Join sports, playgrounds more important than PlayStation: PM to youth
Speaking at the Khelo India dialogue, he said, “More important than screens are sports centres. More important than PlayStation is the playground. And this will happen only when the youth embrace this approach.” Lamenting India’s absence from almost half of Olympic sports, he said that is why he had announced a talent hunt for children in the 5-15 years age bracket.
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged India's youth to prioritize sports over screen time, emphasizing that playing fields and play areas are far more valuable than electronic devices. Addressing the Khelo India dialogue, Modi lamented India's absence from nearly half of Olympic sports, citing that the nation participated in just 13 sports in the 2012 Olympics, with no presence in more than 20 disciplines.
He called for a talent hunt among children aged 5 to 15, aiming to increase India's medal count by mastering these disciplines. Modi highlighted that India's vast coastline and mountainous regions could produce world-class surfers and sport climbers, sports that have yet to see Indian representation at the Olympics. With India aspiring to host the 2036 Olympics, Modi stressed the importance of preparing athletes capable of qualifying and competing in various sports by that time, emphasizing that the focus should not solely be on medal-winning but on integrating youth power into the broader sporting ecosystem.
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