Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed Indian athletes and officials celebrating India's historic performance at the Asian Games 2026, where the country achieved a record 107 medals. The PM specifically highlighted several landmark achievements including both men's and women's hockey teams winning gold medals, with the women's team ending a 44-year gold drought. In cricket, both teams won medals for the second consecutive time, while both kabaddi teams also secured gold medals. India won five gold medals in archery and achieved outstanding performances in shooting, boxing, and wrestling, with new records set in athletics.
The address noted particularly significant breakthroughs including India's first medal in weightlifting after 28 years, first marathon success since 1982, and historic first-ever medals in Mixed Martial Arts, Soft Tennis, and certain sailing events. Women athletes contributed significantly with 38 out of the 85 medals, including 11 gold medals, representing what the PM described as "a powerful image of New India."
The government's sports development initiatives were detailed, including the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) which provides athletes with ₹50,000 per month and the Khelo India scheme which has received over ₹36,000 crore in funding. More than one thousand Khelo India Centres have been established nationwide, along with stadiums, mini-stadiums, multi-purpose sports halls, athletics tracks, football grounds, hockey grounds, and swimming pools being built across both small and large cities.
Future sporting ambitions were announced including hosting the Commonwealth Games in 2030 and aspiring to host the Olympics in 2036. A nationwide talent hunt campaign was launched focusing on identifying sporting talent among children aged 5-15 from villages across the country. The PM also emphasized broader economic goals including making India among the top three global economies, achieving self-reliance, becoming a global manufacturing hub, and establishing leadership in technology and space.
The address highlighted how sports development is creating new career opportunities in sports coaching, physiotherapy, sports management, and sports broadcasting, opening new avenues of employment and entrepreneurship for young people. The PM called upon current athletes to mentor the next generation by visiting schools and local grounds to share their experiences and inspire children to pursue sports.