INDIA SAYS WILL BID FOR 2032 OLYMPICS
NEW DELHI: The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) on Saturday announced it would submit an Expression of Interest (EoI) to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to host the 2032 Olympics and the 2026 Youth Olympics. The IOA is also keen to host the 2030 Asian Games, for which it will submit an EoI to the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), the federation added.
NEW DELHI: The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) on Saturday announced they will submit an Expression of Interest (EoI) to host four major events, including the 2032 Olympic Games, but president Narinder Batra stressed that India should win more medals in order to be taken seriously in their bid.
The IOA will also submit EoIs for the 2021 International Olympic Committee Congress, 2026 Youth Olympic Games and the 2030 Asian Games. The body also reviewed India’s performance at the Commonwealth Games and formed committees to redress issues plaguing the national sports federations (NSFs).
The IOA also announced a list of 2,370 members registered for the Asian Games in Jakarta and Palembang from August 18-September 2. Of these 1,938 are athletes, 399 officials, eight IOA staffers, seven sports ministry officials and 18 Sports Authority of India functionaries. However, this will be pruned down drastically by June 30.
Four years back, India had sent 680 members, including 516 athletes, to the Incheon Asian Games. “We have made some purposeful decisions. From EoI for hosting global events to announcing new committees and commissions, it’s all formally plotted in our future roadmap,” said Batra.
“The list for the Asian Games has also been submitted to the organisers. We shall shortlist the contingent after final selections by federations.”
IOA also shared the qualification criteria for various sports disciplines. It also announced the constitution of a sub-committee – the Commonwealth Games Association of India --- within IOA.
CONFUSION OVER NATIONAL GAMES
Confusion looms over the hosting of the 36th National Games, originally scheduled in Goa in November. The hosts want the Games to be postponed to February 2019 due to delays in building necessary infrastructure. Batra said a few disciplines could be moved out of Goa as the venues are unlikely to be ready in time.