IOA Athletes Commission takes first step towards empowering Indian athletes
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New Indian Express
25 minutes ago
- New Indian Express
Another major step in positive direction for IOA
CHENNAI: The Indian Olympic Association finally held its Special General Meeting where most of the National Sports Federation and State Association members were present on Wednesday. The meeting held at the IOA Bhavan assumes significance because for the first time all stakeholders of the IOA including the warring Executive Committee members were present under one roof and without any cacophony. The entire meeting lasted for half an hour. This is another step towards the normalisation process after the ratification of CEO's appointment that was stalled in January 2024. Another major development was the first in-person Athletes Commission meeting held on August 7. The International Olympic Committee had taken into account the in-fighting between majority EC members and IOA president PT Usha and suspended its funding including Olympic Solidarity Funds. The factions buried their hatchet last month and agreed to work together as India looks forward to hosting the Commonwealth Games in 2030 and then the Olympic Games 2036. The official nod of the IOA was important as they are Commonwealth Games Association India representatives and to get major government approvals this is mandatory. The all important bid committee is yet to be formed but that too will eventually be finalised soon. As of now the delegations from Gujarat, officials from the Union sports ministry, IOA chief and the CEO have taken part in various discussions with the Commonwealth Canada reluctant, India are in a good position to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. Even in 2026, Glasgow had to be brought in after all nations including Australia (the original bidder) and later Malaysia walked away because of rising costs, despite CS agreeing to offer 100 million pounds to offset the costs. India too was approached but did not want to host. Ahmedabad has been projected as the host city in the letter of intent submitted in March 2025. The city has already spent crores in sports infrastructure and without a major event the venues might be put to great use.
Hindustan Times
4 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
India to bid for 2030 CWG, bring back its top sports
New Delhi:The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) formally approved the country's bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad during its special general meeting on Wednesday. In its bid, India will back a full-fledged sports programme and include their key medal-winning disciplines that were dropped in the truncated edition in Glasgow 2026. Indian Olympic Association President PT Usha. (PTI) The bid, which is being prepared in collaboration with Commonwealth Sport, is likely to be submitted by August 31. After Victoria declined to host the 2026 edition citing spiralling costs, Glasgow came in as hosts with a truncated sports programme due to budget constraints. The number of sports has been reduced from 20 in Birmingham 2022 to 10 in Glasgow 2026. Hockey, badminton, archery, shooting, wrestling, table tennis and women's cricket — most of the disciplines where India's chances of winning a medal is high — were dropped. While these sports are likely to make a return in 2030 — the number of disciplines could be between 17 and 20 — India plans to choose a programme that also showcases its ambition to host the 2036 Olympics, said IOA officials in the know of things. 'We are confident that we will put up a strong bid for CWG 2030. As hosts we will get the importance in terms of choosing the sport but it will be a collaborative approach with the Commonwealth Sport,' IOA president PT Usha told HT. A CW Sport delegation recently visited Ahmedabad and were satisfied with the ongoing work in infrastructure. They have given inputs in terms of budget, keeping the sustainability factor in mind, accommodation, transportation and timelines to follow. CW Sport is also looking to attract youngsters and India's vast youth population is a major attraction. 'They have visited our facilities in Ahmedabad, Odisha and some other places. The idea is to have as many sports in which India can do well, but we have to work together with the CW Sport in this direction,' said IOA CEO Raghuram Iyer. There is a possibility that one or two sports might be held in other cities depending on the infrastructure but the idea of hosting all sports in a close cluster will be the primary aim, said IOA officials aware of the development. Lt Gen Harpal Singh (Retd), a member of the IOA executive committee and the Sports Committee of CW Sport, noted that the Glasgow Games are an exception, driven by the time constraints following Victoria's withdrawal. 'To secure a host within such a limited time frame was a challenge, and it led to the truncated sports programme in Glasgow,' Singh said. 'Looking ahead, there will be a set of 'Core Sports' along with 'Optional and Additional Sports' approved by CW Sport in consultation with the host city, taking into account the legacy, sustainability of the Games beyond 2030,' Singh told HT. 'The final programme will be announced after the host city is confirmed — possibly at the CW Sport AGM in November this year.' 'All sports that were excluded in Glasgow will be open for discussion, every bidding nation seeks to do that. As we are also bidding for the 2036 Olympics, it is important to demonstrate to the world that we are not only prepared to host sports in which we are traditionally strong, but also capable of delivering events that enjoy global popularity. This will significantly enhance our credibility.' Ahmedabad, meanwhile is developing its infrastructure. The Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sports Enclave in Motera spanning 300 acres around the Narendra Modi Stadium, is under development and will feature 10 new stadiums with permanent and temporary venues for sports such as gymnastics, skateboarding, softball and tennis. At the Gujarat Police Academy in Karai, a 143-acre site is being transformed into a sports hub. This includes an athletics stadium and facility for hosting Rugby 7s and football. An indoor multipurpose arena is being built for weightlifting, alongside an integrated sports shooting centre. In Ahmedabad's Naranpura area, a completed sports complex, ready to open soon, will host international competitions, featuring an aquatics facility, an indoor multi-sports arena, a centre for Sports Excellence, and a Community Sports Centre for sports such as aquatics, badminton, squash, table tennis, basketball and volleyball. At Sanskardham educational institute, infrastructure is being developed for combat sports, said people in the know of things. With inputs from Maulik Pathak in Ahmedabad
NDTV
5 hours ago
- NDTV
IOA Hoping To Get Back Withheld Olympic Solidarity Grant From IOC
Having overcome an internal feud, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) is now hoping to get back the Olympic Solidarity grant, which was withheld last year by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for infighting within the national apex sports body. The IOC's Executive Board on October 8 last year stopped the grant meant for athlete development programmes in the wake of an acrimonious meeting of the IOA on September 26, 2024 in which 12 Executive Council members refused to ratify the appointment of Raghuram Iyer as the sports body's CEO. But now that the house has been put in order, IOA President PT Usha is hoping that the IOC would release the grant soon. A Special General Body Meeting (SGM) as well as Executive Council meeting was smoothly conducted on Wednesday after a truce was called on July 24 between Usha and the revolting EC members who were in majority. "The IOC will be happy that we are working together. We have done a lot of things now, and we will meet again," Usha told PTI on the sidelines of the IOA SGM called to approve India's 2030 Commonwealth Games bid. "Whatever they have (IOC) withheld, that we are going to get now. They withheld our Olympic Solidarity grant. We were waiting for the SGM. We will give the report to them and then they will release the money. "That (Olympic Solidarity) is not a small amount, it is Rs 15 crore. We will get it." Olympic Solidarity provides assistance to all National Olympic Committees (NOCs), a share of the broadcast rights from the Olympic Games which is to be used for athlete development programmes. Through Olympic Solidarity, athletes can benefit from scholarships and subsidies, enabling them to train and qualify for the Olympic Games. The IOC had withhold the grant to the IOA after it received allegations and counter-allegations from various parties relating to the "unfortunate situation" in the IOA. If India gets to host 2030 CWG, it will be tech-driven with use of AI The IOA General Body unanimously approved India's bid for the 2030 CWG, with the country emerging as the favourite to host the event. Iyer said if India gets the hosting right, then they will ensure the event will be technology driven one, with the incorporation of Artificial Intelligence. "The focus for the Commonwealth Sport (earlier CGF) and for us also is on sustainability, legacy of the Games will have to be the host city and the country. 2030 CWG will be technology-driven with strong emphasis on the incorporation of AI," he said. 'India in dialogue with IOC despite "pause" in host selection process' New IOC President Kirsty Coventry has declared that the entire Olympic host selection process was being paused and a working group being set up to figure out the "appropriate time" to identify a future host. Iyer said the IOA, which has already submitted its Expression of Interest to host the 2036 Olympics, has been in touch with the IOC despite the "pause" on the whole process. "We are in a continuous dialogue... means today I can pick up the phone and ask IOC if their are some doubts. They (IOC) can call us and check on certain things. "They themselves have decided to pause and reflect. They are trying to sort out how is it that they want to approach the whole idea of allotting the Olympics. They want a re-look at it. "When we met them, it was like a workshop, as to what we need to do, a lot of focus on sustainability, on diversity, on equal opportunity, on more women coming into... there is a lot of discussion on all these things." Asked when a 2036 Olympics Bid Committee will be formed, he said, "I think everything would be formed now. Only there are certain contours of the committee. You will hear about it soon."
