The Centre will organise the nationwide “Khelo India Dialogue – Khel Ki Baat, Pradhan Mantri Modi Ke Saath” on August 27 as part of the celebrations for National Sports Day 2026. The initiative will connect young athletes, students, sportspersons and policymakers across more than 1,500 educational institutions.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address young participants virtually during the programme and speak on sports, youth leadership and the vision of Viksit Bharat. The initiative is designed to provide young people with a platform to share ideas and suggestions on the future of India's sports ecosystem and youth development.
According to the Press Information Bureau (PIB), institutions including IITs, IIMs, NITs, AIIMS, leading medical colleges and universities will participate in the nationwide programme. Physical programmes will begin simultaneously at participating institutions after the Prime Minister's virtual address.
Four Key Themes
The dialogue will focus on four broad areas related to sports and youth development. These include strengthening grassroots sports infrastructure, improving coaching and opportunities for athletes, developing talent for the 2036 Olympics and encouraging greater youth participation in governance.
The programme will also discuss future-ready skills, volunteering and opportunities for young people to contribute to nation-building.
A major focus will be on identifying and nurturing sporting talent through scientific methods and structured athlete development. The initiative comes amid India's broader efforts to strengthen its sporting ecosystem and prepare athletes for future international competitions.
Athletes to Interact With Youth
Young participants will also get an opportunity to interact with leading Indian sportspersons and medal winners. According to the PIB, prominent athletes including Deepa Karmakar, Saina Nehwal, Gagan Narang, Sreejesh, Mary Kom, Baichung Bhutia, Gopichand, Anju Bobby George, Karnam Malleswari, Mirabai Chanu and P.T. Usha will participate.
Prominent cricketers are also expected to engage with young participants and discuss their sporting journeys, challenges and experiences.
The interactions are intended to give students and aspiring athletes a closer understanding of the challenges involved in building a sporting career and the experiences of athletes who have competed at the highest levels.
Policymakers to Join Dialogue
The programme will bring policymakers into direct interaction with young people. Members of Parliament, MLAs, Union Ministers, Ministers of State and state sports ministers will participate at various locations.
They will engage with youth and gather suggestions on the four identified themes, creating a platform for discussions between young people, athletes and government representatives.
The government has positioned the initiative as a way to connect the experiences and aspirations of young people at the grassroots level with policymaking.
Focus on 2036 Olympics
The development of athletes with an eye on the 2036 Olympics will be one of the key areas of discussion. The dialogue will explore scientific talent identification and athlete development as part of efforts to build a stronger pipeline of sporting talent.
The government is also seeking to expand youth participation beyond competitive sports by encouraging leadership, volunteering and engagement in nation-building activities.
Quiz and MY Bharat Registration
The programme will also feature the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue Quiz. Young participants will be encouraged to register on the MY Bharat Portal, providing an opportunity for continued youth engagement beyond the August 27 event.
The nationwide format is expected to bring together thousands of young people at educational institutions across the country, allowing them to participate in discussions around sports, leadership and India's future development.
The initiative is being organised as part of National Sports Day 2026 and aims to place young people at the centre of discussions on India's sporting transformation and youth development.
