Seven years ago, we ignited a movement with the launch of the Khelo India School Games (KISG) in 2018. Today, as I look at how far we’ve come, I am filled with immense pride—not just for the medals we’ve won, but for the way Khelo India has transformed the very fabric of sports in our nation. Conceptualized under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Khelo India was never just about winning medals—it was about igniting a nationwide movement for sports, fostering a culture where every child has the opportunity to play and develop holistically. Today, this movement has evolved into a multi-faceted national program spanning 16 editions of Khelo India Games, creating an ecosystem that nurtures young talent, builds world-class infrastructure, and promotes inclusivity in sports—laying the foundation for India’s ambitious goal of becoming a dominant global sporting nation.

The inaugural Khelo India School Games (KISG) set the tone for India’s grassroots sports revolution. Recognizing the immense potential within school-level competitions, KISG created a structured pathway for young athletes to transition from inter-school competitions to national and international sporting events. Over the years, this initiative has identified and nurtured thousands of athletes, some of whom have gone on to represent India at the Olympics and Asian Games. The biggest example of the system has been Khel Ratna awardee Manu Bhaker, who transitioned from the School Games to the University Games to becoming a double bronze medallist at the Paris Olympics.

With the expansion of KISG into the broader Khelo India Games framework, grassroots talent identification has become more robust. Schools remain the hotbeds of raw talent, and Khelo India has played a pivotal role in ensuring that these young........

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