Indian Army hosts Sports Conclave 2025 to bolster India’s Olympic Mission 2036

The Indian Army on Tuesday organised the Army Sports Conclave 2025 at the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi, reaffirming its commitment to nurturing sporting excellence and contributing to India’s Olympic Mission 2036.

Held at a crucial juncture in India’s sporting journey, the conclave brought together senior Army officials, government representatives, athletes, and sports administrators to deliberate on strategies to transform India into a global sporting powerhouse.

Lt Gen Ajay Ramdev, Director General Integrated Training, delivered the welcome address, describing the conclave as a platform “where purpose meets passion.” He lauded the Mission Olympic Wing and the Army’s para-athletes, highlighting the growing emphasis on scientific, data-driven, and mentally conditioned training.

Delivering the keynote address, Mr. Hari Ranjan Rao, Secretary (Sports), praised the Army’s pivotal role in nurturing world-class athletes and promoting para and adventure sports that reflect national pride. He emphasised synergy among stakeholders, long-term planning, and scientific excellence under government schemes such as Khelo India and the Target Olympic Podium Scheme.

Lt Gen Rakesh Kapoor, Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Information Systems & Training), spoke about the Army’s enduring relationship with sports, rooted in discipline, fitness, and teamwork. He called for collaborative efforts between the Army, Sports Authority of India (SAI), private institutions, and academia to achieve the goals of Olympic Mission 2036.

The conclave was centred on two key themes — ‘Institutional Synergy’ and ‘Athlete 360’, focusing on collaboration across institutions and holistic athlete development. A ‘Fire Side Chat’ featuring senior officials, athletes, and administrators discussed the roadmap to India’s Olympic success through integrated efforts and innovation.

As part of the event, Chief of the Army Staff Gen Upendra Dwivedi honoured three sporting legends with the Army Sports Lifetime Achievement Award for their outstanding contributions to Indian sports:

• Col Balbir Singh Kullar (Retd) – Olympic Bronze Medallist, Hockey (1968)
• Mr. Murlikant Petkar – Paralympic Gold Medallist (1972)
• Hony Capt Vijay Kumar Sharma – Olympic Silver Medallist, Shooting (2012)

The ceremony, held at South Block, celebrated their spirit of courage, dedication, and service to the nation — epitomising the Army’s motto, “Service Before Self.”

The conclave also aligned with the Army Roadmap 2032, the National Sports Development Bill, and Khel Niti 2025, marking a cohesive framework for advancing India’s sports ecosystem.

The Army Sports Conclave 2025 concluded with a collective call to action to forge stronger partnerships, invest in athlete-centric systems, and drive India’s quest to become an Olympic powerhouse by 2036.