Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 4, Sunday, reaffirmed India’s push to host the 2036 edition of the Olympics. Modi reasserted the plans to bring the quadrennial Games to India during the inauguration ceremony of the Khelo India Youth Games in Bihar.
“Today, India is trying to hold the Olympics in 2036.” Modi said in a video message which was played during the inauguration ceremony of the Khelo India Youth Games. He also lauded the growing sports culture in Bihar.
“Sports is now making its mark as a culture in Bihar. And the more Indian sports culture grows, the more India’s soft power will also grow,” Modi added.
The Khelo India Youth Games will be held in Bihar from May 4 to May 15 with events like shooting taking place in New Delhi.
India is vying to hold the Olympic Games in 2036 and will be competing against Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, South Korea, Indonesia and Chile to win the hosting rights for the Games. To gear up for the Olympics, India, in March, submitted a bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games.
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According to a Press Trust of India report India has officially submitted its Letter of Intent to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to host the 2036 Games.
In his address Modi also emphasized central government’s vision to upgrade India’s sports infrastructure.
“The government’s focus is also on modernizing the sports infrastructure in India. In the past decade, the budget for sports has increased by more than three times…at present, the budget for sports is about Rs. 4000 crores. A large part of this budget is being spent on sports infrastructure.” he added.
Sports union minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya also assured that India was on track to hold the 2036 Olympics.
“India is heading in the direction of hosting the 2036 Olympics” Mandaviya said in his address at the opening ceremony of Bihar Khelo Games.
Prakhar Sachdeo
The Sportz Planet Desk
