Sports Ministry to open Olympic training centres

In order to help boost support for our athletes, the Ministry of Sports has decided to open Olympic Training Centres in the country to boost India’s chances in the 2030 Olympics, which the country has bid to host.

India, through Indian Olympic Association (IOA) , has already sent a letter of intent to hold the 2030 Olympic Games, and the ministry’s plan is to boost India’s medal tally if the country successfully gets the nod to host the Summer Games.

A source in the ministry has said that starting off the ministry is likely to open 10 centres for different disciplines across the country. The plan is to use various National Centre of Excellence (NCOEs) that are stretched all over the country.

Initially the plan is to select 350 young athletes – all under the age of 14 – through various district competitions. These athletes will undergo training at the NCOEs, with the top 150 being moved to the Olympic Training Centres for advanced coaching.

“We would first make the repository through the local competitions. Those selected would be sent to NCOEs and the top 150 would then be sent to the Olympic Training Centres,” the source said.

“Every athletes’ progression would be monitored and if found slacking on results, he or she would be dropped and a new prospect would be selected to take that place,” he added.

It is understood a full plan will be shortly unveiled by the sports ministry in the coming months.

E-sports in Khelo India

Bihar has been announced as the next host of Khelo India Youth Games. Scheduled to be held between May 4 to 15, the Youth Games would be held across five cities in the state. Patna, Rajgir, Bhagalpur, Begusarai and Gaya would host the majority of the games, however shooting, cycling and gymnastics competitions would be held in New Delhi.

“E-sports has been included in this year’s edition as a demo sport. Overall there are 27 sports disciplines in which competitions are to be held,” Sports minister Mansukh Mandaviya said.

The minister also informed that the ministry would soon announce a full schedule of all Khelo India, Youth Games, Winter Games, University Games and Beach Games competition calendar.

“We have also decided that the Games will be held in the same centre. For example the Winter Games will always be held in Ladakh and Gulmarg. Similarly the Tribal Games will be held in Bastar, Chhattisgarh,” he added.