Bhaichung Bhutia advocates for sports-focused education system

At the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue 2025, former Indian footballer Bhaichung Bhutia shared his thoughts on advancing sports in India, emphasizing the need for greater synergy between the Education and Sports Ministries.


Bhutia highlighted that the program provided a platform for young leaders to exchange ideas on propelling sports forward in the country. 

During the dialogue, Bhutia suggested that the education system should better support talented children by offering more time and opportunities to pursue sports at the global level. He proposed the establishment of sports schools, which would offer a balanced curriculum combining sports and academics, with the aim of nurturing young talent across various states.

In discussing India's prospects in the AFC Asian Cup, Bhutia reflected on the country's regular qualification since the end of a 24-year drought under his captaincy. While he acknowledged that the current group is not particularly tough, he emphasized that it would not be easy.


Bhutia stressed the importance of hard work and expressed confidence in India's chances of qualifying, warning that failure to do so would severely impact the progress of Indian football.


Also read: Manipur set to compete in 21 events at the 38th National Games 2025 in Uttarakhand