2024-11-10 19:24:00
While India‘s bid to host the 2036 Summer Games has reached a decisive milestone with the sending of the letter of intent to the Future Host Commission of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the training of high-level athletes remains a central issue for the project currently under development.
Dince 1900, the date of the first participation of an Indian athlete in the Olympic Games, and even more since 1920, an edition during which a first delegation responsible for representing the country appeared on the list of participants, India has not collected 41 medals at the Summer Games, including 10 titles, including 8 in field hockey.
In the Paris 2024 edition alone, the competing delegation only managed to pocket 6 charms. With this record without the slightest gold medal, India only ranked a very low 71st place in the medal table, behind Lithuania and ahead of Moldova.
This observation illustrates a paradox. In fact, while being the largest country in the world in terms of demographics, India paradoxically remains a small nation in terms of sporting performances on the Olympic stage.
However, this discrepancy raises questions at a time when the country is embarking on the race to organize the Games hoping to achieve the feat that the great regional rival – China – managed to achieve by winning the 2008 Olympics.
If the prospect of the event hosted on site can of course create a formidable springboard effect, the path to achieve still constitutes a major challenge for India. All things considered, China has worked for decades – in unique conditions it must be admitted – to bring out athletes capable of competing with the best competitors on the planet, with at the same time the rapid development of cutting-edge infrastructure. . But even before obtaining the organization of the Games, China already had a solid sporting record.
Also, India today finds itself at a strategic crossroads, with some international sports leaders keeping in mind the fiasco of organizing the Commonwealth Games in 2010, fiasco which had postponed for several years the possibility of seeing an Indian candidacy for the Olympics.
However, with a completely redesigned selection model and dialogue elevated to priority in the mysteries of Olympic power, India can now start dreaming of becoming a future destination for the biggest sporting event in the world.
In recent years, the country’s authorities have in any case prepared the emergence of a candidacy, Ahmedabad being identified since at least 2021 as a probable nerve center for the deployment of a project combining new sports sites and regional planning, whether in terms of town planning, transport and services for the population.
And challenge colossal, which does not, however, frighten the main players involved in this Olympic and Paralympic ambition, determined to assert themselves in the eyes of the world.
But beyond the projects to be carried out to enable the arrival of the Games, and even if India is now seen as a partner in the making of the Olympic Movementparticularly with regard to commercial and television rights, the Indian authorities will inevitably have to work towards the establishment of a sporting strategy aimed at detecting future talents and supporting athletes so that they can be competitive with a view to and ahead of the 2036 Olympics.
Aware of this imperative, boxer Nikhat Zareen recently advocated for the establishment of training centers under the aegis of the Indian Sports Authority (SAI) in each of the states making up the country.
As stated in an interview with the agency « IANS »the double World Champion (50 kg) in 2022 and 2023:
India’s hosting of the 2036 Olympics will be a huge motivation for athletes.
If we want to host major events like the Olympic Games, I think every state should have SAI-certified Centers. Currently, there are only Regional Centers. If I need to train, I have to go to places like Rohtak, Guwahati, Aurangabad, or wherever these Centers are located.
Rightly evoking her own experience and the sacrifices to make to reach the high level, Nikhat Zareen also emphasized that:
If I have to struggle this hard to train, imagine the challenges young people face to prepare for 2036. I will retire by then, but for them it will be difficult. Convincing their parents to send them so far away to train will be a real challenge.
If every state has an SAI Center with good coaches, everyone will benefit and we can focus on the athletes at the local level.
The training of young athletes must be a priority. The quality of the infrastructure they can claim must also be at the heart of a global strategy carried out across the entire country.
On this point, the Indian boxer who took part in the Paris 2024 Games believes that:
The capital of each state should have a good stadium and sports policy to support young athletes who do not have stable financial resources.
By sponsoring their equipment locally, providing them with quality coaches and giving them access to facilities, we can give them a solid boost, help them reach senior level and potentially make the nation proud.
A whole program which illustrates if necessary the immense work ahead for India in its quest for the Games.
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How can India replicate China’s athlete development success as it prepares for the 2036 Olympics?
India is at a pivotal moment as it prepares to bid for the 2036 Olympics, aiming to replicate the success that China experienced in hosting the 2008 Games. While the potential for an Olympic event in India presents an exciting opportunity, the country faces significant challenges, particularly in developing a robust sports infrastructure and a viable talent pipeline.
China’s success in the sporting arena resulted from decades of investment in athlete development and the creation of world-class facilities. In contrast, India’s recent history in organizing major sporting events has been marred by the controversies surrounding the Commonwealth Games in 2010, resulting in skepticism from international sports leaders about India’s readiness to host the Olympics.
However, there is renewed optimism. The Indian authorities have been laying the groundwork for a potential bid, with Ahmedabad earmarked as a central hub for new sports venues and infrastructure enhancements. This ambitious project includes considerations for urban planning, transportation, and services, demonstrating a commitment to a more comprehensive approach than seen in the past.
With the backing of prominent athletes like boxer Nikhat Zareen, there is a growing recognition of the need for improved training facilities across the country. Zareen’s call for the establishment of Indian Sports Authority (SAI) certified centers in every state emphasizes the necessity for decentralized, accessible training programs that would help identify and nurture future talent.
Her insights underscore the importance of local resources for athletes, particularly those from less affluent backgrounds. Zareen advocates for enhanced support, including funding for equipment, state-of-the-art stadiums, and comprehensive sports policies to elevate the standard of training available to aspiring competitors.
As India embarks on this journey towards becoming a potential host for the Olympics, it must prioritize not only the physical infrastructure necessary for such an event but also the development of its athletes. Focusing on cultivating talent at the grassroots level and ensuring equitable access to resources will be crucial in transforming India’s Olympic aspirations into reality.
