National ‘Chintan Shivir’ in Srinagar discusses medal strategy, sports infrastructure, anti-doping measures and stronger Centre–State coordination
Raipur, April 25, 2026: Chhattisgarh is fully committed to the holistic development of sports and is ready to contribute actively to India’s emergence as a global sporting power, Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao said while participating in a national-level Sports Chintan Shivir in Srinagar.
The two-day deliberation camp for Sports Ministers of states and Union Territories began on Friday at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre, bringing together policymakers, sports administrators and experts to chalk out a comprehensive roadmap for strengthening the country’s sporting ecosystem.
The event is being attended by Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of State Raksha Nikhil Khadse, Sports Ministers from various states and Union Territories, senior officials and leading experts from the sports sector.
Representing Chhattisgarh, Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao, who also holds the Sports and Youth Welfare portfolio, is attending the camp along with Yashwant Kumar, Secretary of the Department of Sports and Youth Welfare.
Addressing the gathering, Sao said that the state government is working towards comprehensive growth in the sports sector by strengthening infrastructure, identifying talent at the grassroots level and encouraging youth participation in sports.
“Chhattisgarh is prepared to move forward shoulder-to-shoulder with other states in developing sports infrastructure and nurturing athletes. Our goal is to see talented players emerging from every village and town of the state and representing India proudly on national and international platforms,” he said.
Vision of Building India into a Sporting Powerhouse
The deliberation camp aims to shape a national strategy for transforming India into a global sporting powerhouse by 2047, aligning with the broader vision of Narendra Modi for a developed India.
According to Sao, extensive discussions were held during the first day of the camp on strengthening existing sports policies and introducing new initiatives to improve talent identification, athlete development and sports governance across the country.
He noted that such collaborative platforms allow states to share experiences and best practices while ensuring that policies are implemented effectively at both the national and regional levels.
Medal Strategy Under ‘Khelo India’ Discussed
One of the key sessions of the first day focused on Khelo India, particularly on formulating a long-term medal strategy aimed at improving India’s performance at international competitions, including the Olympic Games.
Participants discussed ways to strengthen coaching systems, improve training methods and provide advanced support to athletes through sports science and modern technologies. Suggestions from various states were considered while deliberating on strategies to nurture athletes capable of winning medals at global events.
Officials also discussed a long-term roadmap aimed at positioning India among the top five countries in the Olympic medal tally by 2048. In this context, experts emphasised the importance of expanding sports science facilities, strengthening athlete support systems and improving coaching standards.
Strengthening Centre–State Coordination
Another important session of the day was organised around the theme of strengthening coordination between the Centre and the states under the Khelo India framework.
During this session, several states presented their successful models and best practices in sports development. Discussions focused on effective utilisation of incentives for athletes, improving talent identification mechanisms and ensuring standardisation in sports academies across the country.
Participants also stressed the need to make physical education a compulsory part of the school curriculum, recruit qualified sports teachers and provide them with advanced training to build a strong foundation for sports at the grassroots level.
In addition, there was a consensus on creating a comprehensive national database of athletes to enable accurate identification and tracking of emerging sporting talent from across the country.
Encouraging Athletes to Aim for Global Excellence
During the deliberations, speakers emphasised that athletes should pursue sports not merely as a pathway to employment but with a clear focus on achieving excellence and winning medals for the country.
It was noted that athletes who perform exceptionally at international competitions receive greater recognition, financial incentives and opportunities. Participants also discussed the need to create a system that allows athletes to continue pursuing their sporting careers even after securing employment, ensuring that promising talents do not leave sports prematurely.
Focus on Rural Sports Infrastructure
Another major theme of discussion was the promotion of sports culture in rural areas. Participants highlighted the importance of expanding sports infrastructure, improving access to training facilities and encouraging children and youth to dedicate more time to sports activities.
Experts also stressed the need to involve professional planners and technical experts while constructing sports infrastructure to ensure quality facilities that meet international standards.
Strong Stand Against Doping
The third session of the day focused on the issue of doping and the need to strengthen sports ethics. The Union government reiterated its commitment to implementing strict measures against the use of banned substances in sports.
Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra, who participated in the session, emphasised the importance of athlete safety and the need to increase the number of safeguarding officers to ensure a safe and professional sporting environment.
Officials also discussed the proposal to treat doping as a criminal offence and to introduce stricter regulatory frameworks to maintain the integrity of sports.
Two-Day Deliberation to Shape Future Sports Policy
The Chintan Shivir, which will continue until April 26, is seen as an important step towards shaping future sports policies, strengthening collaboration between the Centre and states and promoting excellence in athletics.
The initiative, organised for the second consecutive year by the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, aims to develop a comprehensive strategy for nurturing talent, improving sports infrastructure and positioning India as a formidable force in global sports.
