Monday, August 17, 2026
News

80th Independence Day: Sooryavanshi, Sreejesh, Bhaker extend greetings to nation

SocialTwist Tell-a-Friend    Print this Page   COMMENT

New Delhi | August 15, 2026 3:28:36 PM IST
Young Indian batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, former Olympic medallist hockey legend PR Sreejesh and double Olympic medallist shooter Manu Bhaker extended greetings to the nation on the 80th Independence Day.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday reiterated India's ambition to host the 2036 Olympics and announced a nationwide talent hunt to identify sporting talent among children aged five to 15 years, while addressing the nation on the occasion of the 80th Independence Day.

Posting on his X, Sooryavanshi put out a montage of some of India's cricket's most iconic moments, such as the ICC Cricket World Cup wins in 1983 and 2011, the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy win, and the 2024 T20 World Cup win, among others, featuring the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, etc.

Bhaker also posted her picture with the Indian flag, wishing everyone a happy Independence Day.

PR Sreejesh, one of India's most illustrious hockey players and goalkeepers, also posted on his X, "Proud of our past, committed to our future. Jai Hind! Happy Independence Day!"

https://x.com/16Sreejesh/status/2088520424443326651

Addressing the nation from the iconic Red Fort on Saturday, PM Modi said India's performance in sports has been improving, and the country is moving forward as a strong contender to bid for the 2036 Olympics.

Highlighting the scope of the Olympic Games, the Prime Minister said there are around 40 sports and nearly 325-350 events, but India does not participate or qualify in nearly two-thirds of them. "In 2030, India is also going to host the Commonwealth Games," PM Modi said.

"We have decided that the Olympics 2036 should be held in India. In the disciplines in which India does not play or qualify, India will focus on these disciplines, and we will launch a talent hunt campaign," he added. PM Modi said India needs to identify and nurture young talent in preparation for the 2036 Olympics, particularly children who are currently five, 10 or 15 years old. "We have to pay attention to our sons and daughters. Therefore, a talent hunt campaign will be conducted in every village, every city and every school to identify sporting talent among children aged five to 15," he said.

The Prime Minister said the identified talent would be provided specialised training to prepare them to represent the country at the highest level.

"Their talent will be identified, and, after providing them specialised training, they will be prepared to become good players representing the country," PM Modi said. (ANI)

 
  LATEST COMMENTS ()
POST YOUR COMMENT
Comments Not Available
 
POST YOUR COMMENT
 
 
TRENDING TOPICS
 
 
CITY NEWS
MORE CITIES
 
 
 
MORE SPORTS NEWS
'Never imagined I would meet President M...
APL: Ayushman Malakar's captains innings...
5th ODI: Rahmat's 143*, Atal's 98 guide ...
DPL: Tejasvi Dahiya smashes 60 in 29 bal...
BK Hariprasad, Rizwan Arshad flag off 'R...
Special I-Day edition of Fit India Sunda...
More...
 
INDIA WORLD ASIA
Bihar: Prashant Kishor demands probe int...
Chhattisgarh: Tricolour hoisted for firs...
IWAI hosts 4th 'Brahmaputra Calling' Ope...
Karnataka: FIR filed against forest offi...
VP Radhakrishnan interacts with school s...
'Will take action in Hanur shootout case...
More...    
 
 Top Stories
From Times Square to Seattle: India... 
Karnataka food safety officials rai... 
Rajnath Singh pays floral tributes ... 
"Fiery parliamentarian, powerful or... 
India's growth story broadens as ba... 
"Statesman, poet and visionary": VP... 
Earthquake of magnitude 3.5 strikes... 
Special I-Day edition of Fit India ...