Sports Values in Every Classroom: Centre, UNESCO Sign MoU to Integrate Sports Education and Promote Fair Play

The Union Ministries of Youth Affairs and Sports and Education have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to promote clean sport and strengthen the integration of sports and education across India. The partnership will be implemented through the 'Sports Values in Every Classroom Toolkit', an initiative designed to introduce students to the principles of respect, integrity, fairness and ethical conduct through educational activities, sports and everyday classroom interactions. The agreement was exchanged on Wednesday at the Clean Sport Conclave organised by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) India. The toolkit will include video-based learning modules in 13 Indian languages, enabling students from different linguistic backgrounds to access the educational material and helping establish a stronger, more inclusive and transparent sporting ecosystem in the country.

Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya and Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi reaffirmed the importance of bringing sports and education closer together through the initiative. The partnership also aligns with the broader vision outlined in Khelo Bharat Niti 2025, which emphasises the importance of strengthening India's sporting ecosystem and expanding opportunities for participation in sports.

Several senior officials and representatives attended the MoU exchange ceremony at the NADA India Clean Sport Conclave. Those present included Tim Curtis, Director of UNESCO's Regional Office for South Asia; TK Anil Kumar, Secretary of the Department of School Education; Hari Ranjan Rao, Secretary of the Department of Sports; and Anant Kumar, Director General of NADA. International javelin thrower Sachin Yadav also participated in the event, highlighting the involvement of sporting professionals in discussions on clean sport and the importance of maintaining integrity in competitive athletics.

Joshi described the MoU as an important step towards bridging the longstanding gap between education and sports in India. He observed that students who perform well academically do not necessarily participate in sporting activities, highlighting the need to create stronger links between classroom learning and opportunities for physical activity. The education minister stressed the importance of expanding grassroots-level participation and developing better pathways for young people who wish to pursue sports.

Curtis described the agreement as a new chapter in UNESCO's partnership with India and highlighted its potential to reach millions of young people. He indicated that the initiative could also serve as a model for other countries seeking to incorporate sports values and clean competition principles into their education systems.