Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya calls for a talent identification to build India’s 2036 Olympic athlete pool

Taking forward Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement of a nationwide sports talent hunt from the ramparts of the Red Fort, Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya today called for an accelerated and comprehensive talent identification roadmap to build India’s athlete pool for the 2036 Olympics.

Chairing the 63rd Governing Body Meeting of the Sports Authority of India (SAI), Dr. Mandaviya emphasised that the groundwork for India’s sporting ambitions over the next decade must begin now. “The plan for the next 10 years before we see the Olympics being hosted in the nation has to start in full swing right from this moment,” the Hon’ble Minister said.

In line with the Prime Minister’s call to identify and nurture sporting talent across the country, Dr. Mandaviya said SAI must strengthen its talent scouting mechanism and put in place a structured system for identifying athletes with the potential to progress to the highest level.(UPDATED ON 20TH AUGUST 2026)