Union Sports Minister felicitates Indian PD Cricket Team, assures full Government support for ‘Divyang’ athletes
Jan 24, New Delhi : Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya honoured the Indian Physical Disability (PD) Cricket Team today on winning the PD Champions Trophy 2025 in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The team defeated England in the tournament final, demonstrating exceptional skill and resilience. The Indian PD Cricket Team, supported by the Differently Abled Cricket Council of India (DCCI) and accessibility organization Svayam, was felicitated at the Sports Authority of India. Dr. Mandaviya emphasized the government’s commitment to supporting athletes with disabilities, quoting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of inclusive sports participation. “Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has assured commitment towards ‘divyang’ athletes. If you are a ‘divyang’ person, it doesn’t mean you cannot make the nation proud. And your victory is a testament to that. The passion showed by the Indian PD Cricket Team, from the rigorous process of selection to the performance in Sri Lanka, brings to light your immense mettle. Winning 5 matches out of six and beating England, Sri Lanka and Pakistan is no mean feat,” Dr Mandaviya said. The selection process of the Indian PD Cricket Team took place in Udaipur where over 450 cricketers from 28 States turned up for the Nationals. From the list, 56 were picked up for the Challenger Trophy in Jaipur and finally, 17 were shortlisted to represent India. Mentioning about the growing list of achievements brought to the nation by the specially-abled athletes, from the Paris Paralympics to the PD Champions Trophy 2025, Dr Mandaviya added, “Our ‘divyang’ athletes are giving us many reasons to be proud and pushing us to step up our support towards them. The government is with you and you have to use your success to inspire more youth through various platforms.” The event on Friday was also attended by the full team, coaches, DCCI General Secretary Ravikant Chauhan, Svayam Founder-Chairperson Sminu Jindal, and Sports Ministry officials.
Union Sports Minister felicitates winning teams of Kho Kho World Cup 2025, lauds players for making nation proud
Jan 22, New Delhi : Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya felicitated the World Cup-winning Kho Kho teams on Wednesday here. The Indian men and women teams scripted history after clinching the inaugural Kho Kho World Cup titles at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium on January 19. Both teams defeated Nepal in their respective finals. Present on Wednesday morning was the full squad of the men’s and women’s Kho Kho teams as well as the coaches, Sudhanshu Mittal, President of the Kho Kho Federation of India (KKFI) and other officials from the Union Sports Ministry and the Sports Authority of India. Talking about the resurgence of traditional games in the nation, Dr Mandaviya said, “Traditional games showcase the resilience, community spirit and most importantly, upholds our traditional sporting value. The world has so much to learn from the richness of these traditional games.“ “Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has mentioned across various national platforms that we have to give the best exposure to the traditional sports. Now our teams are not only getting the best exposures but also coming out with flying colours. I congratulate the spirit of our players and the traditional skills of both teams,” Dr Mandaviya mentioned. With the highlight being the 2036 Olympics which India has put forth a bid to host, the Union Minister added that the winning flow from all the stakeholders should continue, with the latest target being the Asian Games 2026. “We did a splendid job of organising the Kho Kho World Cup and we need to make an effort that these players get a chance to play at the Asian Games. The Government’s endeavour is also to take Kho Kho to Olympics in 2036. For this, the players and coaches need to keep performing well, the federation has to keep managing well and the Sports Ministry will carry on supporting and helping level up the players’ performances.” Out of the 23 countries that took part in the Kho Kho World Cup 2025 at the national capital, India came on top. The credit has largely been given to the month-long camp at the Sports Authority of India JLN Stadium. Sumit Bhatia, chief coach, India Women’s Kho Kho team, explained, “On December 10, we started the camp at the SAI JLN Stadium with 60 players. Out of them, we found the best 15 players each for the men’s and the women’s team. The teams were composed of players from Kashmir to Kanyakumari and the camp helped them forge the team chemistry.“ “The players went through sports science testing for the first-time ever and were provided the best diet and lodging facilities from the Sports Authority of India. This has played instrumental in our success today. With the next edition of the World Cup coming up in England four years later, we will make it a point to unfurl India’s flag again on top of the podium,” Sumit Bhatia added.
Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya chairs first-ever CSR round table for sports development
New Delhi, January 15: With the objective of strengthening the Indian sports ecosystem in order to host the 2036 Olympic Games, Honourable Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya urged corporates to adopt one sport during the first-ever corporate round-table conference in the National Capital on Thursday. Dr. Mandaviya emphasized a vision to position India among the top five global sports performers by 2047, as the nation marks 100 years of independence. Aiming to bridge the gap between aspirations and execution, he stressed the critical role of Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) in building sustainable sports infrastructure and talent development programs. He also proposed that PSUs from the Centre support state-level requirements to achieve sporting excellence. “Each corporate entity should focus on a single sport to ensure dedicated attention and optimal resource allocation, while also enabling effective athlete branding to align with CSR investments and promotional activities,” Dr. Mandaviya said. Apart from that, the Union Minister asked the corporates to contribute towards upgrading sports facilities in existing district-level schools in line with the District Level Sports Schools in Gujarat. He further spoke about developing Olympic Training Centres, sports academies, funding the training and coaching of Target Olympic Podium Scheme athletes and to be actively involved in the organisation of national leagues in disciplines where it is yet to be staged. More than 40 corporate houses and organisations working in the sports ecosystem shared their knowledge and opinion in a first-ever Open House session with the Sports Minister. Corporate bigwigs who attended the event lauded the initiative saying that it can become a gamechanger for the Indian Sports ecosystem. Speaking after the meeting, JSW Sports MD Parth Jindal said, “This is the first time that the honourable Sports Minister spent so much time with the corporate sector – almost three hours he spent. He wanted to understand our opinion, our view on how to take Indian sports forward. The government is already doing a lot of incredible work in sports and even the corporates are doing their bit but how to collaborate so that the athletes are happy and we can improve our medal tally at the 2036 Olympics.” ICICI Bank Non-Executive Chairman PK Sinha especially liked the concept of development of sports infrastructure in rural areas and opined, “Development of sports in rural areas is the need of the hour. It is heartening to see that the Indian government and our honourable Sports Minister is fully committed to improve the sports infrastructure in distant villages. A lot of raw talent resides in more than 6 lakh Indian villages. They need to be nurtured and motivated to play sports. ICICI Bank will be very pleased to have a further dialogue with officials to do what best we can for rural sports.” Dalmia Cement Bharat MD Puneet Dalmia also expressed his company’s interest in developing District Level Sports Schools, one of the key infrastructure development plans of the CSR partnership. “Being a father, I personally believe that engaging a young generation to play sports is of utmost importance with the kids spending almost 7-8 hours on mobile phones and tablets. If we want to produce a healthier and fitter generation, we have to penetrate into Tier 2/3 cities and towns, where sports is still not a priority. The Dalmia Group is present in 14 states and 27 cities and we would like to develop sports infrastructure at the district level,” Mr Dalmia said. The corporates can also become thematic partners for Khelo India mission, indigenous sports, para sports and sports for women programmes apart from the establishment of sports science centres and performance testing labs.
Union Sports Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya to chair first-ever round table meet with top corporates
New Delhi, January 15: With the objective of strengthening collaboration between the government and corporate stakeholders, Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya will chair a first-ever round table conference with top corporate houses in the National Capital on Thursday. More than 40 corporate houses and organisations working in the sports ecosystem will converge in the National Capital for the in-depth meeting. Prominent corporate companies who will be in attendance are Tata, JSW, Glenmark, Dalimia Cement, Relaince, Adani, Kotak Group, HDFC, ICICI Bank, Cultfit, Dream Sports, GMR Group, Google India, among others. The conference aims to foster dialogue between government ministers and corporate leaders to explore synergies, address key policy concerns, and develop collaborative strategies for sustainable economic growth and development in the sports arena. The meeting also aims to bring insights into actionable policies for enhancing the business ecosystem and strategic recommendations for sustainable and inclusive growth in sports arena.
Union Sports Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya chairs 152nd MOC meeting to begin preparations for LA 2028 Olympics
New Delhi, January 7: Honourable Union Minister for Youth Affairs & Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya chaired the 152nd Mission Olympic Cell (MOC) meeting here at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium on Tuesday in the presence of eminent sportspersons, administrators and coaches. The main agenda of the meeting was introduction of members for the newly-constituted MOC and planning for Los Angeles 2028 towards improving India’s medal tally at the Olympics. The Sports Minister emphasised on employing a 360-degree approach to improve the Indian sports ecosystem with consolidated efforts from National Sports Federations (NSFs), State governments, Corporate houses, Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs). “This is an important forum for me, many actions have already started as per ideas shared by all of you. Winning medals in the Olympics is not a one-year or 6 months job. It requires preparation well in advance. India’s sports infrastructure and funding is at par with the countries performing well at the Global stage. As you are aware, our Prime Minister is fully invested in the idea of making India a sports superpower. So, we have to hold each other’s hands and all stakeholders have to contribute to take the country forward,” Dr Mandaviya said during the two-hour meeting. Olympic medallist Gagan Narang, Pullela Gopichand (Vice-president, Badminton Association of India), Viren Rasquinha (Olympic Gold Quest), Aparna Popat, Dronacharya awardee para coach Dr Satyapal Singh, Arjuna awardee Prashanti Singh, Sports psychologist Gayatri Madkekar, Kamlesh Mehta (Secretary General, Table Tennis Federation of India), Cyrus Poncha (Secretary General, Squash Rackets Federation of India), Deepthi Bopaiah (GoSports Foundation), Siddharth Shanker (Reliance Foundation), Manisha Malhotra (JSW Sports), Gautam Vadehra (Joint Secretary, Petroleum Sports Promotion Board) and Prem Lochab (Railway Sports Promotion Board) attended the meeting along with officials from the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports (MYAS) and the Sports Authority of India (SAI). Secretary (Sports), Smt. Sujata Chaturvedi, welcomed the newly-constituted MOC members followed by a brief introduction of the Target Olympic Podium Scheme and objective of the meeting by newly-appointed CEO Nachhatar Singh Johal. The key points discussed during the meeting were: 1. Formulation of a robust talent identification criteria of Development Group for Brisbane 20322. Developing short/medium/long term targets for athletes included in TOPS3. Monitoring preparedness and actual performance vis-à-vis short/medium/long term targets4. Approval of budgetary requirements for customised training of individuals and teams5. Identifying and availing services of High Performance Experts to meet training needs of athletes
Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya Chairs Stakeholders Consultation Meeting with IOA, NSFs, and NSPOs on Draft National Sports Governance Bill 2024
Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports and Labour & Employment, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya chaired a significant stakeholders consultation meeting with the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), National Sports Federations (NSFs), and National Sports Promotion Organisations (NSPOs) to deliberate on the Draft National Sports Governance Bill 2024 in New Delhi today. Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, Smt. Raksha Khadse, President, Indian Olympic association, Smt. P.T. Usha and representatives of Mission Olympic Cell and Sports Control Boards of Central Ministries were also present on the occasion. In his address, Dr. Mandaviya emphasized the government’s commitment to creating a robust and transparent sports ecosystem that fosters excellence and integrity. “The Draft National Sports Governance Bill 2024 Bill is a milestone in our mission to build a robust and transparent sports governance structure in India that aligns with international standards, including the Olympic and Paralympic Charter. The active involvement of various stakeholders and public is crucial for shaping policies that reflect the aspirations of our sports community,” he said. “The Draft Bill is a crucial step towards realizing the Prime Minister’s vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047, where sports thrive as a pillar of national pride and growth,” said the Minister. “By empowering athlete-centric federations, introducing the Safe Sports Policy, and establishing an Appellate Sports Tribunal, we are building a robust framework that not only elevates our athletes but also strengthens India’s position on the global sports stage”, he added. The consultation saw active participation from representatives of various NSFs, NSPOs and IOA who shared their perspectives on the proposed governance reforms, athlete welfare measures, and the promotion of transparency in the administration of sports. The discussions also focused on key issues such as safeguarding athletes’ rights, streamlining the functioning of sports bodies, and enhancing India’s global sports standing. Dr. Mandaviya assured the stakeholders that their valuable inputs would be carefully considered in refining the draft bill. He reiterated the ministry’s vision to make India a global sports powerhouse by creating an environment that encourages fair play, inclusivity, and the holistic development of athletes. The Draft National Sports Governance Bill 2024 establishes a comprehensive framework to promote the development and welfare of sportspersons, ensure ethical governance, and provide effective dispute resolution mechanisms. The meeting aimed to gather insights, suggestions, and feedback from various stakeholders to create a law that benefits Indian sports. Union Minister reiterated that stakeholders and the general public are encouraged to share their suggestions and comments on the draft bill. The Comments can be send to the Ministry preferably by email at email id draft.sportsbill[at]gov[dot]in by 25.10.2024. Draft National Sports Governance Bill 2024 can be accessed at https://yas.nic.in/sports/draft-national-sports-governance-bill-2024-inviting-comments-suggestions-general-public-and. The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports will continue to engage with various stakeholders as the draft bill progresses towards finalization, ensuring that the voices of athletes, administrators, experts and public are incorporated in shaping a progressive and sustainable sports governance framework for India.
Each one of you has overcome the challenges life has presented and emerged as winners: Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya
Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports and Labour & Employment, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, today felicitated the members of the Indian Para-athletics contingent on their triumphant return to India after their outstanding performances at the Paris 2024 Paralympics. Union Minister felicitated the athletes, coaches, and support staff during the ceremony. Addressing the contingent, Dr. Mandaviya expressed his admiration and appreciation for their remarkable achievements, stating: “I am thrilled to meet six Paralympics debutant athletes today. I want to congratulate Deepthi on winning a medal in her very first participation in this prestigious event. To the others, I give you my best wishes for the future Paralympics, where I am confident you will win medals. Remember, playing is not just about medals, each one of you has overcome the challenges life has presented and emerged as winners. You are all an inspiration to millions of youth across India.” Among those present were athlete Deepthi Jeevanji, who won the bronze in the Women’s 400m T20 category on her Paralympic debut, and her fellow debutant athletes Ravi Rongali (Men’s Shotput F40), Rakshita Raju (Women’s 1500m T11), Kanchan Lakhani (Women’s Discus Throw F53), Sakshi Kasana (Women’s Discus Throw F55), and Manu (Men’s Shotput F37), along with their coaches Rahul Balakrishna, Suresh Kumar Kuruba, Sunil Lakhani, and escort. Deepthi, whose talent was discovered by SAI coach N Ramesh in Hyderabad, started her para-athletics journey in 2019. She has been a Khelo India athlete since 2018 and is now a TOPS athlete. In a short period, she has won many international competitions including a God Medal at the Asian Para Games and a Gold Medal at the 2024 World Championship, where she broke the world record. In the domestic circuit, she made a mark by winning two medals at the Khelo India Youth Games in 2020. After the felicitation programme, Deepthi said, “I am so happy that I could win a medal for the country. I won a bronze medal now, but I will try to win a gold next time.” India has bagged a total of 24 medals, including 5 Gold, 9 Silver and 10 Bronze medals, as on the end of the day’s events on September 4, 2024. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Paris Paralympics 2024: Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya Felicitates Indian Para-Badminton Team for Historical Podium Finish At The Games
In the presence of Hon’ble Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports and Labour & Employment, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, the felicitation of the Indian Para-Badminton team was carried out in New Delhi for its spectacular performance at the Paris Paralympics 2024. The contingent returned to India with their best-ever performance in Para-Badminton, securing a total of five medals-one Gold, two Silver, and two Bronze. Appreciation Expressing his pride, Dr. Mandaviya congratulated the athletes: “You have made the entire nation proud with your outstanding performance. Your dedication and spirit have set a new benchmark for Indian sports” He also encouraged those who narrowly missed out on medals, underlining that their experiences weren’t a loss: “We haven’t lost medals, we have gained invaluable experience. I am confident that in the future Paralympics, our medal count will further rise, and each of you will emerge as winners.” he assured. India’s Steady Progress in Sports Dr. Mandaviya also spoke of the gradual rise of India at international sports over a decade and elaborated, “In the last 10 years, we have continuously improved our performance, proving our mettle on the global stage,” He reassured the government of its commitment to increasing support for para-athletes by providing better facilities, training, and opportunities to excel. Medal Winners The champions in Para-Badminton were Nitesh Kumar (Gold), Suhas LY (Silver), Thulasimathi Murugesan (Silver), Nithya Sre (Bronze), and Manisha Ramadass (Bronze). Their efforts helped India overtake the number of medals it won at the Tokyo Paralympics, with a total of 20 medals so far as of September 3, 2024. Recognition of Support by Government The athletes thanked the government, especially for its support under the Target Olympic Podium Scheme, which helped to provide them with facilities and resources that were imperative to win on the international front. Notably, the Government of India sanctioned 19 exposure trips abroad for the 13 para shuttlers who played in the games, proving a strong support system for the winners. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye