Sports Minister Outlines Plans To 'Place India Among The Top 10 Sporting Nations'

Last Updated:September 12, 2025, 16:20 IST

Mansukh Mandaviya unveiled a long-term athlete-centric sports strategy, highlighting the National Sports Governance Bill and India’s top-10 global sporting ambitions.

Sports minister Mansukh Mandaviya. (PTI Photo)

Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Thursday emphasised that Indian sports must prioritise athletes in every decision, as he presented a long-term strategy to elevate the country into the world’s top-10 sporting nations.

Mandaviya stated that the government’s ongoing initiatives, including Fit India, Khelo India, and the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), aim to create a comprehensive ecosystem where athletes, rather than administrators, are the central focus.

“Earlier, federations often focused more on their disputes than on athletes, but now our priority is to make athletes the epicentre of sports," Mandaviya said at the PlayCom Business of Sports Summit 2025.

“The Bill also ensures greater representation of women in sports, as we are committed to increasing women’s participation.

“Sports governance should not be about creating disputes but about resolving them. That is why we have included provisions for immediate dispute redressal in the Sports Governance Bill. Special provisions have been created for athletes to safeguard their interests," he added.

How National Sports Governance Bill Will Help?

The National Sports Governance Bill, 2025, which received presidential assent last month, mandates the formation of a National Sports Board to supervise all federations, including the BCCI. It also guarantees greater representation for women and clearer dispute resolution mechanisms.

“We want the best model, but it must be our own model. There is abundant talent across the country, and this talent must be given opportunities through the creation of a strong sports ecosystem. To ensure good governance, we introduced the Sports Governance Bill, which is athlete-centric," the Minister asserted.

He further outlined India’s long-term ambitions. “We have also laid out a 10-year plan and a 25-year plan in line with the vision given by Prime Minister Modi ji-our target is to make India a developed nation and to place India among the top 10 sporting nations in the world. These plans are ready and will be implemented soon, with corresponding policy changes to support them," he added.

Indian Olympic Association president PT Usha stressed that India’s future lies in grassroots development. “Talent is not confined to big cities or academies. It is in the smallest towns and remotest villages. A child running barefoot to school. A girl playing kabaddi in her backyard. What they need is opportunity, proper training, nutrition, facilities and above all encouragement from parents and teachers," Usha added.

Mandaviya, who inaugurated the summit, later visited various sports stalls to observe the innovations and facilities on display.

(With inputs from PTI)

Ritayan Basu

Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes cricket content, havin...Read More

Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes cricket content, havin...

Read More

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News sports Sports Minister Outlines Plans To 'Place India Among The Top 10 Sporting Nations'

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