Delhi ready to host 2036 Olympics, says CM Gupta
New Delhi: Chief minister Rekha Gupta said on Sunday that Delhi as well as the entire country is fully prepared to host the 2036 Olympic Games.
She expressed confidence that the global community would grant this honour, and India would organise the sports extravaganza with full dedication.
She was speaking after an event where, along with Union minister for youth affairs and sports Mansukh Mandaviya, she flagged off the Olympic Day Run at JLN Stadium. The president of the Indian Olympic Association, PT Usha, was present.
Gupta said: “The Olympic Day celebration and run in Delhi brought immense joy, as thousands of residents
participated enthusiastically.”
She mentioned that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the nation was progressing towards
better sports infrastructure and facilities for athletes.
The Olympic Day Run was held under the IOC’s ‘Let’s Move’ campaign, promoting fitness and inclusivity. “I am
very happy that thousands of Delhi people participated in this organised Olympic run,” she said.
“Delhi is ready to host the 2036 Olympics. We want to get the privilege to host the Olympics. We will develop
good infrastructure, and many sportspeople from every village and every state are getting good facilities from
central govt. Several athletes are being produced, and we are completely equipped,” she said.
Delhi govt has also proposed setting up six Khelo India centres across the city to nurture young talent and
promote a culture of fitness. Awaiting approval from the Sports Authority of India, these facilities will offer
training, equipment and coaching to aspiring athletes, a senior official said.
The centres will be established across India under the Khelo India scheme. These can be at the state, district or
block level, utilising existing sports facilities like schools or community centres.
At present, thousands of athletes are being covered at SAI Training Centres (STCs), including erstwhile Special
Area Games (SAG) centres funded under the State Level Khelo India Centre (SLKIC) vertical. The centres provide
training and infrastructural facilities to players for athletics, football, volleyball, hockey, and kabaddi.
These centres also serve as a means of spotting promising talent who can receive further training and monetary
assistance. Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) in Gwalior, Ghaziabad, Delhi Cantt, and other cities have been adopted as
SLKIC in partnership with Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan.
Officials said that at these centres, the expenditure for lodging, boarding, education expenses, competition
exposure, sports training, and equipment are incurred by the govt.