The Indian Army hosted the much-anticipated “Army Sports Conclave” today, highlighting the role of Indian Army in India’s sporting ecosystem. As India sets its sight on hosting the 2036 Olympics, the Army Sports Conclave serves as a crucial platform to align efforts and contribute to this national mission. The conclave, with an emphasis on fostering collaboration with various national stakeholders, stressed the importance of drawing up collaborative strategies with the Indian Olympics Association, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and National Sports Federations to enhance India’s global sporting aspirations.

Armed Forces consistently invested in nurturing athletes

The Indian Armed Forces have a long and distinguished tradition of contributing to the country’s sporting achievements, particularly in prestigious international competitions such as the Asian Games and the Olympics. Recognising the critical role played by the sports in promoting national pride, fitness, and international prestige, the Armed Forces have consistently invested in nurturing athletes.

Indian Army established the Mission Olympics Wing in 2001

The Indian Army established the Mission Olympics Wing in 2001, training a total of 9,000 sportspersons across 28 different sports nodes. In collaboration with SAI, there are total of 18 Boys Sports companies and two Girls Sports Companies across the India for nurturing the talent from young age (09 to 16 Years).

Additionally, a Paralympic Node is established to motivate and train the disabled soldiers with disability for paralympic sports. Through the establishment of specialised, comprehensive training regimes, and infrastructure, the Indian Army has supported the careers of numerous athletes and sportspersons who have won accolades on the global platforms.

Indian Army : Vision for India to achieve maximum Olympics medals by 2036

Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, the Hon’ble Minister of Labour and Employment as well as the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, along with Colonel Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, AVSM (Retd), the Hon’ble Minister of Industry and Commerce and Minister of Youth Affairs for the Government of Rajasthan, graciously attended the event.

In addition, General Upendra Dwivedi, the Chief of the Army Staff, also honored the occasion with his presence.

In his keynote address, Colonel Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, AVSM (Retd), highlighted the government’s initiatives to bolster sports, notably through the ‘Khelo India’ program for games. He outlined a vision for India to achieve maximum Olympics medals by 2036, advocating for the creation of Centres of Excellence for sports. He also acknowledged Indian Army’s contribution in promoting sports culture and mentioned that Indian Army emerges as one of the top medal-winning entity in the nation.

 Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, praised the Indian Army

In the inaugural address, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, praised the Indian Army for its indispensable contribution to India’s sports ecosystem. He highlighted the necessity of a joint multi-agency effort to promote sports across the country. Dr. Mandaviya discussed the creation of a comprehensive roadmap for success in the Olympics, which, notably, includes both short-term five-year plans and long-term 25-year strategies aimed at nurturing talent from grassroots to elite levels.

In addition, the conclave drew valuable insights from former athletes and Olympians. Among those sharing their wisdom were celebrated personalities such as Anju Bobby George, Mary Kom, and Tarundeep Rai. Each of these distinguished individuals offered their personal experiences and perspectives, highlighting what it takes to excel at the highest levels of sports. Drawing from their experiences, the conclave underscored the need for sports education, sharing of resources at national level and best practices across the sports ecosystem.

India’s sports potential with a focus on future Olympics

The team carefully conducted deliberations to effectively integrate sports science at the grassroots level, while also harnessing the talent of retired athletes. In addition, they aimed to implement a custom, multi-pronged approach for Indian sports that seamlessly integrates both the physical and mental preparation of athletes who are aspiring to compete in the 2036 Olympics.

The conclave thoroughly explored strategies for harnessing India’s sports potential with a focus on future Olympics, emphasising the need to elevate technical standards for achieving excellence.

comprehensive roadmap preparation for Olympics

A collaborative effort involving the The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Indian Army, Sports Authority of India, Sports Federation of India and other key stakeholders provided valuable insights, leading to the formulation of a comprehensive roadmap preparation for Olympics. The collective discussions laid the groundwork for actionable steps to ensure India’s success on the global stage.

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