The Week
In a landmark move aimed at transforming India’s sporting landscape, the Union Cabinet has approved the National Sports Policy (NSP) 2025, also known as Khelo Bharat Niti. The policy replaces the two-decade-old 2001 framework and lays out a strategic roadmap to position India as a global sports leader—with a sharp focus on hosting and excelling at the 2036 Olympic Games.
Here’s a detailed breakdown of the policy’s pillars, ambitions, and implementation strategy.
Key Highlights of NSP 2025
• Anchored on five pillars: Excellence on the Global Stage, Sports for Economic Development, Sports for Social Development, Sports as a People’s Movement, and Integration with Education
• Aims to establish India as a top-five sporting nation by 2047 and a strong contender for hosting the 2036 Olympics
• Developed through extensive consultations with ministries, state governments, NITI Aayog, National Sports Federations, athletes, and public stakeholders
• Replaces the outdated 2001 policy with a holistic, inclusive, and performance-driven framework
Excellence on the Global Stage
• Focus on grassroots-to-elite talent development, competitive leagues, and world-class infrastructure
• Emphasis on sports science, coaching, athlete support systems, and governance reforms in federations
• Integration of technology and data analytics to enhance performance and training outcomes
Economic and Social Development Through Sports
• Promotion of sports tourism and hosting of major international events to boost local economies
• Support for startups, manufacturing, and entrepreneurship in the sports sector via PPPs and CSR initiatives
• Targeted programs for women, tribal communities, economically weaker sections, and persons with disabilities
• Revival of indigenous sports and engagement with the Indian diaspora
Mass Participation and Education Integration
• Nationwide fitness campaigns, school and workplace fitness indices, and universal access to sports infrastructure
• Inclusion of sports in school curricula under NEP 2020, dual-career pathways for athletes, and professional development for PE teachers
• Use of technology-enabled tracking and KPIs to monitor progress and ensure accountability
Olympic Hosting Ambitions
• A high-level Indian delegation recently concluded talks with the International Olympic Committee in Lausanne to explore hosting the 2036 Olympics in Ahmedabad
• The policy envisions India as a global sports tourism hub, leveraging international events to enhance its global image and revenue potential
As India sets its sights on the Olympic podium and global sporting leadership, NSP 2025 marks a bold and comprehensive step—where policy meets ambition, and grassroots talent meets world-class opportunity.
Sources: Hindustan Times, The Hans India, MSN News
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