As part of 2036 Olympics bid, Ahmedabad targets major hosting championships in athletics, swimming, fencing, judo, volleyball

Attempting to host the U-20 Worth Athletics Championship is part of the bigger picture vis-a-vis the Olympic bid. The Indian Express has learnt that during a recent meeting between high-ranking officials and ministers from Gujarat and the Centre, it was decided to target a slew of international multi-disciplinary events and major continental, Commonwealth and world-level tournaments across Olympic sports to help the state gain hosting experience for big events.

Also on the agenda were the challenge posed by the weather in Gujarat in July and August — the preferred months to host an Olympics — recommendations to relax norms for liquor permits, reaching out to some of the world’s biggest hotel chains to set up their units in the state, and hiring global consultants to prepare a robust bid as well as drive the narrative in the international media.

These discussions between the state and Centre took place around the time when the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) officially submitted a Letter of Intent to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to host the 2036 Olympic Games.

While the IOA did not name a preferred host city in its communique to the world body, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had earlier said that Ahmedabad is the government’s choice to host the Games.

Towards that end, over the next five years, efforts will be made to turn Ahmedabad, which has little experience of hosting Olympic sports tournaments, into a major sporting destination.

The 2028 U-20 World Athletics Championship is part of the plan that also includes the 2026 fencing world cup, 2027 women’s volleyball world championship, 2028 Asian swimming championship, the world judo championships, and the world athletics relay championship in 2026.

Multi-discipline events like the Youth Olympics, South Asian Games, World Beach Games and World Military Games also feature on the wishlist.

These are some of the tournaments included in an exhaustive list comprising more than two dozen single-sport tournaments and almost a dozen multi-discipline events prepared by officials. It must be noted that the list is at an exploratory stage and India may not necessarily pitch to host all of them.

“We were told to make a list of marquee events in our sport and indicate the next available slot that India can bid for. This is to test the hosting capabilities as well as get experience in organising major tournaments,” an official who heads a state sports association in Gujarat and is part of a national sports federation said.

One of the events India is targeting is the 2029 World Police and Fire Games. When a team from the Games’ world body visited Ahmedabad to do a recce, it is learnt they expressed satisfaction over the venue plans but suggested that alcohol permits in the dry state be relaxed along with issues related to visas.

The challenge posed by the weather was also discussed during the meeting between the government officials. The high humidity, heavy rainfall and 30-plus degree temperatures may not be conducive for some outdoor sports, forcing them to consider alternate plans.

Sources said that other months — September and October — were looked at. However, it was pointed out that the IOC, in the past, has rejected a similar proposal by Qatar, arguing that it could affect broadcast numbers. Eventually, it was decided to discuss this issue with the IOC at an appropriate time.

India’s interest for the 2036 Games has gained momentum in the last few weeks but continues to face stiff competition from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Indonesia. Recently, South Africa too has thrown its hat in the ring. A final decision is not expected before 2026 or 2027, the IOC has said.

The Indian Express