India is gearing up in full swing to host the 2036 Olympics Games. Addressing the 72nd inaugural ceremony of the 72nd National Volleyball Championship via video conference, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the country’s recent experience in staging major global sporting events.
Noting that initiatives like the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) were transforming the sports ecosystem in India, with efforts focused on building strong infrastructure, funding mechanisms, and providing young athletes with global exposure, he said the country’s growing clout in sport could be gauged from the fact that India had hosted more than 20 top international competitions in the last 10 years.
‘2030 Commonwealth Games will be held in India,’ says Modi
In the past decade, more than 20 major international events have been held in various cities, including the U-17 FIFA World Cup, the Hockey World Cup, and major chess tournaments.”
“The 2030 Commonwealth Game will be held in India. India is preparing with full strength to host the 2036 Olympics,” Modi said.
The championship, being staged from January 4 to 11, features participation from over 1,000 players representing 58 teams from across the country.
“The tournament is expected to showcase high standards of competition, sportsmanship, and talent in Indian volleyball,” according to an official release.
“Hosting the National Volleyball Tournament in Varanasi underscores the growing emphasis on strengthening sports infrastructure and promoting athletic development in the city,” it added.
“It further enhances the city’s profile as a hub for major national events, aligning with its expanding role in hosting significant cultural and sporting initiatives,” the statement said.
Drawing parallels between volleyball and the country’s growth, the PM said, “I see so many parallels between India’s development story and volleyball. Volleyball teaches us that no victory is achieved alone. Our success depends on our coordination, our trust, and our team’s readiness. Everyone has a role to play, a responsibility to fulfil. And we only succeed when everyone performs their role diligently and seriously. Our country is also progressing in the same way.”
Jay Shah shares India’s dream to host Olympics
Earlier, Jay Shah, the ICC Chairman, had also spoken about India’s dream of hosting the Olympics. However, he didn’t stop there as he also spoke about how the nation needs to register bigger medal hauls to make a name for itself on the world stage.
“The Prime Minister has brought the Commonwealth Games to India in 2030, but we shouldn’t stop there. We must also bring the 2036 Olympics to India. We won eight medals in the 2024 Olympics, but I want to tell you all that eight medals won’t be enough in 2036,” said Shah in his speech as he flagged off the Run for Girl Child Half Marathon 2.0 in Surat.
“We have to win at least 100 medals. Of those 100 medals, we will win at least 10 from Gujarat. I have complete faith in that,” he added.
