India is stepping up its game on the global sporting stage, with ambitions to host the 2036 Olympics and, at the same time, secure its position among the top 10 nations on the medals tally. Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya made this bold declaration during the Viksit Bharat Ambassador - Yuva Connect initiative held at SP College.
Highlighting the government's vision, Mandaviya pledged to transform India’s sports sector as part of the overall development strategy. The goal is not merely about hosting the grand event but using it as a catalyst to nurture world-class athletes capable of delivering exceptional performances on the world stage.
“Our aim is to make India one of the top five sports nations by 2047,” Mandaviya stated, emphasizing the need for comprehensive development strategies to support sporting talent. The government is putting its faith behind programs like Khelo India, which aims to identify and nurture young sports talents across the country.
Launched with the intent to introduce more youngsters to sports, the Khelo India initiative is already bearing fruit. It has successfully identified over 100,000 promising athletes, providing them with special assistance under the Targeted Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS). This plan includes funding for training, nutritional support, and exposure to international competitions, pairing them with top coaches to hone their skills.
Highlighting examples of success from initiatives like Khelo India, Mandaviya referenced Swapnil Kusale, who recently excelled at the Paris Olympics, bringing home a bronze medal. The minister's confidence resonates with the recent performance of Indian athletes at the Tokyo and Paris Games, which saw the nation securing six Olympic medals, with eight athletes finishing just shy of podium positions.
India's participation extended to the Paralympics as well, where the country showed marked improvement by winning 29 medals, compared to 19 during the last iteration. Such achievements signal the positive direction of the country’s sports programs and highlight the potential for future success.
The Viksit Bharat Ambassador - Yuva Connect initiative, recently unfolded from Pune, seeks to engage youth from colleges across Maharashtra. The government, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the helm, is bringing strategies aimed strategically at fostering youth participation, ensuring their voices and efforts contribute toward building what they envision as a developed India.
“We are focused on creating opportunities,” stated Mandaviya, underscoring the efforts to catalyze India's path to hosting the Olympics by launching initiatives like Khelo India. The importance of engaging students and young athletes is at the heart of India’s strategy. The government plans to involve young people through platforms like the My Bharat Portal, allowing them to contribute to national development.
Mandaviya's vision didn’t stop at the Olympics; he also envisions India as being among the top five sports nations by 2047, reinforcing the government’s commitment to youth and sports development. It is clear the focus is not just on immediate goals but also on laying the groundwork for sustainable success and fostering sports talents for generations to come.
The groundwork being laid now is not only for hosting the Olympics but also for elevatory success at future international competitions. By investing heavily in grassroots sports, the government aims to cultivate talents who can shine against the backdrop of world-class competitions.
With India gearing up for the 2036 Games, the spotlight will train itself on how well the country can integrate these ambitious plans with successful operational models borrowed from previous Olympic hosts. Collaboration and sharing of expertise with countries like France, who recently hosted the Paris 2024 Olympics, could yield important insights for India’s preparations.
Recent discussions have already begun with international partners and countries experienced with organizing major sporting events. Learning from successful models may not only help circumvent potential pitfalls but could also offer strategies to maximize the impact of hosting the Games locally.
With unprecedented participation and emphasis on athlete development, Mandaviya and his team are setting the stage for what they hope will be India’s grand entry as host of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. It’s about creating opportunities, fostering talent, and developing infrastructure, all of which will contribute to establishing India as not just a host nation, but as formidable competitors on the worlds’ sports stage.
The ambition to host the 2036 Olympics and to feature prominently on the medals tally showcases India’s mounting confidence and commitment to uplifting sports culture. With plans laid out and programs already operational, the groundwork for what could be India’s monumental sporting moment is being constructed, indicating the potential for exciting developments in the years to come.
