New Delhi [India]: Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya chaired a two-day Chintan Shivir at Kanha Shanti Vanam in Telangana to strategize India’s preparations for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics and strengthen its bid to host the 2036 Summer Olympics. The event gathered sports ministers from various States/UTs, senior sports administrators, key government officials, and domain experts to exchange ideas and craft a roadmap for India’s emergence as a global sports powerhouse.
Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, Raksha Khadse, was also present during the discussions.
Mandaviya’s Vision: Hosting the 2036 Olympics in India
Mandaviya emphasized that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has envisioned India hosting the 2036 Olympics and called on states to actively contribute to turning this ambition into reality.
He stated:
“Chintan Shivir is an initiative guided by the Prime Minister’s vision of good governance. This forum allows us to collaborate and take forward our dream of hosting the Olympics.”
Key Focus Areas Discussed: Talent, Infrastructure, and Governance
The Chintan Shivir facilitated dialogue on several critical areas:
- Talent Identification and Coaching:
- Emphasis was placed on a scientific approach to identify young athletes, especially between the ages of 9 and 14, and nurture them for long-term Olympic preparation.
- Mandaviya stressed the importance of a national athlete repository with unique IDs to track and support young talent effectively.
- Impact of Khelo India Initiative:
- Over 2,800 Khelo India academies have been established, with 937 out of 1,045 Khelo India Centres operational.
- New initiatives under Khelo India, including beach games, water sports, and indigenous games, were announced to boost regional participation.
- Infrastructure Development:
- Focus on optimizing the utilization of sports infrastructure across States, PSUs, Ministries, and the private sector.
- Proposal to establish District-Level Sports Schools (DLSSs) by upgrading existing schools to improve grassroots-level talent scouting and training.
- Sports Governance:
- Discussions highlighted the need for transparency in National Sports Federations to ensure fair selection processes.
- An athlete-centric governance model was advocated to build trust among parents and encourage children to pursue sports careers.
A Collaborative Approach for a Sporting Powerhouse
Mandaviya articulated that achieving the vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047 demands a structured and collaborative approach towards sports development. He acknowledged that while sports is a State subject, a unified national effort is essential to position India as a formidable sporting nation.
He stated:
“Making India a Viksit Bharat by 2047 requires a well-structured and collaborative approach towards sports. While sports is a State subject, a unified effort is essential to position India as a formidable sporting nation.”
Cultural Programs and Meditation for Focus and Team Spirit
The participants also engaged in a meditation session led by Padma Bhushan Daaji to foster mindfulness and focus. The evening concluded with a cultural program showcasing India’s rich heritage through traditional music, dance, and artistic performances.
Summary: A Comprehensive Strategy for India’s Olympic Dream
The Chintan Shivir reflected the government’s holistic approach to sports development—spanning talent identification, infrastructure enhancement, governance transparency, and grassroots empowerment—all geared towards transforming India into a global sporting powerhouse by the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics and eventually hosting the 2036 Summer Olympics.