Mandaviya outlines youth driven sports reforms linking fitness talent medals governance nationwide.
Union Minister of Labour and Employment and Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya (Image: File)
New Delhi: Union Minister of Labour and Employment and Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya, speaking at India News Manch 2025 organised by the ITV Network, said that with 65 per cent of India’s population being youth, the country has immense potential and nothing can stop its progress if guided correctly.
Mandaviya said sports have always been part of India’s culture, but the country had long been content with winning only a limited number of Olympic medals. That mindset, he said, needed to change. In 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a holistic vision to integrate sports into society, beginning with fitness, as a healthy population forms the foundation of a strong nation.
To identify and nurture talent early, initiatives such as Khelo India were introduced, starting at the school level, continuing through university competitions, and ultimately grooming athletes for national and international platforms. Recognising India’s geographical and cultural diversity, specialised events such as Tribal Games, Snow Games, and Beach Games were launched to tap the full potential of youth across regions, from the Himalayas to coastal areas and the North-East.
The next phase focused on preparing athletes for global competitions including the Olympics and Commonwealth Games. The Khelo India policy provides a structured framework for talent development, medal preparation, and sports governance, ensuring coordination among athletes, state and central governments, sports federations, and the Olympic Association.
Mandaviya highlighted the passage of the Sports Governance Bill as a landmark reform, placing athletes at the centre of the ecosystem. The bill promotes women’s representation, transparent selection processes, and a dedicated tribunal for dispute resolution. Open trials conducted on camera, he said, ensure merit-based selection and eliminate bias, contributing to India’s steadily improving medal tally.
He added that parallel reforms in the labour sector through new labour codes are improving employment access and safeguards for youth. Even without formal appointment letters, systems now ensure recognition of applications and protection of workers’ rights.
Mandaviya said India’s vision of becoming a developed nation requires interconnected planning and a holistic approach, adding that today’s youth will shape the country’s progress over the next 25 years.
