Mandaviya Outlines Athlete-Centric Vision to Make India a Top-10 Sporting Nation

Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Thursday emphasized that Indian sports must place athletes at the centre of every decision, unveiling a long-term roadmap aimed at propelling India into the world’s top-10 sporting nations.

Speaking at the PlayCom Business of Sports Summit 2025, Mandaviya said that ongoing government initiatives—from Fit India and Khelo India to the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS)—are designed to create a holistic sports ecosystem where athletes, rather than administrators, remain the priority.

“Earlier, federations often focused more on their disputes than on athletes, but now our priority is to make athletes the epicentre of sports,” he said.

Mandaviya highlighted that the government is committed to reforms in training, infrastructure, funding, and international exposure, ensuring that athletes receive the resources and support needed to compete at the highest level.

The minister also stressed the importance of leveraging technology, data analytics, and performance science to optimize athlete performance and strengthen India’s competitiveness on the global stage.

This vision reflects the government’s ambition to transform India into a leading sporting nation, fostering a culture where athletes are empowered to achieve excellence consistently.