- Tuesday, April 30, 2024
Modi revealed India’s ambition to host the world’s biggest sporting event during the International Olympic Council’s Congress held in Mumbai last year, stating that the government would not leave any stone unturned to make it a reality.
By: Shubham Ghosh
INDIAN prime minister Narendra Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have made a plethora of promises in their manifesto for the upcoming general elections starting Friday (19), and among them is the pledge to see the country hosting the Olympic Games in 2036.
The party document, titled Modi Ki Guarantee (Modi’s Guarantee), said in its promises for sports development, “We will facilitate IOA to bid for hosting the Olympic Games in 2036, and develop sports infrastructure like stadiums and state-of-the-art training centres to host major international sporting events.”
Modi revealed India’s ambition to host the world’s biggest sporting event during the International Olympic Council’s (IOC) Congress held in Mumbai last year, stating that the government would not leave any stone unturned in getting the Games to the country for the first time.
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India has so far organised sporting events such as Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and junior FIFA World Cup but not the Olympic Games. Its Asian rival China has hosted the mega sporting show once, in 2008.
“India is eager to host the Olympics in the country. India will leave no stone unturned in the preparation for the successful organization of the Olympics in 2036. This is the dream of the 140 crore Indians,” he told the IOC delegates and expressed hope that the council will support India in its endeavour.
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India is also eyeing to host the Youth Olympic Games of 2029.
While the Indian PM did not reveal the name of the probable host city, it is believed that Ahmedabad in his home state of Gujarat is a front runner.
In March, Gujarat Samachar reported that an action plan was being prepared to make the city a strong contender for both the Youth Olympics and Summer Olympics.
Gujarat chief minister Bhupendra Patel chaired a high-level meeting with ministers and other officials over the same. Work has reportedly started in villages adjoining the city to build infrastructure for the mega show and local civic authorities and various non-governmental organisations extended helping hands.
The Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sports Enclave – which is also home to Modi’s eponymous stadium – is projected as one of the main venue clusters for the Games. The venue hosted the final of the ICC cricket world cup in November last year.
Several countries, including Indonesia and Turkey, are in the fray to bid for the 2036 Olympics and to bag the rights beating other nations, India will have to deliver impeccable planning and capacity to satisfy the world body.
The IOC considers various elements including the funding strategy of the candidate city, its capability to host the Games, transportation infrastructure, accommodation capacity, how well venues fit with local development goals, socio-economic and geopolitical aspects, as well as public backing.
It is learnt that India had written to the International Olympic Committee about its intention to host the Games, even before the IOC session was held.
The 2024 Olympic Games will be held in Paris; the 2028 Games will be held in Los Angeles and the 2032 edition will be held in Brisbane.
