The Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports and Labor and Employment, Dr. Mansukh L Mandaviya, is welcomed on his arrival in Kohima on December 7th. (IANS photo)
Our correspondent
Kohima | December 7th
The Union Minister for Labor, Employment and Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. Mansukh L. Mandaviya, today said that India has witnessed a remarkable transformation in the field of sports in the last decade under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“From mere competitors, we have evolved into serious competitors on the global stage, be it the Olympics, Paralympics or international tournaments. “This transformation is a result of strategic planning, grassroots engagement and an unwavering commitment to excellence,” he said during an interaction program with the Ministry of Labor and Employment, Youth Resources and Sports and 24 sports associations under the banner of Nagaland Olympic Association.
In a program at Indira Gandhi Stadium Kohima, Dr. Mandaviya said unlike previous times where the focus on sports development was limited, the current government has taken a more proactive and comprehensive approach to reshaping the sports ecosystem.
Several important initiatives have been launched to promote a sports culture, promote fitness and support athletes at all levels. The Union Minister cited the Modi government's various sports development programs including Khelo India Scheme, Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), KIRTI Project, FIT India Movement and National Sports Repository System (NSRS), etc. as examples.
“The Modi government has prioritized the development of sports infrastructure through various schemes including the National Sports Development Fund and the National Sports Infrastructure Scheme. The aim is to provide world-class training facilities and venues for athletes across the country,” said Dr. Mandaviya.
Using a transparent selection methodology based on information technology, data analytics and artificial intelligence, the Khelo India Rising Talent Identification (KIRTI) program aims to identify grassroots talent, ensure that sports reaches every child in the country and the process of talent identification to optimize via a single platform, said Dr. Mandaviya added that the ASMITA Khelo India Women's League initiative underlines the government's commitment to promoting gender equality in sports, providing a platform for women athletes and leveraging technology through the ASMITA portal to improve engagement and the overall sports experience.
Highlighting the National Sports Repository System (NSRS), a comprehensive digital solution that connects key stakeholders such as athletes, coaches, academies, associations and administrators, the Union Minister said the system includes performance evaluation modules and features such as automatic payout of Cash rewards for athletes, mapping sports infrastructure across the country and more.
“India recognizes e-sports”
The Union Minister said that the government has realized the potential of e-sports to not only entertain but also create new opportunities for youth, innovation and economic growth.
“Unlike earlier times when gaming was viewed as just a hobby, e-sports is now recognized as a serious, competitive field with growing investments and support from various stakeholders.” Reflecting the government's initiatives to promote e-sports in India reflects their vision to make the country a global hub for digital sports and provide young Indians with the tools and platforms to excel in this space,” said Dr. Mandaviya.
E-sports has also seen a huge rise in India, gaining official recognition as part of multi-sport events and giving gamers new opportunities to compete on prestigious global platforms. This fast-growing field is captivating millions of young Indians, combining technology, creativity and competition while fostering essential skills such as strategy and teamwork, he said.
Beyond gaming, the esports industry contributes significantly to the economy by creating diverse employment opportunities in areas such as game development, broadcasting, event management and content creation. Furthermore, with increasing support to startups and companies in the gaming sector, the government is driving investment and innovation, paving the way for India to emerge as a global hub of excellence in esports, he said.