As part of its growing ambition to host the 2036 Summer Games, India has set up the six-member committee as national federations play a crucial role in providing personalised training to elite athletes and promising young talents who require adequate resources and support to reach their full potential. The review of these regulations aims to strengthen the country’s sports infrastructure, improve athlete performance and ultimately ensure that it is ready to take on the challenge in 11 years.
The committee, chaired by Joint Secretary of Sports, Kunal Kumar, includes key figures such as the Executive Director of Teams, Ritu Pathik, and the President of the Indian Weightlifting Federation, Sahdev Yadav (who is also the Treasurer of the Indian Olympic Association, IOA).
In a note addressed to all the members of the committee, Tarun Pareek, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Sports, said, “The undersigned must inform you that the norms for providing financial assistance to the National Sports Federations (NSFs) have been reinstated by the Ministry vide letter dated 28 February 2022”.
It went on to say, “A new Olympic cycle has commenced, necessitating revision of the norms due to changing circumstances, which require a comprehensive review to address emerging challenges and India’s aspiration to host the 2036 Olympic Games,” according to the circular seen by the Press Trust of India.
The move comes at a crucial time for the Asian power, which last November submitted a letter of intent to the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) Future Host Commission to host the 2036 Olympic Games, marking the start of an ambitious process of sporting and structural transformation in the Asian country.
In this context, the Commission’s task is to review the financial support scheme, which includes the organisation of national tournaments, participation in international competitions and the purchase of equipment.
The review proposal is based on the need to address “emerging challenges” and improve the performance of national associations. It also considers the introduction of a tiered funding system, whereby federations that meet the governance standards of the draft national sports law will receive full funding. This system aims to ensure greater transparency and performance, which is a key factor for India as it moves towards 2036.
Although the budget for federations has increased marginally this year from 340 to 400 million rupees (€3.73 to €4.39 million), the discussion surrounding the changes to the regulations and funding system reflects India’s commitment to a reform process to ensure the country is fully prepared for the Olympic Games in over a decade’s time.
As the country progresses in its preparations for the Olympic Games, committee leaders have also stressed the importance of transparency and adherence to ethical and governance standards, elements that are fundamental to the new sports legislation to be presented to Parliament.
Up until now, only three Asian countries have had the privilege of hosting the Olympic Games: Japan (two Summer and two Winter), China (one Summer and one Winter), and South Korea (one Summer and one Winter). In this context, India, located in the heart of the Indian subcontinent, is setting its sights on securing the 2036 Olympic Games, as part of its ambitious plan to rise as a dominant force in the global sporting arena.
The review of these financial support mechanisms is therefore aimed not only at improving the performance of the federations, but also at ensuring that India is equipped to meet the international standards required for an event of the magnitude of the Olympic Games.
