sportsdesk@hindustantimes.com
New Delhi/Mumbai/Ahmedabad: Ahmedabad is set to be the cornerstone of India’s bid for 2036 Olympics even as few sports could be held in other cities in line with the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) push for cost-effectiveness and sustainability. Officials in the know said that the possibility of hosting hockey in Bhubaneswar, canoeing and kayaking in Pune, equestrian and rowing in Bhopal, and sailing in Chennai were being explored but the Gujarat city will remain at the front and centre of India’s push to host a maiden Olympics.
“If India does come into serious contention to host the Olympics — and that is still some way down the line — the crux of the Games will be in Ahmedabad,” a top official of the Gujarat State Olympic Association (GSOA) said. The official, however, said that India presenting a few existing venues in its pitch to boost its credentials against stiff competition. “But that could be just for the pitch. Once there’s greater clarity, and the work-in-progress venues in Ahmedabad take shape, most sports will remain here,” the official added.
Another official involved in the planning of infrastructure projects in Ahmedabad said the city will remain at the “core” of India’s bid. “But we can also look at existing sports infrastructure in other cities. Cricket, for example, can also take place in multiple stadiums. Pune can host canoeing and kayaking. However, no formal proposal has been made,” this official added.
Sports minister Mansukh Mandaviya was in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday, visiting the Kalinga Stadium where he met Odisha sports secretary Bhaskar Jyoti Sarma. Apart from holding a host of international hockey events, the 16,000-capacity Kalinga Stadium also hosted the last two hockey World Cups in 2018 and 2023.
“Internal discussions have been taking place for some time but there is nothing concrete yet. Yes, there is a possibility (of Bhubaneswar hosting hockey at the 2036 Olympics) but all those decisions will be taken in New Delhi,” a second official said.
India, in the run-up to the Olympics, is set to bid for a slew of international events such as the 2028 U-20 athletics World Championships and 2030 Youth Olympics besides hosting Asian Sailing Championships and World Athletics Bronze Level Continental Tour later this year, and BWF World Championships in 2026.
Besides India, Qatar, Turkey, South Korea and Saudi Arabia among others are also in the fray for hosting the 2036 Games. Seoul, that hosted the 1988 Games, has already conducted feasibility assessments.
To be sure, the bid committee that will present India’s case to the IOC is still to be formed. “There are elections in the IOC in March (18-21) and after that we are expecting a meeting with the IOC hosts commission,” said an IOA official.
At the Paris Olympics, sailing took place in Marseille (about three hours by train from Paris) while surfing was held farther away in Tahiti.
For such sports, India will need to look at venues outside Ahmedabad. However, city’s Sabramati Riverfront, the GSOA official said, can also be considered.
It is understood that the work on three ambitious infrastructure projects in Ahmedabad — which will go ahead irrespective of the Olympics coming to India or not — are in progress. Naranpura Sports Complex, the multi-purpose facility spread over 20 acres, is set to be completed in March while Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sports Enclave around the Narendra Modi Stadium area, will take “a few more years”.
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sports Enclave has already undergone multiple reviews by authorities for critical aspects such as fire evacuation. Being built for a projected cost of ₹6,000 crore, it can be a likely venue for aquatics and tennis. Work on the Karai Sports Hub in Gandhinagar, where athletics and shooting events could be staged, is undergoing renovation with an overlay of ₹1,200cr- ₹1,500 crore.
