India Aims for Top-10 Global Sports Ranking by 2036: Bandi Sanjay

India is working towards becoming one of the world's top 10 sporting nations by 2036 and aims to secure a place among the top five by 2047, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar said on Thursday, outlining the Centre's long-term vision for transforming the country's sports ecosystem.

The minister was speaking after inaugurating the 11th All India Police Judo Cluster Championship-2026, hosted by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) in Hyderabad. He said the government has placed sports at the heart of nation-building by expanding infrastructure, identifying talent at the grassroots and providing athletes with world-class training facilities to improve India's performance on the global stage.

Bandi Sanjay said the Centre's vision extends beyond winning medals, focusing on creating a robust sporting culture that nurtures disciplined, physically fit and mentally resilient youth. He noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government has adopted a structured approach to discovering talented athletes from rural and urban areas alike and supporting them through modern coaching, nutrition and advanced sports science.

Highlighting the success of the Khelo India programme, launched in 2017, the minister said more than 1,000 training centres have been established across 700-plus districts, benefiting nearly 27,500 young athletes. Many of them have gone on to represent India in national and international competitions, reinforcing the country's preparations for future global sporting events, including its aspiration to host the 2036 Olympic Games.

He also pointed out that the Union Budget 2026-27 has earmarked nearly ₹4,480 crore for the sports sector, the highest allocation ever, representing an increase of over ₹1,100 crore from the previous year. The enhanced funding will be used to strengthen sports infrastructure, establish additional training facilities and support elite athlete development across the country.

In addition, the Centre has created a ₹500-crore Sports Technology Fund to promote indigenous manufacturing of sports equipment, encourage research and innovation, and improve access to cutting-edge sports technology. The initiative is expected to boost India's domestic sports industry while reducing dependence on imported equipment.

Welcoming the growing participation of women police personnel in competitive sports, Bandi Sanjay said it reflects the government's commitment to women's empowerment and equal opportunities. He added that sports are an integral part of policing, helping personnel build endurance, discipline, teamwork and mental strength essential for safeguarding the nation.

The 11th All India Police Judo Cluster Championship-2026 has brought together more than 1,600 athletes from 36 State Police organisations and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs). The minister said such national-level competitions strengthen national integration, inter-force camaraderie and sporting excellence, while contributing to India's ambitious journey towards becoming a global sporting powerhouse.