Leander Paes outlines role in India’s 2036 Olympic bid, focuses on youth and sports development
The seven-time Olympian said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had given him the task of working on youth development and sports while helping the country pursue its ambition of hosting the Olympics in 2036.
Indian tennis legend Leander Paes addressed the media in Kolkata on Saturday during his first interaction after joining the BJP, outlining his transition into public life. (Source: Photo by PTI)
He noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had assigned him the task of working on youth development and sports while contributing to the country’s Olympic ambitions Paes emphasised the need to build a strong sporting ecosystem in India, stating that hosting the Olympics could transform infrastructure and elevate global standing Drawing comparisons with leading Olympic nations, he underlined that countries dominating medal tallies were also among the world’s strongest economies The former Olympian stressed the importance of grassroots development, pointing out that nurturing young athletes would be central to India’s long-term success in sports Focusing on West Bengal, Paes raised concerns over inadequate sports infrastructure, citing the absence of an indoor tennis stadium and reliance on temporary facilities He called for improved opportunities for youth in the state, expressing concern over the ongoing migration of talent and the need to prevent brain drain .Reflecting on Bengal’s Olympic history, Paes noted the limited number of medal winners from the state and underscored the need for sustained investment in sports Paes outlined his broader vision of impacting millions of children through sports and education, aiming to strengthen India’s sporting culture and future Olympic prospects.
The Indian Express