‘Khelo India Samvaad’ to be held on August 27 on the occasion of National Sports Day

Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports ‘Khelo India Samvaad’ to be held on August 27 on the occasion of National Sports Day Prime Minister Narendra Modi to interact with youth virtually Over 8 lakh youth to participate from 1,600 locations across the country

Posted On: 25 AUG 2026 6:06PM by PIB Mumbai Mumbai, 25 August 2026 National Sports Day is celebrated on August 29 every year to commemorate the birth anniversary of legendary hockey player Major Dhyan Chand. As part of this year’s celebrations, a special programme will be organised on August 27, 2026, with a focus on youth participation, sports development and nation-building.

As part of the celebrations, ‘Khelo India Samvaad’ is being organised across the country in collaboration with My Bharat, Sports Authority of India (SAI) and National Service Scheme

(NSS). The initiative aims to highlight the transformation of India’s sports ecosystem over the past 12 years under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while also providing a platform to understand the aspirations of the youth. This was stated by My Bharat Maharashtra State Director, Amit Punde, and Sports Authority of India, Mumbai Deputy Director, Madhav Kamble, at a press conference held today at the Mantralaya Vidhimandal Vartahar Sangh. My Bharat, Mumbai, Deputy Director Anup Ingole, was also present on the occasion.Under the programme, ‘Yuva Connect’ will be organised at two colleges in every district of the country. The initiative will provide youth with an opportunity to interact directly with sportspersons and share their views and aspirations for the future of Indian sports. Renowned institutions such as IIT Mumbai, Symbiosis and AIIMS Nagpur will also participate in the initiative, further strengthening the linkages between education, youth, sports and nation- building.

As part of the programme, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will interact with the youth through video conferencing at 10:30 AM on August 27, 2026. More than 8 lakh youth from 1,600 locations across the country will participate in the initiative. The programme will bring together youth from different parts of the country on a common national platform.

Following the Prime Minister’s address, local Yuva Samvad sessions will be organised. These will include a special interaction between My Bharat volunteers and local sportspersons. Participating youth will also have the opportunity to interact with eminent sportspersons, including Sanket Sargar, Swapnil Gond, Rutuja Bhosale, Pritam Salve, Falguni Pillare and Aishwarya Jadhav.

The Yuva Samvad will provide a platform for young participants to share their ideas, suggestions and aspirations for the future of Indian sports and a developed India. The discussions will focus

on four key themes:

Strengthening the Sports Ecosystem: Improving grassroots sports facilities, training and opportunities.

Talent Development for the 2036 Olympics: Promoting scientific talent identification and athlete development.

Youth Leadership and Participation in Governance: Encouraging meaningful participation of youth in governance processes.

Youth Empowerment for a Developed India: Connecting youth with essential future skills, volunteering and opportunities for nation-building.

The Suggestions received from the youth will be collected through a QR code, enabling their ideas and perspectives to be documented. Participants will also be encouraged to take part in the VBYLD Quiz at the programme venues, Maharashtra State Director, My Bharat, Amit Punde, and Deputy Director, Sports Authority of India, Mumbai, Madhav Kamble, said.‘Khelo India Samvaad’ has been conceived as a nationwide platform to connect the youth of India with sportspersons, public representatives and institutions. The initiative will provide young Indians with an opportunity to engage in dialogue, share their ideas and become active partners in India’s sporting transformation and its journey towards a developed India.

* * * PIB Mumbai | Nitin Fulluke/Darshana Rane

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Read this release in: Marathi