India has taken an important step towards promoting ethical sports education by partnering with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to introduce clean sport values in classrooms across the country.
The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, the Ministry of Education and UNESCO exchanged a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) India’s Clean Sport Conclave in New Delhi.
The initiative will be implemented through the ‘Sports Values in Every Classroom Toolkit’, designed to introduce students to the importance of respect, integrity and fairness through educational resources, sports and everyday classroom activities.

Sports Education to Reach Students in 13 Indian Languages

One of the major highlights of the India–UNESCO partnership is that the toolkit’s video modules will be made available in 13 Indian languages.
This multilingual approach aims to make clean sport education accessible to students across different regions and linguistic backgrounds.
The initiative also aligns with the objectives of Khelo Bharat Niti 2025, which emphasises strengthening the relationship between sports and education.

Mansukh Mandaviya Emphasises Sporting Integrity

Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya highlighted the importance of combining sporting excellence with ethical conduct.
He emphasised that talent, discipline and hard work must go hand in hand with integrity, fairness and credibility.
He also highlighted NADA India’s efforts during 2025–26, when the agency conducted more than 7,000 tests and organised over 350 education and awareness sessions, reaching approximately 27,000 participants.

Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi described the MoU as an important step towards bridging the longstanding gap between education and sports.
He emphasised that sporting values should become an integral part of children’s educational experiences rather than remaining limited to playgrounds and competitions.

Dr. Tim Curtis, Director of UNESCO’s Regional Office for South Asia, welcomed the partnership and highlighted its potential to reach millions of young people.
He stressed that teachers would play a crucial role in translating the toolkit’s principles into everyday classroom practices.

The India–UNESCO partnership represents an effort to introduce sporting ethics at an early age.
By promoting respect, integrity and fairness, the initiative aims to encourage responsible behaviour among students and contribute to a stronger, more transparent sporting ecosystem in India.
The larger message is clear: sporting success should not come at the cost of honesty and fair play.