Can multi-city bid enhance India’s Olympic credentials?

New Delhi/Mumbai/Ahmedabad: Ahmedabad is ready to be the cornerstone of India’s bid for 2036 Olympics whilst few sports activities could possibly be held in different cities in step with the Worldwide Olympic Committee’s (IOC) push for cost-effectiveness and sustainability. Officers within the know mentioned that the opportunity of internet hosting hockey in Bhubaneswar, canoeing and kayaking in Pune, equestrian and rowing in Bhopal, and crusing in Chennai have been being explored however the Gujarat metropolis will stay on the entrance and centre of India’s push to host a maiden Olympics.

“If India does come into critical competition to host the Olympics — and that’s nonetheless a way down the road — the crux of the Video games might be in Ahmedabad,” a prime official of the Gujarat State Olympic Affiliation (GSOA) mentioned. The official, nevertheless, mentioned that India presenting a number of present venues in its pitch to spice up its credentials in opposition to stiff competitors. “However that could possibly be only for the pitch. As soon as there’s better readability, and the work-in-progress venues in Ahmedabad take form, most sports activities will stay right here,” the official added.

One other official concerned within the planning of infrastructure initiatives in Ahmedabad mentioned the town will stay on the “core” of India’s bid. “However we will additionally take a look at present sports activities infrastructure in different cities. Cricket, for instance, also can happen in a number of stadiums. Pune can host canoeing and kayaking. Nonetheless, no formal proposal has been made,” this official added.

Sports activities minister Mansukh Mandaviya was in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday, visiting the Kalinga Stadium the place he met Odisha sports activities secretary Bhaskar Jyoti Sarma. Other than holding a number of worldwide hockey occasions, the 16,000-capacity Kalinga Stadium additionally hosted the final two hockey World Cups in 2018 and 2023.

“Inner discussions have been happening for a while however there may be nothing concrete but. Sure, there’s a chance (of Bhubaneswar internet hosting hockey on the 2036 Olympics) however all these choices might be taken in New Delhi,” a second official mentioned.

India, within the run-up to the Olympics, is ready to bid for a slew of worldwide occasions such because the 2028 U-20 athletics World Championships and 2030 Youth Olympics in addition to internet hosting Asian Crusing Championships and World Athletics Bronze Stage Continental Tour later this yr, and BWF World Championships in 2026.

In addition to India, Qatar, Turkey, South Korea and Saudi Arabia amongst others are additionally within the fray for internet hosting the 2036 Video games. Seoul, that hosted the 1988 Video games, has already carried out feasibility assessments.

To make sure, the bid committee that may current India’s case to the IOC remains to be to be fashioned. “There are elections within the IOC in March (18-21) and after that we expect a gathering with the IOC hosts fee,” mentioned an IOA official.

On the Paris Olympics, crusing befell in Marseille (about three hours by practice from Paris) whereas browsing was held farther away in Tahiti.

For such sports activities, India might want to take a look at venues exterior Ahmedabad. Nonetheless, metropolis’s Sabramati Riverfront, the GSOA official mentioned, may also be thought of.

It’s understood that the work on three bold infrastructure initiatives in Ahmedabad — which is able to go forward regardless of the Olympics coming to India or not — are in progress. Naranpura Sports activities Complicated, the multi-purpose facility unfold over 20 acres, is ready to be accomplished in March whereas Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sports activities Enclave across the Narendra Modi Stadium space, will take “a number of extra years”.

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sports activities Enclave has already undergone a number of evaluations by authorities for crucial facets resembling fireplace evacuation. Being constructed for a projected value of ₹6,000 crore, it may be a probable venue for aquatics and tennis. Work on the Karai Sports activities Hub in Gandhinagar, the place athletics and capturing occasions could possibly be staged, is present process renovation with an overlay of ₹1,200cr- ₹1,500 crore.