Key Points
- BCCI is set to adopt and fully fund two to three Olympic sports disciplines, marking its biggest direct involvement yet in India’s Olympic movement.
- The initiative is part of the Sports Ministry’s plan to create specialized Olympic Centres of Excellence, with BCCI and 58 other corporates agreeing in principle to support athlete training, diet, and coaching.
- BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla confirmed the board’s commitment at a high-level meeting, with the ministry to decide which sports BCCI will adopt.
- The move comes after BCCI’s recent financial support of ₹8.5 crore to the Indian Olympic Association for the Paris 2024 Games, and aligns with cricket’s inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
- Government funding for Olympic sports will continue, but the new model aims to bring in professional management and corporate expertise to boost India’s medal prospects.
New Delhi: In a landmark move for Indian sports, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced its willingness to adopt and fully fund two to three Olympic sports disciplines. This initiative, revealed during a major online meeting between Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and representatives from 58 leading corporates and PSUs, aims to revolutionize India’s approach to Olympic preparation and athlete development.
Olympic Centres of Excellence: A New Era for Indian Sports
The Sports Ministry’s ambitious plan is to establish specialized Olympic Centres of Excellence for each sport, modeled after world-class facilities in Japan, the USA, and Australia. These centres will identify and train 100–200 of India’s best athletes across age groups, focusing on both the current and next Olympic cycles. BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla, who represented the board at the meeting, confirmed that BCCI is ready to take full responsibility for the training, diet, and coaching of athletes in the disciplines it adopts.
A joint committee comprising ministry and sports federation representatives will monitor the implementation, ensuring professional standards and timely decision-making. Importantly, government funding for sports will continue, but the addition of corporate and BCCI resources is expected to bring much-needed expertise and efficiency.
BCCI’s Growing Role in Olympic Sports
While BCCI has previously supported Olympic efforts with financial grants-such as ₹8.5 crore to the Indian Olympic Association for the Paris 2024 Games and ₹4 crore in cash awards to Tokyo 2021 medalists-this marks the first time the cricket board will directly oversee the development and nurturing of Olympic talent. The board’s involvement is seen as a game-changer, given its vast resources and experience in managing elite athletes and infrastructure.
BCCI’s commitment comes at a time when cricket is set to debut at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, further strengthening the board’s ties to the Olympic movement and India’s broader sporting ambitions.
What Happens Next?
- The Sports Ministry will soon finalize which Olympic sports BCCI will adopt, with baseball and similar disciplines reportedly under consideration.
- BCCI and other corporates will submit detailed action plans for the sports they support.
- The new Olympic Centres of Excellence are expected to begin operations this year, with the long-term goal of propelling India into the top 10 of the Olympic medal tally by 2036.
A Collaborative Model for Sporting Success
This public-private partnership model is designed to professionalize Indian sports training, ensure world-class support for athletes, and ultimately deliver more Olympic medals for the country. The BCCI’s leadership in this initiative is expected to inspire other corporates and federations to step up their support, marking a new era for India’s Olympic journey.
With the BCCI’s unprecedented commitment and the government’s vision for world-class Olympic centres, Indian athletes are set to receive a major boost on the road to Paris 2024, Los Angeles 2028, and beyond.
