India’s Ambitious Journey Towards Hosting and Excelling in the 2036 Olympics

India is making significant strides in its quest to host the 2036 Olympics, a goal that Prime Minister Narendra Modi passionately articulated during his recent visit to New York. Addressing a gathering of expatriate Indians at the Nassau Coliseum, Modi emphasized that India’s development is now a people’s movement, driven by the collective will and effort of its citizens. He portrayed India as a land brimming with opportunities, a nation that proactively creates possibilities rather than waiting for them. Over the past decade, the country has lifted 25 crore people out of poverty, a testament to its rapid socio-economic progress. Hosting the Olympics is seen as a natural extension of this forward-looking policy, reflecting India’s relentless pursuit of progress and excellence across all sectors.

Modi’s vision for the 2036 Olympics is not just about hosting the games but also about excelling in them. Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya echoed this sentiment during his speech at a college in Pune, part of the ‘Viksit Bharat Ambassador – Yuva Connect’ initiative. Mandaviya highlighted India’s ambition to be among the top five sports nations by 2047, with a special focus on developing world-class athletes. This vision aligns with India’s broader goal of becoming a leading nation in all fields, including sports. The recently concluded Paris Olympics, where India won six medals (five bronze and one silver), marked the country’s best performance to date. However, both Modi and Mandaviya stressed that this is just the beginning, and India aims for even greater success in future Olympic Games.

The ‘One Maharashtra, One Goal’ initiative, launched by the Stairs Foundation and led by independent MLC Satyajeet Tambe, is a critical component of India’s Olympic aspirations. This initiative is part of the broader ‘One India, One Goal’ program, aimed at developing grassroots sports and empowering young athletes across Maharashtra. Tambe envisions a 12-year movement leading up to the 2036 Olympics, with the ultimate goal of surpassing all previous performances. Despite India’s impressive history in hockey, which accounts for 13 of its 41 Olympic medals, Tambe believes that the 2036 Olympics should set new benchmarks for Indian sports. The initiative aims to establish sports clubs in 42,000 villages in Maharashtra, providing young talent with the necessary platforms, training, and development opportunities to excel in various sports.

The economic aspect of sports in India is also undergoing a transformation. The sports economy, currently valued at around Rs 70,000 crore, is predominantly concentrated in tier-1 cities. The ‘One Maharashtra, One Goal’ initiative seeks to decentralize this concentration by promoting non-cricket sports and scouting talent from rural areas. District-level matches are scheduled to begin in September 2024, culminating in the state youth games in December. The Stairs Foundation plans to appoint notable athletes and influential personalities from Maharashtra as brand ambassadors to inspire and mentor young athletes. Under Tambe’s leadership, the foundation aims to make Maharashtra a key player in India’s mission to foster a robust sports culture and achieve Olympic success.

The concept of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India) and ‘Viksit Bharat’ (developed India) proposed by Prime Minister Modi is integral to India’s Olympic ambitions. Lok Sabha MP Anurag Singh Thakur believes that this vision will liberate the country from a ‘slavery mindset’ and empower it to achieve greatness. Speaking at the MIT World Peace University College in Pune, Thakur emphasized the importance of educating and empowering the youth to contribute to India’s development. The ‘Viksit Bharat Ambassador – Yuva Connect’ program, held at various colleges in Maharashtra, aims to instill a sense of responsibility and ambition among students. Thakur’s interactive session with students underscored the need for a self-reliant and developed India, which he believes will change the country’s mindset and propel it towards achieving its Olympic goals.

A national conference on ‘Mission Olympics 2036’ is set to take place on September 27 at the Sports University of Haryana. This conference, inaugurated by Olympic gold medalist Neeraj Chopra and concluded by Haryana Governor Bandaru Dattatreya, aims to lay the foundation for India’s journey towards winning 70 medals in the 2036 Olympics. The conference will bring together eminent sportspersons, officials from the Sports Authority of India, sports journalists, administrators, and representatives from the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and private entrepreneurs involved in sports. The discussions will focus on bridging the gap between India’s current tally of seven medals and the ambitious target of 70, exploring strategies to achieve this goal and the role of central and state governments in promoting sports.

The Sports University of Haryana, which is organizing the conference, aims to provide a platform for open discussions on India’s Olympic journey. Vice-Chancellor Ashok Kumar expressed hope that the conference would result in concrete plans and strategies to propel India towards better performance in international sports events. The conference will also identify areas where India needs to improve to achieve the target of 70 medals. This initiative reflects India’s commitment to creating a supportive environment that encourages participation, excellence, and inclusivity in sports, ultimately making India a dominant force in the international sports arena.

Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya’s vision of India being among the top five global sports nations is gaining momentum. Speaking at the ‘Rising with Kindness’ youth summit in Hyderabad, Mandaviya highlighted the importance of kindness and compassion in driving holistic progress. The summit, attended by over 10,000 students and youth from across the country, was organized by Heartfulness in collaboration with various organizations. Mandaviya discussed the Keerti project, which aims to empower students in schools to participate in sports and gain international exposure. The government is keen to hear ideas and thoughts from the youth to ensure comprehensive development, with a particular focus on creating an ecosystem that encourages sports participation in schools.

India’s top badminton player, P V Sindhu, also addressed the summit, sharing how meditation has helped her build mental strength and resilience. Heartfulness guide Kamlesh D Patel, known as Daaji, emphasized the importance of tapping into the heart to develop qualities like kindness, love, compassion, and courage. The three-day event aimed to spread the message of kindness and compassion among the youth, promoting mental resilience and well-being. Mandaviya believes that India’s progress in sports will significantly contribute to the country’s overall development, aligning with the broader vision of making India a leading nation in all sectors, including sports.

The collaborative efforts of various stakeholders, including the government, sports organizations, and private entrepreneurs, are crucial to achieving India’s Olympic goals. The involvement of eminent sportspersons, sports academicians, and influential personalities in initiatives like ‘One Maharashtra, One Goal’ and ‘Mission Olympics 2036’ underscores the collective commitment to nurturing talent and fostering a robust sports culture. The focus on grassroots development, talent scouting, and providing training and development opportunities is essential to building a strong foundation for future Olympic success. As India continues to invest in its sports sector, the vision of hosting and excelling in the 2036 Olympics becomes increasingly attainable.

India’s journey towards hosting the 2036 Olympics is not just about infrastructure and logistics; it is about creating a culture of excellence and inclusivity in sports. The emphasis on grassroots development, empowering young athletes, and promoting non-cricket sports reflects a holistic approach to achieving Olympic success. Initiatives like ‘One Maharashtra, One Goal’ aim to decentralize the sports economy and provide opportunities for talent from rural areas, ensuring that the benefits of sports development reach every corner of the country. This inclusive approach is critical to building a diverse and talented pool of athletes capable of competing at the highest levels.

The role of education in India’s Olympic journey cannot be overstated. Programs like ‘Viksit Bharat Ambassador – Yuva Connect’ aim to educate and empower the youth, instilling a sense of responsibility and ambition. By fostering a mindset of self-reliance and development, these programs prepare the next generation to contribute to India’s Olympic aspirations. The involvement of educational institutions in promoting sports and encouraging student participation is essential to creating a sustainable sports culture. As students engage in sports and physical activities, they develop essential life skills such as discipline, teamwork, and resilience, which are crucial for their overall development and success.

India’s ambitious journey towards hosting and excelling in the 2036 Olympics is a testament to the country’s commitment to progress and excellence. The collaborative efforts of the government, sports organizations, educational institutions, and private entrepreneurs reflect a shared vision of making India a dominant force in the international sports arena. As the country continues to invest in its sports sector, focusing on grassroots development, talent scouting, and providing training opportunities, the dream of hosting and excelling in the 2036 Olympics becomes increasingly attainable. With a collective will and unwavering determination, India is poised to achieve its Olympic goals and emerge as a leading nation in global sports.