Reports | Sports ministry yet to receive formal proposal regarding hosting of 2032 Olympics
Although the IOA has expressed its wish of hosting multi-sports events, including the Summer Olympics in 2032, the union sports ministry has informed that it is yet to get any formal proposal from the IOA in this regard. The ministry also stated that it is IOA’s duty to bid for sporting events.
International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach was on a visit to India in April last year and during that time, the president of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) Narinder Batra had expressed his desire to host various sporting events in India. The list of multi-sports events included the Youth Olympics, Asian Games in 2030 and Olympics in 2032. However, the union sports ministry has informed parliament that the IOA has not made any formal proposal towards this.
“No proposal has been received in this ministry from the IOA for permission to apply for hosting of the Olympics/Youth Olympics in India,” the ministry informed the parliament, reported TOI.
“As per the guidelines issued by this ministry, the IOA has to seek approval of the government before bidding for such events,” the ministry added.
Answering to a query from Lok Sabha member Bidyut Baran Mahato, the ministry also replied that the IOC has already lifted the suspension on India hosting international events. India was handed over a ban on hosting the events after the Pakistani shooters were not allowed to take part in the ISSF World Cup in Delhi following the Pulwama Terror Attack in February earlier this year.
“As informed by the IOA, the IOC had suspended discussions with the IOA regarding the potential applications for hosting future sports and Olympic related events in India until clear written guarantees from the government to ensure entry of all participants in such events.”
“The ministry informed the IOA and the IOC on June 18, 2019 that the stated policy of the government is to permit all qualified athletes belonging to any national Olympic committee recognised by it or any national federation affiliated to the international federation to participate in international sporting events in India,” the ministry replied.