Integrating Sports and Education: A New Initiative for Clean Sport Values in India
A Collaborative Effort to Promote Sports Values
On October 28, in New Delhi, Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Mansukh Mandaviya, along with Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi, emphasized the importance of merging sports with education. This initiative aligns with the Khelo Bharat Niti 2025, as the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, the Ministry of Education, and UNESCO signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at instilling clean sport values in classrooms throughout India via the 'Sports Values in Every Classroom Toolkit.'
The MoU was formalized during the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) India’s Clean Sport Conclave, with the goal of embedding principles such as respect, integrity, and fairness in children through educational and sporting activities, as stated in a release from SAI Media.
The toolkit will feature video modules available in 13 Indian languages, aiming to reach students nationwide and foster a more robust and equitable sporting environment.
In attendance at the conclave were notable figures including Tim Curtis, Director of UNESCO’s Regional Office for South Asia, TK Anil Kumar, Secretary of the Department of School Education, Hari Ranjan Rao, Secretary of Sports, and Anant Kumar, DG of NADA. The event also saw participation from international delegates attending UNESCO's anti-doping conventions, as well as Indian javelin thrower Sachin Yadav.
Mandaviya expressed gratitude towards the Education Ministry, highlighting that this partnership reflects the government's dedication to integrating sports and education, in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision. He stated, “Sporting excellence and integrity must coexist. While talent, discipline, and hard work are crucial for success, integrity, fairness, and credibility are equally vital,” stressing the importance of enhancing awareness about clean sport alongside India’s rising sporting aspirations.
He noted India’s commendable 4th place finishes at both the Asian Games and Asian Para Games, showcasing the nation’s growing prowess in sports. However, he acknowledged that doping remains a significant issue, necessitating ongoing efforts in education, prevention, testing, and enforcement.
“In the 2025-26 period, NADA conducted over 7,000 tests and held more than 350 educational sessions, reaching 27,000 individuals,” Mandaviya added.
He also mentioned the establishment of supplement testing facilities at the National Forensic Sciences University in Gandhinagar and the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research in Hyderabad, which aid in preventing inadvertent doping cases. Investigations within NADA will be enhanced to align with global standards. The National Anti-Doping Act was enacted this year, and the government is preparing to introduce provisions to criminalize doping-related activities in Parliament.
Education Minister Pralhad Joshi remarked that the MoU would bridge the long-standing gap between education and sports. He pointed out that students excelling academically do not always engage in sports, emphasizing the need to enhance grassroots opportunities and create better pathways for young athletes.
“This MoU marks a significant step towards reinforcing the link between education and sports, which has been lacking for a considerable time. Through this initiative, we aim to ensure that sports values become a fundamental aspect of every child’s educational journey,” Joshi stated.
He expressed satisfaction that children are now being educated about clean sport and its associated values. The values introduced through this toolkit should extend beyond classrooms and permeate all segments of society. By incorporating sports values into education, we can cultivate responsible citizens and foster a culture of fairness and integrity from an early age.
Tim Curtis characterized the MoU as a new chapter in UNESCO’s collaboration with India, with the potential to impact millions of young individuals and serve as a model for other nations. “Every child in the classroom can learn the importance of playing by the rules. This toolkit brings three core values into education and sport: respect, integrity, and fairness,” he stated.
“The toolkit provides practical resources and ideas, but it is the teachers who will bring these values to life. We must observe interactions in the schoolyard and how children treat each other in daily situations. The true test of these values is whether children play fairly even when no one is watching. That is the integrity we aspire to nurture from a young age,” Curtis concluded.