Prime Minister Narendra Modi not only reiterated India’s interest in hosting the 2036 Olympics during his Independence Day speech from the Red Fort in New Delhi on Saturday, but also announced a nationwide sports talent hunt.Prime Minister Narendra Modi looks on during the 8oth Independence Day (@narendramodi)PM Modi stressed the need to widen India’s Olympic footprint by identifying and developing talent in sports and events where the country has traditionally had little or no presence.“There are around 40 sports at the Olympics, with around 325 to 350 events. You will be saddened to know, my fellow countrymen, my young people, I challenge you, I appeal to you, I seek your help: India does not participate in even two-thirds of these sports. We are not present; we do not qualify,” he said."We have decided that the 2036 Olympics should be held in India. But in 2036, in the disciplines in which India does not play today, in the disciplines in which India does not qualify, in the events that India has left aside, three-fourths of them are waiting for us. India will focus on them, and for this, we are also running a talent identification campaign.If we need athletes for 2036, then today, a talent hunt campaign will be conducted from village to village, city to city, school to school, to identify sporting talent. We have to focus on the children between the ages of five and fifteen, on our daughters. Their abilities will be assessed, and they will then receive specialised training to develop them into good athletes who can represent the country."India is hosting the 2030 CWG in Ahmedabad, which is also in the race to host the 2036 Olympics.The Prime Minister also said the government's flagship Target Olympic Podium Scheme, which was launched in 2014, has been a major success in providing support to athletes."India is making space for itself in the world of sports. We hear our national anthem frequently and see our tri-colour going up very often. TOPS has achieved great success. Whether it is Khelo India Games, University Games, Beach Games, Winter Games, or sports training, sports medicine, sports nutrition, India is moving ahead at great pace," he said. "India's performance is improving, and we are strong contenders to become an Olympic host in 2036. We are hosting the CWG in 2030."India finished the recent Commonwealth Games with 39 medals - 13 gold, 17 silver and nine bronze - and was fourth in the standings. Despite competing in a significantly reduced programme that excluded traditional medal-rich sports such as wrestling, badminton, table tennis, hockey and shooting, India managed to make their mark at the Games, with a record showing in Boxing, Judo, weightlifting and para sports.India is currently preparing for the Asian Games , which will take place in the Aichi Prefecture and the city of Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4.More to follow...