VARANASI, India, Jan. 5, 2026
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday virtually inaugurated the 72nd Senior National Volleyball Championship in Varanasi and reiterated that India is preparing with full strength to host the 2036 Olympic Games.
Addressing the event online, Modi highlighted that in the past decade and a half, the government has facilitated over 20 major international tournaments in various Indian cities, including the FIFA U-17 World Cup and Hockey World Cup. He noted that the 2030 Commonwealth Games are also scheduled to be held in India, emphasizing efforts to provide more opportunities for athletes to compete.
The Prime Minister described the country as riding a “reform express” that encompasses all sectors, including sports. He pointed to significant reforms such as the National Sports Governance Act and the Khelo India Policy 2025, which aim to identify talent, enhance transparency in sports organizations, and allow young people to pursue both sports and education simultaneously. These initiatives focus on building robust infrastructure, funding mechanisms, and memorable experiences for youth.
Modi reflected on a past era of indifference toward sports in government and society, when few youth considered it a viable career. He said the mindset has shifted in the last decade, driven by a collective “India First” spirit that has fueled progress across areas from sanitation to digital payments and national development campaigns.
