Union Minister for Sports Shri Mansukh Mandaviya ji, Minister of State for Sports Sister Raksha Khadse ji, all of you young athletes, coaches, other distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen.
Coming among all of you fills me with energy as well. So many medal winners gathered together, and meeting all of them at once, is no ordinary thing. It is a very pleasant feeling. All of you young athletes are examples of how, when passion is transformed into victory, it brings not only medals but also a glow on the face. And, of course, it makes the nation shine as well.
You have given 1.4 billion countrymen an opportunity to feel proud. Because the greatest achievement, if there is one, is to enhance the honour of the Tiranga. You have enhanced the pride of the Tiranga, you have increased its honour. Therefore, your success is not yours alone; it is the success of millions and millions of citizens of this country. On behalf of all the people of India, I once again extend my heartfelt congratulations to all of you. At the same time, I also wholeheartedly congratulate your coaches, your support staff, and your families.
Today is also the birth anniversary of our former President, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. His life and his vision are an inspiration to all of us. I respectfully pay tribute to him as well.
In many ways, these Asian Games have been memorable for us. Both our men’s and women’s hockey teams are present here today. Both teams won gold medals this time. And especially our women’s hockey team, you ended a long wait of 44 years by bringing home the gold medal. In cricket, both our teams won medals for the second consecutive time and, in fact, repeated their own record. In kabaddi too, both our men’s and women’s teams won gold medals. Likewise, five gold medals in archery, and where there are five, there is the grace of the Almighty. Outstanding performances in shooting, major successes in boxing and wrestling, new records in athletics, a medal in weightlifting after twenty-eight years, and India’s success in marathon events for the first time since 1982. All this is truly a matter of great joy.
I especially want to appreciate our daughters. Out of the 85 medals won by India, 38 medals were won by our women athletes. Among them were 11 gold medals as well. And these medals are not merely numbers; they represent a powerful image of New India. Today, India is winning medals even in sports where, in the history of the Asian Games, we had never before won a medal. In Mixed Martial Arts, Soft Tennis, and certain sailing events, our players created new history by winning medals for the first time.
Now we must reach even greater heights in sports. We have to, don't we? We have to achieve even more, don't we? I want to place a few resolutions before you. And all of you must respond with full enthusiasm: We will Do it! So, repeat after me:
The honour of the Tiranga on every field, We will Do it!
A new identity for India in sports, We will Do it!
New champions in every sport, We will Do it!
More records in our name, We will Do it!
The stadium in which we are gathered today is named after Major Dhyan Chand ji. His dedication towards hockey was so great that he would practise for hours even at night. His hard work repeatedly reminds us that resolutions and dreams are not fulfilled in a single day. They require years of patience and sustained effort.
Over the past 12 years, India too has worked with great patience and dedication on its sportspersons and its sports ecosystem. There was a time when India could win only a handful of medals in major tournaments. In many sports, people in the country did not even know that such sports existed. There used to be huge events such as the Olympics, yet India had no representation in more than half of the sports. Just think about it. If we do not even compete, then where will the medals come from?
We took a pledge that we would remove this pessimistic mindset. And the result is that today, our representation is increasing on every global platform.
How did this transformation happen? It happened through the same spirit that helped you achieve success. Over the past 10–12 years, the country worked continuously with dedication and sincerity, pursued a long-term vision, and built a transparent and modern ecosystem for sports. As all of you know, we launched the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS). We launched the Khelo India Scheme. Over time, its scope was expanded further. As Mansukh Bhai mentioned earlier, more than ₹36,000 crore has been allocated for expanding Khelo India and strengthening sports federations.
Today, more than one thousand Khelo India Centres have been established across the country. Stadiums, mini-stadiums, and multi-purpose sports halls have been created. Athletics tracks, football grounds, hockey grounds, swimming pools, and thousands of such sports infrastructures are being built in both small and large cities. Under this scheme, direct assistance is being provided to athletes as well. They are being given Out-of-Pocket Allowances. Under the TOPS scheme, athletes receive ₹50,000 per month. If any sport requires training abroad, the government is facilitating it and providing financial assistance.
To ensure that young people get maximum opportunities to play and compete, events such as Winter Games have been launched, and Members of Parliament Sports Competitions have been started. The country created a new Sports Policy and a new Khelo Bharat Policy. Our para-athletes are also enhancing the nation's pride through their talent and capabilities. For them too, better opportunities and modern facilities in sports are being ensured. And that is why every athlete today feels confident that the nation stands beside them throughout their journey. And when an athlete feels that support, what they can achieve for the nation is something all of you yourselves are excellent examples of.
This time, many players in Team India at the Asian Games were only 15 to 17 years old. At such a young age, they enhanced the nation’s pride through their outstanding performances. They won the hearts of the people of the country. This shows that age is no barrier to success. In fact, in sports, starting young is an added advantage. That is why our effort is to identify sporting talent from an early age. We are giving special focus to identifying talent among children aged five to fifteen and training them properly. In the coming years, thousands of new athletes will receive opportunities through Khelo India and Emerging Khelo India programmes. We must strengthen our preparations for future sporting events. The Los Angeles Olympics will take place in 2028. India will host the Commonwealth Games in 2030. And hosting the Olympics in 2036 is also India’s aspiration. Keeping this in mind, from the Red Fort I spoke about launching a Talent Hunt campaign. Today, talent is being identified in villages across the country and nurtured. These very athletes will bring medals for India in the years ahead.
Our dreams are big. Our resolutions are also big. And today, India has the confidence to achieve them. Every Indian has that confidence. Therefore, with complete conviction, I say:
Major sporting events in India, We will Do it!
India among the top sporting nations, We will Do it!
India as a global sports hub, We will Do it!
World-class sports infrastructure in India, We will Do it!
A champion from every corner of India, We will Do it!
Our success at the Asian Games is also an example of India’s changing mindset. It shows how today’s youth are impatient to scale every height. There is no summit higher than the determination of India’s youth. There is no goal beyond the capability of our youth power. The limitless sky of possibilities lies before us, and India’s youth are themselves deciding the destination. That is why, in a short span of time, India has become the world’s third-largest startup ecosystem. Our youth are building companies in the space sector. They are working on satellite technology. The same youth are developing new technologies in the defence sector. They are conducting new experiments in Artificial Intelligence. And this transformation is not limited to big cities. Just as talented individuals from remote areas are now getting opportunities in sports, similarly, in startups, research, and other ventures, young people from small cities and villages are coming forward with new ideas. Behind this confidence lies a deep trust. The systems developed by the country over the past decade have given young people confidence that they can dream big. They know that the full strength of the nation stands behind them to help them realise those dreams.
The benefits of our efforts are not limited only to athletes who compete on the field. New career opportunities are being created for youth in areas such as sports coaching, physiotherapy, sports management, and sports broadcasting. As sports develop, many related professions are also advancing. This has opened new avenues of employment and entrepreneurship for young people.
Whatever field we may be in today, we must work hard for our own success. At the same time, we must also take responsibility for shaping the next generation. Now you possess the experience of international tournaments. Therefore, I would request that you devote some time to those children who dream of progressing just as you did. You must water their dreams with the sweat of your own efforts. That is how success comes. Whenever you get an opportunity, meet children in your village and your town. Visit different schools. Be sure to visit the grounds where you first began playing. Your experiences can be extremely valuable to those children. Perhaps a single word from you may give a child the courage to move forward in sports.
The youth of the country do not draw inspiration from you only in sports. Because the role of sports extends beyond the playing field. Sports teach us discipline in life. They teach us how to rise again after falling. They teach us how to win after losing. Sports teach us how to stay committed to a goal for a long time and how to adapt ourselves to changing circumstances. These lessons become part of our everyday lives. And this sporting spirit serves us throughout our lives.
I always say: The one who plays, blossoms. So keep playing, keep blossoming. Once again, my many best wishes to all of you for the upcoming competitions and for all your future efforts. Your enthusiasm and your confidence are the greatest strengths of New India. With this confidence, we must take India to new heights.
So come, once again, with full energy, say with me:
Viksit Bharat at Twenty Forty Seven, We will Do it!
Global Manufacturing Hub, We will Do it!
India’s Leadership in Technology, We will Do it!
DISCLAIMER: This is the approximate translation of Prime Minister’s address. Original address was delivered in Hindi.