Union Minister Sets Ambitious Goals for Indian Sports at Governance Conclave

Minister's Address at the Sports Governance Conclave

On Friday, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, the Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, spoke at the Sports Governance Conclave held in Ahmedabad. He emphasized that starting with the Asian Games in Japan this year, India should aim for consistent improvements in performance across major international sports events, with a top-10 finish in the Olympic medal tally being a 'non-negotiable national goal.'

Focus on Sports Governance and Development

The conclave, organized by the Government of India in collaboration with the Gujarat Government and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), took place at the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex. It saw participation from representatives of National Sports Federations (NSFs), State Olympic Associations, and members of the IOA Executive Council.

During his address, the Minister outlined the government's unwavering priorities for enhancing India's sports ecosystem. He highlighted the need for governance reforms, competitive exposure, systematic talent identification from grassroots to elite levels, strengthening the coaching framework, and increasing private sector involvement in sports infrastructure and leagues, as stated in a press release from the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.

Commitment to Reforming Indian Sports

Dr. Mandaviya noted that in the last 1.5 years, the government has established a solid institutional framework aimed at reforming Indian sports. He mentioned key initiatives such as the National Sports Governance Act (NSGA), Khelo Bharat Niti, and improvements in coach recruitment systems, asserting that the government has shown both political will and clarity in implementing these reforms.

Ensuring Accountability in Sports Federations

The Minister made it clear that ongoing issues within sports federations, such as internal politics, corruption, and unfair selection processes, must be addressed. He stated, 'The athlete and the nation's reputation are paramount,' emphasizing that while the government respects the autonomy of federations, they must also uphold integrity, transparency, and athlete-centric governance.

Implementation of NSGA for Enhanced Governance

He stressed that the successful implementation of the NSGA relies on the federations themselves, which must ensure fair elections, financial transparency, and the establishment of functional athlete and ethics commissions.

Call for Professionalism and Strategic Planning

Dr. Mandaviya urged federations to adopt a professional and forward-thinking approach by developing clear roadmaps for the next 1, 3, 5, and 10 years. He highlighted the necessity for sports bodies to be managed by qualified professionals, including CEOs, financial experts, and international-level coaches.

Additionally, he announced forthcoming policy initiatives aimed at standardizing selection trials and enhancing athlete welfare packages. He called on federations to align with the government's ambitious pace in investing in sports science, nutrition, and high-performance support.

Aiming for a Top-10 Finish in the Olympics

Reaffirming India's long-term sporting vision, the Minister reiterated that achieving a top-10 finish in the Olympic medal tally is a critical national goal. He stressed the importance of National Sports Federations and State Olympic Associations in achieving this objective, stating, 'Performance must show consistent improvement in every major international competition, starting with the Asian Games 2026.'

He concluded by describing the current phase as the 'Golden Period of Indian Sports,' emphasizing accountability: 'History will remember what we achieve now, and it will not forgive what we fail to do.'