GUJARAT is gearing up to convert India’s audacious dream of hosting the 2036 Olympics into a reality. The International Olympic Committee website has already listed Ahmedabad as one of the potential hosts for the biggest sporting extravaganza over a decade away from now.
India’s growing economic clout and the country’s improved performance in the 2021 Olympics have strengthened the Modi Government’s resolve to make a serious shot at Olympic bidding. The increased presence of world-beaters in various games is another reason for India to cherish Olympic ambitions.
“If India can host the G20 presidency in such a big way, I’m sure the Government will be able to pitch in to host the Olympics in the country along with the IOA,” Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur was quoted as saying by a major daily, in December last year. “We all know that the slots are booked till 2032. But 2036 onwards, we have hopes and I’m sure India will fully prepare and bid for the Olympics,” he had told the newspaper.
The minister had also spelt out that Gujarat would be the most likely state to host these Games as it has the infrastructure – hotels, airports and sports complexes, and the state was serious about it.
Speaking to Blitz India, a senior official of the Gujarat Government said, “We are confident that Ahmedabad will have the requisite infrastructure ready by 2026. We want to have the infra completed at least ten years before the Games so as to avoid the last-minute problems which plague many hosts.”
Giving further details, he said currently Ahmedabad boasts of a world-class infra in the Narenda Modi Cricket Stadium, the largest cricket stadium in the world. It has a seating capacity of 1,30,000-plus. This, he said, can be an ideal choice for conducting the Opening and Closing ceremonies of the Games.
He also said the athletics track, which is being constructed inside the stadium, can host the athletic events. “All the track and field events can be conducted here. So we don’t have to build any other stadium in a way the main stadium is almost ready – which is a big advantage for us,” he added.
The state Government is also building Sardar Vallavbhai Sports Enclave, which will be one of the main hubs of the Olympic Games. The enclave is being developed close to the Narendra Modi Stadium and the Nanapura Sports Complex, which will witness the entire action during the Games.
It is worth mentioning that India has never bid for the Olympics before. None of the Latin American or African countries also has ever hosted these games. Japan, Korea and China are the only Asian countries to have played hosts to the Olympics. After assuming the G20 presidency, India feels the need to showcase its prowess and worldclass infrastructure by hosting a grand event in the sporting arena.
