Amit Shah Declares India’s Readiness to Host 2036 Olympics at National Games Finale
News Synopsis
The 38th National Games concluded with a vibrant yet simple closing ceremony in Uttarakhand. The event, held at the Indira Gandhi International Sports Complex, witnessed a packed audience of 25,000. Home Minister Amit Shah was the chief guest and reaffirmed India's ambition to host the 2036 Olympics.
Amit Shah's Optimistic Outlook on India's Sports Future
Addressing the attendees, Shah expressed confidence in India’s sporting potential. He declared,
"I can say it today that India has a very bright future in sports. We have staked a claim to host the Olympics in 2036, and we are ready for it. When the Olympics are held here, our athletes will win medals and make the country's flag fly high."
India's bid for the 2036 Olympics is still in its early stages, with the International Olympic Committee expected to take a decision next year.
Uttarakhand’s Transformation into a ‘Khel Bhoomi’
The ceremony started with Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami welcoming Amit Shah with a commemorative memento, a shawl, and a bouquet. Shah praised Uttarakhand's rapid development in sports infrastructure and acknowledged the state’s efforts in successfully hosting the Games.
"‘Dev Bhoomi’ has now also become a ‘Khel Bhoomi’ due to its athletes’ outstanding performances and Dhami ji’s relentless efforts," Shah said.
Under Dhami’s leadership, Uttarakhand made a significant leap in the rankings, moving from the 21st position in the previous National Games to the 7th spot in this edition.
Government’s Commitment to Sports Development
Shah emphasized the Modi government's strong support for sports, highlighting a substantial increase in the sports budget.
"When Modi ji became PM in 2014, our sports budget was ₹800 crore. Today, it has risen to ₹3,800 crore, showcasing the government’s dedication to sports development," he said.
He also noted that India’s medal tally has improved significantly under the Modi administration:
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Commonwealth Games: Increased from 15 medals in 2014 to 26.
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Asian Games: Grew from 57 medals in 2014 to 107 in 2023.
Honoring the Top Performers
During the ceremony, Amit Shah and Pushkar Singh Dhami awarded prizes to the top three teams of the Games:
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Services Sports Control Board
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Maharashtra
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Haryana
Several dignitaries, including Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, Uttarakhand’s Sports Minister Rekha Arya, boxing legend MC Mary Kom, and Olympic medallist shooter Gagan Narang, attended the event.
India’s Path to Becoming a Global Sports Hub
Mandaviya described the Games as a catalyst in India’s journey to becoming a global sports powerhouse.
"Uttarakhand has shown that it is not just Devbhoomi but also Khelbhoomi. This marks the beginning of India becoming a major sports hub and breaking into the top 10 Olympic-performing nations by 2036," he said.
A Colorful Cultural Showcase
The ceremony ended with a brief but captivating cultural performance dedicated to Lord Shiva, celebrating India's rich heritage. A ‘Games Recap’ video highlighted the best moments of the National Games, capturing the spirit and dedication of the athletes.
With India’s growing focus on sports infrastructure and talent development, the dream of hosting the 2036 Olympics seems increasingly within reach.
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