Agreement between Government of India and UNESCO for clean sport values

The Union Ministry of Sports and Ministry of Education have signed an important Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with UNESCO to cultivate values like sports discipline and fairness among students across the country. The main objective of this initiative is to connect education and sports through the 'Sports Values in Every Classroom Toolkit', so that qualities like respect, honesty, and fairness can be developed in children.

According to a PIB report, the exchange of this agreement took place during the 'Clean Sport Conclave' organized by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) India. This agreement emphasizes the need to integrate sports and education, which has also been mentioned in the 'Khelo Bharat Policy 2025'. The video modules of the toolkit prepared under this project will be made available in 13 Indian languages, so that it can reach students in different parts of the country and a strong sports ecosystem can be built.

Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya stated that along with achieving excellence in sports, maintaining its integrity is equally imperative. He said that talent, discipline, and hard work are necessary for success in sports, but integrity, fairness, and reliability are equally important. Dr. Mandaviya highlighted this collaboration, mentioning the government's commitment to bringing sports and education together in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision.

Referring to India's progress in the field of sports, Dr. Mandaviya stated that India securing the fourth position in the Asian Games and Asian Para Games respectively shows the country's growing strength. However, he termed the problem of doping as a serious concern and emphasized the need for continuous efforts in education, testing, and implementation to prevent it. According to Dr. Mandaviya, NADA India conducted more than 7,000 tests during 2025-26 and reached 27,000 participants through more than 350 awareness sessions.

Providing information about facilities to prevent doping cases, Dr. Mandaviya said that supplement testing facilities are available at the National Forensic Science University in Gandhinagar and the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research in Hyderabad, which are helpful in preventing cases of inadvertent doping. Apart from this, he said that the National Anti-Doping Act has come into force this year and the government is preparing to bring provisions in Parliament to criminalize doping-related activities.

Union Education Minister Shri Pralhad Joshi termed this agreement a step towards bridging the long-standing gap between education and sports. He observed that students who excel in studies do not always participate in sports, so it is necessary to increase opportunities at the grassroots level and create pathways for young athletes. Shri Joshi added that through this initiative, sports values will become a part of every child's educational experience and this will foster a culture of fairness and honesty in society.

Director of UNESCO's South Asia Regional Office, Dr. Tim Curtis, termed this partnership a new chapter in UNESCO's relations with India. He said that this model could become a learning experience for other countries as well. Dr. Curtis explained that three fundamental values—respect, honesty, and fairness—are being brought through this toolkit. He further said that teachers play an important role in bringing these values to real life, and whether children play fairly even when no one is watching is the true test of these values.

Secretary of the Department of School Education and Literacy of the Ministry of Education Shri T. K. Anil Kumar, Secretary of the Ministry of Sports Shri Hari Ranjan Rao, and DG of NADA Shri Anant Kumar were also present at the event. In addition, international delegates present at the UNESCO Anti-Doping Convention meetings and Indian international javelin thrower Sachin Yadav were also present on the occasion.