Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced that India is gearing up to host the 2036 Olympics, demonstrating the country's burgeoning ambitions in the world of sports. This revelation comes as the sports budget for 2023-24 has witnessed a substantial increase, which is three times greater than the allocation made nine years ago.
Prime Minister Modi made this announcement during the inauguration of the 37th National Games at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Margao. He highlighted India's impressive recent successes in the world of sports, particularly at the Asian Games in China, where the country secured a record-breaking 107 medals.
“India is ready to organize the Youth Olympics in 2030 and the Olympics in 2036. Our aspiration to organize the Olympics is not limited to just emotions. Rather, there are some solid reasons behind this," he said.
He said 13 years from now India would be world's leading economic force. "Every India's gross income would be much more. We will have a huge middle class. India's tricolour would be fluttering from sports to space,” the PM maintained.
PM Modi highlighted the government's efforts to create an ecosystem conducive to sporting excellence. He acknowledged that India boasts an extensive pool of sporting talent.
The Prime Minister emphasized that there is no shortage of talent in India and that despite adversity, the country has produced numerous sports champions. He underscored the importance of recognizing and supporting young athletes, stating that students from schools, colleges, and universities are being identified and trained in various sports disciplines, with the government investing in their diet and training.
Modi also commended the impact of initiatives like Khelo India, which supports and trains thousands of youths across the country and offers scholarships to promising athletes. He noted that the development of sports is closely linked to economic growth and that a successful sports story mirrors the overall success story of India.
The National Games, he stated, is not only a celebration of India's sporting prowess but also a symbol of "Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat" (One India, Great India), demonstrating unity and excellence. Modi praised the preparations made by the Goa government and its people for organizing the National Games, highlighting the positive impact on tourism and the economy.
The National Games, which commenced on October 26 and will run until November 9, features over 10,000 athletes participating in more than 43 sports disciplines across 28 venues in Goa. The Prime Minister, along with Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur and other dignitaries, inaugurated this prestigious sporting event.
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(With PTI inputs)