Chandigarh, June 3:- With an eye on **Mission Olympics 2036**, the Haryana Government has launched an ambitious initiative to identify and nurture talented athletes from a young age. Under the flagship programme **“Mission Olympics 2036 – Vijayi Bhava”**, gifted children in the age group of 8 to 10 years will be identified and provided with structured training and comprehensive support to prepare them for future international competitions.
The programme will be implemented through the Haryana Sports University, and the Finance Department has already granted initial financial approval for the project.
In a bid to strengthen the sports culture in the state and tap into emerging opportunities in the sports economy, Haryana Sports University is also introducing specialized programmes in areas such as **e-sports, sports journalism, sports communication, and sports management**. These initiatives are expected to create new employment and career opportunities for young people in the sports sector.
The details were presented during a high-level review meeting chaired by Haryana Chief Secretary **Anurag Rastogi**. The meeting reviewed the progress made by the state on decisions taken during the **Fifth National Conference of Chief Secretaries**, held under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister in December 2025. The conference, themed **“Human Capital for Viksit Bharat”**, had identified sports and co-curricular activities as key drivers of youth development and nation-building.
During the meeting, the Chief Secretary emphasized the need for timely implementation of all approved action points and directed departments to maintain close coordination to achieve the objectives outlined in the national roadmap.
Sports Department Director **Parth Gupta** informed the meeting that Haryana has initiated the process of revising its Sports Policy, which was last updated in 2015. A dedicated working group has been constituted to review the existing framework and recommend reforms in line with the latest National Sports Policy and modern sports governance requirements. The proposed amendments aim to strengthen athlete welfare, talent development programmes, sports infrastructure, and institutional support systems.
He also briefed the Chief Secretary about the **“Khelo Haryana App,”** which is being developed as a one-stop digital platform for athletes. The app will integrate various athlete welfare schemes and services, including scholarships, cash awards, employment benefits, sports gradation certificates, pensions, and insurance facilities.
Officials further informed the meeting that a technology-driven system is being planned to monitor sports competitions from the block level to the state level and to maintain a real-time database of sports infrastructure across Haryana.
The meeting was told that Haryana already has a well-established network of **sports nurseries, residential academies, and centres of excellence** for identifying and nurturing sporting talent. This multi-tier system is helping young athletes progress from grassroots participation to advanced training and competitive sports.
The state has also recorded more than **661,000 registrations on the “MY Bharat” platform**, reflecting active youth participation in developmental, educational, and community activities. A large number of youth clubs, educational institutions, and voluntary organizations have also been registered under the programme, expanding opportunities for youth leadership and engagement.
Representatives from the Education, Health, AYUSH, and Development & Panchayats Departments also shared updates on initiatives aimed at promoting **physical literacy, fitness, and wellness** among children and youth. Various programmes, including yoga sessions, fitness activities, and physical literacy assessments, are being conducted to encourage healthy lifestyles and improve physical well-being from an early age.
The meeting was attended by **Yash Garg**, Director General of Industries and Commerce, **Ashwani Malik**, Additional Director of the Sports Department, and senior officials from various departments.