India's bid to host the 2036 Olympic Games has received a significant boost, with International Olympic Committee (IOC) Future Host Commission member Andrew Parsons expressing optimism about the country's chances. Parsons highlighted India's "very good momentum as a nation" due to its economic growth and progress in the sporting arena. He also acknowledged the strong commitment and support from the central government, particularly Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Parsons, who is also the chief of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), noted that India has had "a very good start" in the bidding process. He emphasized the importance of having the backing of the country's leader, drawing from his experience with the 2016 Rio Olympics in Brazil. Modi had revealed India's ambition to host the Games during the IOC Congress in Mumbai two years ago, pledging that his administration would "leave no stone unturned" to bring the event to the country for the first time.
India officially entered the race to host the 2036 Summer Olympics and Paralympic Games, with Ahmedabad, Gujarat, named as the candidate city. An Indian delegation, including representatives from the union sports ministry, the Gujarat government, and Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president PT Usha, met with IOC officials in Lausanne to formally present Ahmedabad's bid. IOA president PT Usha has expressed her vision that the Olympic Games in India would have a generational impact for all Indians. The bid emphasizes providing young Indians the opportunity to experience the Olympics at home and promoting global unity.
However, India faces competition from other nations, including Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Turkey, and Chile. The IOC has also paused the host selection process for review due to concerns about member involvement. Moreover, the IOC has flagged concerns regarding governance issues within the IOA, the prevalence of doping, and India's Olympic performance. In the Paris Games last year, India finished in 71st place with only six medals. The IOC has communicated that the IOA must address these issues before serious discussions about hosting the Olympics can occur. Since October 2024, the IOC has withheld athlete welfare grants to the Indian body due to administrative issues.
Despite these challenges, India is actively working to improve its sports infrastructure and create a conducive environment for hosting the Olympics. The government has launched initiatives such as the Khelo India Scheme to develop sports infrastructure at the grassroots level. The Sports Ministry introduced an incentivization structure in 2020 to extend monetary support to 500 private academies, through the Khelo India Scheme. The Khelo India Scheme is a flagship initiative of the Government, which aims at creation and upgradation of sports infrastructure, including creation of hubs for sports excellence. As of July 2022, around INR 17 billion are spent on sports by the Indian Government.
The development of sports infrastructure in India is witnessing a transformation due to technological advancements, ecological initiatives, and increased investments. Public-private partnerships (PPPs) are playing a significant role in building sports infrastructure. Green building materials, solar power, rainwater harvesting, and energy-efficient lighting solutions are being incorporated into stadiums and training facilities. Ahmedabad is emerging as a sports city with world-class infrastructure, including the Narendra Modi Stadium, the largest cricket stadium in the world.
While India has made significant progress in developing its sports infrastructure, challenges remain, including the lack of maintenance of existing facilities and the need to promote sports engagement at the grassroots level. Despite infrastructural development and expected growth, only about 6% of India's population actively participates in sports, which is significantly lower compared to approximately 20% in other countries.
India's global sporting ambitions are revolutionizing infrastructure provision and investment. The fact that India is looking to host events such as the Olympics points to the requirement of state-of-the-art facilities in the country. Property developers in India are launching sports-centric townships integrating amenities such as golf courses, rooftop courts, cricket grounds and multi-purpose arenas.
