The government will organise the nationwide “Khelo India Dialogue – Khel Ki Baat, Pradhan Mantri Modi Ke Saath” on August 27 to mark National Sports Day 2026, bringing together young athletes, students, sporting icons and policymakers at more than 1,500 educational institutions across the country.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address young participants virtually as part of the initiative, which seeks to provide budding athletes and sports enthusiasts with a direct platform to share their ideas, experiences and suggestions on strengthening India’s sports ecosystem and expanding opportunities for youth.
The programme will involve institutions including IITs, IIMs, NITs, AIIMS, leading medical colleges and universities. Following the Prime Minister’s address, physical programmes will be held simultaneously at participating institutions.
The dialogue will focus on four key areas — strengthening grassroots sports infrastructure, coaching and opportunities; developing talent with an eye on the 2036 Olympics through scientific identification and athlete development; promoting youth leadership and participation in governance; and equipping young people with future-ready skills, volunteering opportunities and avenues for nation-building.
A key attraction of the programme will be direct interaction between young participants and leading Indian athletes and medal winners. Sporting personalities including Deepa Karmakar, Saina Nehwal, Gagan Narang, Sreejesh, Mary Kom, Baichung Bhutia, Gopichand, Anju Bobby George, Karnam Malleswari, Mirabai Chanu and P.T. Usha, along with prominent cricketers, will share their sporting journeys, challenges and experiences with the youth.
The initiative will also bring elected representatives and policymakers into the conversation. Members of Parliament, MLAs, Union Ministers, Ministers of State and State Sports Ministers will engage with young participants and seek their views on the identified themes.
The programme is designed to bridge the gap between youth aspirations and policymaking by giving young people a greater role in discussions on the future of sports and youth development.
Participants will also be encouraged to take part in the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue Quiz and register on the MY Bharat Portal, providing opportunities for continued youth engagement beyond the National Sports Day programme.
The government said the initiative seeks to reinforce the role of young people in India’s sporting transformation by bringing their aspirations and ideas together with the experience of athletes and the perspectives of policymakers.
With participation spread across more than 1,500 institutions, the Khelo India Dialogue is expected to create one of the country’s largest youth-focused conversations on sports, leadership and nation-building, while strengthening the vision of a future-ready sporting ecosystem.
