Archive · 27 Aug 2026
Modi Praises Fauja Singh, Links Sports With India’s Future
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to young people about why sports and fitness matter.
He praised Fauja Singh as a powerful example of loving sports throughout life.
Singh was believed to be the oldest marathon runner and ran a marathon when he was 100.
Singh died last year at the age of 114.
Modi said sports are becoming an important career in India.
He also said more people are joining races, triathlons, pickleball and badminton.
Modi wants schools and families to treat sports as important, not just as an extra activity.
He said young people’s participation in sports can help India’s future.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Fauja Singh during a virtual address to Indian youth.
Modi described Singh’s lifelong commitment to sports and fitness as an inspiration.
Singh was believed to be the oldest marathon runner and competed in a marathon at age 100.
Modi said sports are increasingly becoming a profession and part of everyday life in India.
He urged young people to value sports centres and playgrounds alongside education and technology.
- Who
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Indian youth; Fauja Singh was cited as an example.
- What
- Modi promoted sports, fitness and youth participation while praising Fauja Singh’s sporting life.
- When
- On Thursday; the address also referred to Singh’s death last year.
- Where
- During a virtual Khelo India Dialogue address to the nation’s youth in India.
- Why
- To emphasise the connection between sports, fitness, quality of life and India’s future.
- Speaker
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi
- Event
- Khelo India Dialogue, also referred to as Khelo India Samvad
- Example cited
- Fauja Singh
- Singh’s marathon age
- 100 years
- Singh’s age at death
- 114 years
- Sports examples mentioned
- Triathlons, 5K and 10K races, pickleball and badminton
- Main message
- Sports should be part of daily life, education and career planning