India Bids for 2030 Youth Olympics: Mandaviya Addresses OCA General Assembly

Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, India’s Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports, announced India’s bid for the 2030 Youth Olympics during his speech at the of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA)44th General Assembly  on September 8, 2024. India will compete against Peru, Colombia, Mexico, Thailand, Mongolia, Russia, Ukraine, and Bosnia and Herzegovina for hosting rights. This bid is seen as a precursor to India’s ambition to host the 2036 Olympics.

Highlights from Dr. Mandaviya’s Address

Dr. Mandaviya detailed India’s sports initiatives, emphasizing the ‘Khelo India’ scheme, ‘Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS)’, and ‘Achieving Sports Milestone by Inspiring Women Through Action (ASMITA)’. He noted the government’s substantial increase in the sports budget from USD 143 million in 2014-15 to approximately USD 417 million today. This funding has led to record-breaking performances at the Asian Games and Asian Para Games.

Khelo India Scheme

 With an annual budget of USD 119 million, the scheme focuses on grassroots talent development, providing scholarships to over 2,700 children annually, and organizing four Khelo India Games each year. It supports over 1,050 district-level centres to improve sports infrastructure.

Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS)

This program aids athletes in preparing for the Olympics and international competitions. Of the 117 Indian athletes at the Paris Olympics, 28 were Khelo India alumni, and India’s Paralympic team, including 18 Khelo India athletes, won a record 29 medals at the Paris Paralympics 2024.

ASMITA Program

This initiative promotes gender equality and women’s participation in 18 sports disciplines, aligning with Olympic ideals and strengthening Asia’s sporting legacy.

Additional Remarks

Union Minister J. P. Nadda highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s advocacy for sports development, including the Khelo India movement and the establishment of the National Sports University. He acknowledged the OCA’s role in improving sports infrastructure and facilities for athletes.