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After submitting a 'Letter of Intent' to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to host the 2036 Summer Olympics, it is learnt that a proposal will be submitted to the global body detailing how India plans to host the biggest sporting extravaganza. As per the IOC, at least 10 other countries have shown interest in hosting the 2036 edition of the Olympics, which includes Saudi Arabia and Qatar. However, a decision on the host city can only be expected post 2026.
Despite that India have already started taking steps towards securing the bid, with the first being building promising sports infrastructure, which as per a report by the Indian Express are already underway. The report mentioned that India plans to conduct multiple sporting disciplines across the country with Bhubaneswar projected to host hockey, rowing in Bhopal, canoeing and kayaking in Pune, and cricket in Mumbai. Ahmedabad, on the other hand, is seen as the main city to host the 2036 Summer Games.
“This is something in the making. How the final picture will look, none of us know right now. We will make a plan and present it to the IOC. Based on those conversations, decisions will be taken,” an official was quoted as saying by the national daily. “We want to take the sports to other parts of India and make it a movement for the full country.”
Projects worth over Rs 6,000 crore
The report mentioned that projects worth over Rs 6000 crore are planned in Ahmedabad and “will go ahead, irrespective of whether India’s bid for the Games is successful.”
Naranpura Sports Complex: This is one such ongoing project in Ahmedabad and is expected to be opened for elite athletes and public by March this year. It spreads over 20.39 acres and around Rs 631.77 crore has been splashed to build the multi-purpose facility, which includes Olympic-sized indoor swimming pool, basketball, volleyball and badminton courts, gymnastics, kabaddi, wrestling and taekwondo arenas, table-tennis room, and a centre of excellence for all these sports.
Apart from Naranpura, the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (SVP) Sports Enclave and Karai Sports Hub are two other projects targeted to host events. The SVP Sports Enclave is a 355-acre area and is adjacent to the Narendra Modi Stadium in Motera, while Karai Sports Hub boasts of 143 acres.
The Gujarat Olympic Planning and Infrastructure Limited issued a tender inviting bids to appoint consultants to develop SVP Sports Enclave and Karai Sports Hub last month. As mentioned in the report, the SVP Sports Enclave also include the Narendra Modi Stadium, which has a multi-purpose indoor arena, aquatics and tennis centres as permanent venues. The enclave, on the other hand, will act as "temporary venues” for volleyball, 3×3 basketball, sport climbing and urban sports.
Athletics, on the other hand, will be held in Karai, where a 35,000-seater stadium is also being constructed. The Karai Police Academy will house the shooting complex.
The deadline to complete the project is 2028.
