2030 Commonwealth Games to be held in India; strong efforts underway to host 2036 Olympics: PM
New Delhi, January 4 (KNS): Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated the 72nd National Volleyball Tournament in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, via video conferencing. Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister, who is also the Member of Parliament from Varanasi, expressed happiness in welcoming and congratulating all the players participating in the championship.
He remarked that the National Volleyball Championship is commencing in Varanasi from today and noted that the players have reached this national tournament after immense hard work. Their efforts, he said, will now be tested on the grounds of Varanasi in the coming days. Highlighting that teams from 28 states have gathered for the event, Shri Modi said it presents a beautiful picture of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat. Extending his best wishes, he conveyed greetings to all participants of the championship.
Recalling a local Banarasi saying, the Prime Minister observed that the players have now arrived in Varanasi and will also come to know the city. He emphasised that Varanasi is a city of sports lovers, where wrestling, traditional akhadas, boxing, boat races and kabaddi are very popular. He noted that the city has produced many national-level players, and institutions such as Banaras Hindu University, UP College and Kashi Vidyapeeth have witnessed their players excel at state and national levels.
Shri Modi highlighted that for thousands of years, Varanasi has welcomed those who come in pursuit of knowledge and art. He expressed confidence that during the National Volleyball Championship, the enthusiasm of Varanasi will remain high, players will find audiences cheering for them, and they will experience the city’s rich tradition of hospitality.
The Prime Minister underlined that volleyball is not an ordinary sport, describing it as a game of balance and cooperation where determination is reflected in the effort to keep the ball always lifted. He said volleyball instils team spirit, guided by the mantra of “Team First”. While each player may possess different skills, all play for the victory of the team, he observed.
Drawing parallels between India’s development journey and the game of volleyball, Shri Modi said the sport teaches that no victory is ever achieved alone, and success depends on coordination, trust and the readiness of the team. Everyone has their own role and responsibility, and success comes only when each fulfils their duty with seriousness, he said. He added that the nation is progressing in a similar manner — from cleanliness to digital payments, from Ek Ped Maa ke Naam to the campaign for a developed India — with every citizen, section and province working with collective consciousness and the spirit of India First.
Pointing out that the world today is praising India’s growth and economy, the Prime Minister said this progress is not confined to the economic front but is also reflected in the confidence seen on the sports field. He noted that India’s performance across various sports has consistently improved since 2014 and expressed pride in seeing Gen-Z athletes hoisting the Tricolour in international competitions.
Recalling a time when both government and society were largely indifferent towards sports, Shri Modi said this had created uncertainty among players about their future and discouraged youth from adopting sports as a career. He highlighted that over the past decade, there has been a significant change in mindset towards sports. The government has substantially increased the sports budget, and India’s sports model has become athlete-centric, focusing on talent identification, scientific training, nutrition and transparent selection, ensuring players’ interests are prioritised at every level.
“Today the nation is riding on the Reform Express, with every sector and every development destination connected to it, and sports is also one of them,” the Prime Minister said.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelHe highlighted major reforms in the sports sector, including the National Sports Governance Act and the Khelo Bharat Policy 2025, which aim to provide opportunities to the right talent and increase transparency in sports organisations. These reforms, he said, will enable youth to progress simultaneously in both sports and education.
Referring to initiatives such as TOPS, Modi said they are transforming India’s sports ecosystem by strengthening infrastructure, funding mechanisms and providing young athletes with global exposure. He pointed out that in the past decade, India has hosted over 20 major international sporting events across several cities, including the FIFA Under-17 World Cup, Hockey World Cup and major chess tournaments.
“The 2030 Commonwealth Games will be held in India, and the country is making strong efforts to host the 2036 Olympics as well, with the aim of providing more and more players greater opportunities to compete,” the Prime Minister said.
At the school level, he noted, efforts are being made to expose young athletes to Olympic sports through the Khelo India campaign, enabling hundreds of youth to advance to the national level. He added that the Sansad Khel Mahotsav concluded only a few days ago, where nearly one crore youth showcased their talent. As the MP from Varanasi, he said around three lakh youth from the city demonstrated their strength and skills during the event.
Highlighting improvements in sports infrastructure in Varanasi, Shri Modi said modern sports facilities are being developed and stadiums for different games are coming up. New sports complexes are providing training opportunities to players from nearby districts, he added, noting that the Sigra Stadium, the venue for the tournament, is now equipped with several modern amenities.
The Prime Minister expressed happiness that Varanasi is preparing itself for major events and said hosting the National Volleyball Competition is highly significant in securing the city’s place on the country’s sporting map. He recalled that Varanasi has earlier hosted several important events, including G-20 meetings, cultural festivals such as Kashi Tamil Sangamam and Kashi Telugu Sangamam, the Pravasi Bharatiya Sammelan, and its designation as the cultural capital of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. The volleyball championship, he said, now joins these achievements as another jewel, positioning Varanasi as a major destination for large platforms.
Noting the city’s pleasant winter weather and seasonal delicacies, Modi suggested participants enjoy malaiyyo. He urged them to also visit Baba Vishwanath, experience boating in the Ganga and immerse themselves in Varanasi’s heritage. Concluding his address, the Prime Minister encouraged players to perform well, expressing hope that every spike, block and point from the soil of Varanasi will elevate India’s sporting aspirations. He once again extended his best wishes to all participants.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Shri Yogi Adityanath was present on the occasion, among other dignitaries.
Background
The 72nd National Volleyball Tournament is being held from January 4 to 11 and will witness participation from across the country, with over 1,000 players competing as part of 58 teams representing various states and institutions. The tournament is expected to showcase high standards of competition, sportsmanship and talent in Indian volleyball.
Hosting the tournament in Varanasi reflects the growing emphasis on strengthening sports infrastructure and promoting athletic development in the city. It further enhances Varanasi’s profile as a hub for major national events, aligning with its expanding role in hosting significant cultural and sporting initiatives.(KNS)