be assessed, and they will then receive specialised training to develop them into good athletes who can represent the country."
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India is hosting the 2030 CWG in Ahmedabad, which is also in the race to host the 2036 Olympics.
The Prime Minister also said the government's flagship Target Olympic Podium Scheme, which was launched in 2014, has been a major success in providing support to athletes.
"India is making space for itself in the world of sports. We hear our national anthem frequently and see our tri-colour going up very often. TOPS has achieved great success. Whether it is Khelo India Games, University Games, Beach Games, Winter Games, or sports training, sports medicine, sports nutrition, India is moving ahead at great pace," he said. "India's performance is improving, and we are strong contenders to become an Olympic host in 2036. We are hosting the CWG in 2030."
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India finished the recent Commonwealth Games with 39 medals - 13 gold, 17 silver and nine bronze - and was fourth in the standings. Despite competing in a significantly reduced programme that excluded traditional medal-rich sports such as wrestling, badminton, table tennis, hockey and shooting, India managed to make their mark at the Games, with a record showing in Boxing, Judo, weightlifting and para sports.
India is currently preparing for the Asian Games , which will take place in the Aichi Prefecture and the city of Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4.
Aratrick Mondal is a senior sports journalist based in New Delhi. In his eight years as a sports writer, Aratrick has worked at leading media organisations, including The Times of India, Times Now, Zee, India TV and currently works at a senior position at Hindustan Times Digital. He writes on cricket, football, pickleball and tennis, among other sports. He has extensively covered India's evolving cricket landscape, the country's new-found love for private leagues such as Indian Pickleball League (IPBL), Ultimate Kho Kho League (UKK), Rugby Premier League (RPL) and several tennis leagues. He has closely covered emerging sports such as pickleball. His coverage of major franchise events lends an atmospheric flavor to his ground reports. His recent story on how SA20 (the domestic cricket league of South Africa) had opened up its grounds to create a carnival-like fan experience garnered major international attention, including appreciation from major cricketers. Tennis holds a special place in his heart. Aratrick has built a strong niche in analytical tennis stories—ranging from Grand Slam narratives and player profiles to tactical breakdowns and ranking trends. His long-form features often decode grand slams, career highs and lows of tennis greats and the upward trajectory of emerging stars. He also closely follows India's tennis landscape, having covered the Davis Cup, Bengaluru Open and Tata Open, among others. His reporting is backed by strong data capabilities, with hands-on experience using tools like Python, Tableau, and Excel to produce visually rich, insight-led stories. This data-first approach enhances accuracy, transparency, and trust. In leadership roles, he has managed editorial shifts, overseen homepage strategy, optimised SEO workflows, and mentored peers to deliver consistent, high-traffic journalism. He recently won the HT DigiStar award for the third quarter of financial year 2025-26. Aratrick is trusted for his balanced reportage, sound sourcing, and ability to translate complex sporting events into engaging narratives that speak to a wide audience. He believes sports is for everyone, not just for the enthusiasts and has a unique ability to bring people together - just like the sumptuous meals you'll often find him cooking on a weekend evening.
Stay updated with the latest sports news, including latest headlines and updates from the Olympics 2024, where Indian athletes will compete for glory in Paris. Catch all the action from tennis Grand Slam tournaments, follow your favourite football teams and players with the latest match results, and get the latest on international hockey tournaments and series.
Stay updated with the latest sports news, including latest headlines and updates from the Olympics 2024, where Indian athletes will compete for glory in Paris. Catch all the action from tennis Grand Slam tournaments, follow your favourite football teams and players with the latest match results, and get the latest on international hockey tournaments and series.
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