Budgam, April 24
Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Friday said India is poised to become one of the top 10 sporting nations by 2036 and aims to break into the top five globally by 2047, highlighting ongoing improvements in the country’s sports ecosystem.
Speaking after inaugurating a 30-bed Employees’ State Insurance Corporation hospital at Ompora in central Kashmir, Mandaviya said the government has strengthened sports governance and created a more structured system to support athletes. He said these efforts are providing greater opportunities for youth to perform at higher levels.
“I am sure that in the next ten years, by 2036, India will be among the 10 best sporting nations in the world and by 2047, India will emerge among the top five sporting nations,” he said.
The minister said initiatives such as Fit India and Khelo India have played a key role in expanding opportunities for young athletes across the country. He added that sustained efforts have helped build a stronger sporting framework.
Mandaviya said India has secured the rights to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games and has also submitted a bid for the 2036 Olympic Games. He said preparations are underway to meet the requirements set by the International Olympic Committee.
On the healthcare front, he said the newly inaugurated facility, built at a cost of Rs 165 crore, will serve more than 50,000 workers and their families by providing free treatment. He added that a nursing college is planned at the hospital to support skill development among youth in Jammu and Kashmir.
The minister said continued focus on infrastructure, training, and policy support is expected to further strengthen India’s position in global sports in the coming years.
