India strong contender for 2036 Olympics; talent hunt to ensure large…

India strong contender for 2036 Olympics; talent hunt to ensure larger participation: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said India is a strong contender to host the 2036 Olympics and to ensure that the country has a strong presence in the mega event, a nationwide talent hunt would be launched to identify prospects in the age group of 5 to 15. musojam.blog

Addressing the country from the ramparts of Red Fort on the 80th Independence Day, Modi said the government’s flagship Target Olympic Podium Scheme, which was launched in 2014, has been a major success in providing support to athletes.

“India is making space for itself in the world of sports. We hear our national anthem frequently and see our tri-colour going up very often. TOPS has achieved great success. Whether it is Khelo India Games, University Games, Beach Games, Winter Games, or sports training, sports medicine, sports nutrition, India is moving ahead at great pace," he said.

“India’s performance is improving, and we are strong contenders to become an Olympic host in 2036. We are hosting the CWG in 2030. There are about 40 disciplines in Olympics, with nearly 350 events. It is sad that we are not able even compete in at least two third of these events because we are not even able to qualify.”

“We have decided that in 2036, we should have participation in at least three fourth events. We are launching a nationwide talent hunt for children aged 5 to 15 to identify prospects in every corner of the country. They will get special training to become world class athletes," he added.

India is hosting the 2030 CWG in Ahmedabad, which is also in the race to host the 2036 Olympics.

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Independence Day 2026: PM Modi announces major sports push as India eyes 2036 Olympics with nationwide talent hunt

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has renewed India’s push to host the 2036 Olympics and announced a nationwide talent identification campaign to find athletes for sports and events where the country has traditionally had little or no presence.

Speaking from the Red Fort on Independence Day, Modi said India wants to host the 2036 Olympics and needs to start preparing well in advance. He pointed out that there are around 40 sports and between 325 and 350 events at the Olympics, but India does not even participate in two-thirds of them.

“There are around 40 sports at the Olympics, with around 325 to 350 events. You will be saddened to know my fellow countrymen, my young people, I challenge you, I appeal to you, I seek your help: India does not participate in even two-thirds of these sports. We are not present; we do not qualify,” Modi said.

The Prime Minister said the focus will now be on identifying young talent in disciplines where India does not currently qualify or has limited participation. The idea is to give these athletes enough time to develop and reach the level needed to compete at the Olympics.

“We have decided that the 2036 Olympics should be held in India,” Modi said, adding that the country would focus on events that it has traditionally left aside. He also said a talent identification campaign is already being planned as part of the effort.

The move is aimed at widening India’s Olympic presence rather than focusing only on sports where the country has traditionally done well. India has made progress in shooting, wrestling, boxing, badminton, athletics and hockey in recent years, but its participation across the full Olympic programme remains limited.

The talent hunt could therefore open the door for athletes from different parts of the country to take up sports that have not received as much attention in India. Finding athletes early will also give coaches and sporting bodies more time to train them and build a strong system around them.

“If we need athletes for 2036, then today, a talent hunt campaign will be conducted from village to village, city to city, school to school, to identify sporting talent. We have to focus on the children between the ages of five and fifteen, on our daughters. Their abilities will be assessed, and they will then receive specialised training to develop them into good athletes who can represent the country,” PM Modi added.

The announcement comes as India continues its efforts to bring the 2036 Olympics to the country. The nation has formally expressed its interest in hosting the Games, with Ahmedabad seen as the proposed host city. Hosting the Olympics would be a major step for Indian sport and would also require large-scale preparation in infrastructure, facilities and athlete development.

The Prime Minister also acknowledged the success India has achieved through the Target Olympics Podium Scheme (TOPS) as well as the Khelo India games, which has ensured the athletes are moving ahead at great pace.

Matthew Forde shines as Kings edge Falcons in rain-hit CPL thriller

An all-round performance from Mathew Forde secured a thrilling win for Saint Lucia Kings in the rain-affected game against Falcons at St Lucia.

His decent spell and batting contribution have set up Saint Lucia Kings’ 3-wicket victory and secured a top spot in the CPL 2026 points table.

Inviting Barbuda Falcons to bat first, St Lucia Kings were dominant from the start of the innings.

Matthew Forde was destructive from the start, dismissing Evin Lewis and Tim Robinson in the 2nd over of the innings.

Evin Lewis (1) was dismissed by a catch to Jewel Andrew, while Robinson was dismissed for a golden duck.

Forde bagged his 3rd wicket, dismissing Cornwall for 26 runs as Antigua and Barbuda Falcons lost three wickets inside the powerplay.

With Tajinder Dhillon and Amir Jangoo at the crease, Antigua and Barbuda Falcons scored 43 runs in the powerplay.

The duo did put in some contributions before Dhillon got dismissed for 16 runs by Joshua Bishop.

Tonight’s Inspirational Performer goes to Matthew Forde

Amazing figures and important runs with the bat in a low scoring contest

#CPL26 #beinspired #kiteyenspiwew #Ansanmnouplifò #secretsstlucia pic.twitter.com/0HfKunXeY0

— Saint Lucia Kings (@SaintLuciaKings) August 15, 2026

Matthew Forde went on to bag his fourth wicket, dismissing Amir Jangoo for 23 runs. However, the rest of the line-up got dismissed cheaply before Alzarri Joseph added 16* runs as the side scored 98 runs in 19 overs before rain stopped play.

Apart from Matthew Forde’s four-wicket haul, Joshua Bishop and Roston Chase bagged two wickets each.

With a DLS target of 52 runs, Andries Gous and Roston Chase opened the innings, while Jayden Seales opened the bowling attack.

Jayden Seales bagged the wicket of Roston Chase for 1 run, while Alzarri Joseph bagged the wicket of Gous for 7 runs.

Shamar Springer bagged the wicket of Jewel Andrew on an LBW while Ackeem August got dismissed for 6 runs.

After the lineup collapsed, Matthew Forde added 11 runs, and Joshua Bishop added 12* runs, setting up Saint Lucia Kings’ 3-wicket victory in the class.

Matthew Forde was named the player of the match. Speaking at the post-match presentation, Forde said, “You know, for me, it was more about the win. Getting over the line is always good, especially against this opposition. I have some good friends here as well. But it’s always good to pick up two points at home and get our campaign underway.”

The post Matthew Forde shines as Kings edge Falcons in rain-hit CPL thriller appeared first on Times of Sports.

Team India celebrates Independence Day with Tricolour hoisting in Galle ahead of opening Test against Sri Lanka

Galle [Sri Lanka], August 15 (ANI): Team India celebrated the nation’s 80th Independence Day by hoisting the Tricolour in Galle on Saturday, ahead of the opening Test against Sri Lanka.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) shared a video where head coach Gautam Gambhir and skipper Shubman Gill of the Indian team, along with other team members, participated in the flag-hoisting ceremony.

“On the occasion of Independence Day, #TeamIndia gathered at Galle to hoist the Tricolour ahead of the First #SLvIND Test," BCCI wrote on X.

On the occasion of Independence Day, #TeamIndia gathered at Galle to hoist the Tricolour ahead of the First #SLvIND Test.#IndependenceDay pic.twitter.com/tHKIggV6AU

— BCCI (@BCCI) August 15, 2026

Meanwhile, India will become the first Asian team and only the third side after England and Australia to play 600 Tests when the first Test of the two-match series gets underway on August 15, India’s Independence Day.

Earlier, Gill, who took over as India’s Test captain last year, interacted with the media on the eve of the Test match and said the opportunity to lead India in such a significant match made the occasion even more special.

“It’s a very big honour and privilege. Any Test match that you captain for your country is a huge deal. Obviously, leading my country in our 600th Test match is a big honour and privilege for me, and doing that on Independence Day is even more special for us," Gill said at the pre-match press conference.

India are currently fifth in the World Test Championship 2025-27 standings after four wins, four defeats and a draw from nine matches; Gill acknowledged the importance of the Sri Lanka series in India’s bid to reach the final. The second test of the series is also significant for Sri Lanka, who is currently sixth in the WTC standings.

“Obviously, the main goal is to play in the World Test Championship final, which is next year. We have played about nine Tests in this cycle, and I think we have to win around six or seven more to have a good chance at qualifying. In terms of that, I think this is a very important series for us, and we have had the right kind of preparation leading up to it," he said.

India Test Squad: Shubman Gill (c), KL Rahul (vc), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant (wk), Dhruv Jurel (wk), Devdutt Padikkal, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar, Saransh Jain, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Auqib Nabi, Sarfaraz Khan.

Sri Lanka Test Squad: Dhananjaya De Silva (captain), Lahiru Udara, Nishan Madushka, Kamindu Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Sonal Dinusha, Niroshan Dickwella, Ramesh Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Keshara Nuwantha, Milan Rathnayake, Asitha Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa Fernando, and Dilshan Madushanka. (ANI)

(This content is sourced from a syndicated feed and is published as received. The Tribune assumes no responsibility or liability for its accuracy, completeness, or content.)

The Pursuit of Happiness: Finding Ourselves Along the Way

-Darshan Sedani

In the ongoing quest to find ourselves, to discover the limits of our boundaries, and to define — and continually redefine — life’s mojo and goals, we inevitably ask ourselves what makes us unique. As life passes through its continuing turnstile, our identity changes like the shadow of a sundial.

Within a searching mind, your vision is vast; someone inside is waiting to be released. There is an emergence of your worth as you meet your significant self. There is no such thing as imperfection in this place of paradise we know as ‘life’. Just look around us. Nature is always fresh, and the blue skies are never cloudy. With every footstep we take in this world, we leave a colourful path. There is not a single tone of black or grey, but only the bright hue of white.

I believe, somehow, we’ll find it — the balance between whom we wish to be and whom we need to be. All it needs is an honest ear to listen to ourselves.

Life’s trials will test you, shape you and discover you, but don’t let them change who you are. Don’t see and feel the world in black and white; instead, find and embrace its vibrant colours without compromising your own shades.

It’s a paradox we should enjoy embracing. We move through our life journey with bits and pieces of our souls scattered across different time loops and space cracks. You always feel as though you are looking for yourself because the truth is, you actually are. You’re always looking for those bits and pieces of you.

Sometimes, you’ve got to sit down and remember where you left them. You’ve got to quieten all the noise and go back to those loops in time and cracks in space that you forgot about. You need to understand yourself in those moments and embrace yourself. That’s where we will meet our future selves.

Let’s befriend a few skeletons before we find our deepest selves. Let’s make a promise to ourselves: I want to live my life to its fullest potential. I want to embrace my own purpose, however large or small it may be. I want to find my own moments of glory and take positive steps towards becoming the person I am meant to be.

The journey will undoubtedly be a winding one, filled with surprises and setbacks as well as gifts. But I’m ready to embrace it fully, wherever it may take me.

We all live and build our lives based on our own core beliefs and fundamental philosophies about life. The most beautiful thing we are all blessed with is the ability to understand ourselves and find ourselves. For me, what lies before or after us is too small compared with what lies within us.

One of those core life questions is the journey as opposed to the destination. I have always loved and believed in travel and feel blessed that I have never been confused about it. As they say, one has to get lost to find oneself on this journey.

It’s beautiful, but not easy. Being and finding yourself is very hard. Each one of us is a unique individual, blessed with unique skills, talents and gifts. But each of us also longs for acceptance — to feel wanted, needed and understood by others.

Having the courage to be true to ourselves and discover the individual God created us to be usually separates us from the crowd. I believe it separates us because each person feels this gravitational pull to become more significant than the person they are right now — that there is something missing in their life. Sometimes, however, fear holds them back.

This battle is not internal only; it has external challenges too.

When you dare to become what your heart tells you to be, it threatens those around you and challenges them to break away from the crowd. And they don’t always like that. The world tells you that you’re weird, crazy or foolish. The world laughs at you. It tells you that you’re a dreamer and that you should take the easy road.

But the easy road is paved only with failed attempts at numbing yourself to the truth — that until you dare to venture on a journey of self-discovery, your heart will never be satisfied.

Life’s journey is a hard road, but if you stay true to yourself and to the journey God intended for you, contentment awaits. It is always our own self that we find during this quest.

The purpose of life is to truly live it, to taste and feel experiences to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experiences — and embrace them.

You have to get LOST to understand yourself better. It happens when you travel — when you cross oceans and borders.

Be proud of what we did. One has to get lost to discover oneself. Getting lost is part of every journey, but turning that into discovery is in our individual hands.

I’ve learnt that ‘subconscious’ fear limits you and your vision. It always serves as a pair of blinders to what may be just a few steps down the road for you. Of course, the journey is valuable, but believing in your talents, abilities, DNA and self-worth can empower you to walk down an even brighter path.

Transforming fear into freedom — that’s the ultimate happiness.

Happiness cannot be travelled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living and exploring new horizons every minute with love, grace and gratitude.

For me, that’s the pursuit of happiness.

Darshan Sedani is the president and co-founder of Intellimedia Networks.

The post The Pursuit of Happiness: Finding Ourselves Along the Way appeared first on Sports News Portal | Revsportz.

In brief

2036 Olympics માટે PM મોદીની મોટી જાહેરાત, દેશભરમાં યોજાશે વિશાળ ‘પ્રતિભા શોધ’ અભિયાન સ્વતંત્રતાના 80મા વર્ષની ઉજવણી વચ્ચે,વડા પ્રધાન નરેન્દ્ર મોદીએ લાલ કિલ્લાના પ્રાચીર પરથી અનેક મોટી જાહેરાતો કરી.આમાંની એક મોટી જાહેરાત 2036ના ઓલિમ્પિક્સને લગતી હતી.પીએમ મોદીએ જાહેરાત કરી હતી કે2036ના ઓલિમ્પિક્સ માટે રાષ્ટ્રવ્યાપી પ્રતિભા શોધ યોજાશે,અને સરકાર દરેક ગામમાં રમતગમત પ્રતિભા શોધશે.વડા પ્રધાન મોદીએ13મી વખત લા…

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India strong contender for 2036 Olympics; talent hunt to ensure large…