Bhubaneswar: Odisha has showcased its sports development vision at the Chintan Shivir 2026, Srinagar, organised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, underlining its commitment to strengthening India’s sporting ecosystem.
State Sports and Youth Services Minister Suryabanshi Suraj attended the deliberations and noted that the discussions were guided by the vision of Narendra Modi, reflecting a shared commitment to building a strong and future-ready sports ecosystem in the country.
In a post on X, he stated that Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, had addressed ministers and officials from across states, setting the tone for collaborative progress.
Suraj further said that he had the opportunity to present Odisha’s perspective during the panel discussion on India’s medal strategy under the Khelo India Mission. He emphasised that, representing the land of Jagannath, Odisha had reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening sports culture, nurturing talent, and contributing to India’s journey towards becoming a global sporting powerhouse.
Addressing the gathering, Mandaviya called upon states to move beyond policy adoption towards active implementation, stating that real progress should be measured through visible outcomes across districts, training systems, and grassroots ecosystems.
He noted that the Khelo Bharat Mission reflects the energy of the youth as well as the commitment of the nation, according to an official statement.
Mandaviya also stressed the need to bridge the long-standing gap between state governments and sports federations, urging closer alignment to build a strong and unified talent pipeline.
He highlighted the importance of convergence with the education system, stating that early talent identification depends on such coordination and that physical education teachers form the backbone of grassroots sports development.
He further pointed out that missing even a single talented child due to a lack of opportunity would amount to a loss for the entire nation.
Mandaviya added that sports can act as a transformative tool, particularly in regions such as Jammu and Kashmir and other challenging areas, contributing to social harmony and national integration.
The discussions reflected a collective resolve to strengthen India’s sports ecosystem through coordinated, outcome-driven efforts.
