India to Establish High-Performance Training Centres for 10 Sports Ahead of Ambitious 2036 Olympic Bid
In a landmark development that signals India's intensified focus on the global sporting stage, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has announced plans to set up dedicated high-performance training centres for 10 Olympic sports across the country. These centres will serve as the cornerstone of India’s long-term Olympic strategy, particularly as the nation strengthens its campaign to host the 2036 Summer Olympics.
Top sources in the Sports Ministry confirmed that the training hubs will be state-of-the-art facilities aimed at nurturing world-class athletes and enhancing India’s medal prospects in the years to come. The project is designed to not only elevate India’s sports infrastructure but also to foster a pan-India sporting culture, reaching beyond traditional strongholds and into tier-2 and tier-3 cities.
Each centre will focus on a specific Olympic discipline, potentially including athletics, wrestling, boxing, shooting, badminton, hockey, weightlifting, swimming, judo, and archery — sports in which India has either established global presence or shown significant improvement in recent editions of the Olympics and continental games.
The centres will feature modern training equipment, scientific support teams, sports psychologists, physiotherapists, and international-level coaching staff, ensuring that athletes receive world-class preparation. In addition, the government is considering partnerships with leading sports nations to bring in best practices and facilitate exchange programmes.
This initiative is a key part of India's broader vision to not just participate in the Olympics but to emerge as a sporting superpower by 2036.
Formal Bid to Host 2036 Olympics Already in Motion
India's aspiration to host the 2036 Games took a formal turn when the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) submitted a Letter of Intent to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in October 2024. This move signaled the beginning of India's official bid to host the biggest sporting event on the planet — a dream that has now entered a structured and competitive phase.
The submission was made to the IOC’s Future Host Commission, which oversees and evaluates prospective bids. The development was first reported by India Today in November 2024 and has since generated considerable excitement in both sporting and political circles.
India is not alone in the race. Countries such as Mexico, Indonesia, Turkey, Poland, Egypt, and South Korea have also expressed interest, setting the stage for a rigorous selection process by the IOC. The committee will evaluate each nation’s bid based on infrastructure readiness, financial viability, public support, security, environmental sustainability, and the long-term legacy the event would leave behind.
Prime Minister Modi: “Olympics Will Take Indian Sports to New Heights”
The bid for the 2036 Olympics has received strong political backing at the highest level. Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 38th National Games in Dehradun, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaffirmed India’s commitment to securing the hosting rights and said that bringing the Olympics to Indian soil would be a transformational moment for Indian sports.
“We are pushing for hosting rights for the 2036 Olympics. It will take Indian sports to new heights,” PM Modi said.“Wherever the Olympics happen, all sectors benefit — from infrastructure to tourism, employment to international partnerships. It also creates better facilities for athletes, which have a lasting impact.”
The Prime Minister emphasized that sports are integral to India’s vision of development and are no longer considered a secondary priority.
“We are focused on enhancing the capabilities of our athletes and giving them the support they need. Sports is not just a hobby, it is a force that unites and empowers a nation,” he added.
Momentum Building Amid Growing Global Presence
India’s Olympic bid comes at a time when the nation is witnessing a steady rise in sporting performance. The last few years have seen record medal hauls at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Paris 2024 Olympics, Asian Games, and Commonwealth Games. Initiatives such as the Khelo India programme, Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), and greater investments in grassroots sports are now beginning to yield results.
India’s successful hosting of events such as the 2023 G20 Summit, FIFA U-17 World Cups, Asian Athletics Championships, and the 2023 Cricket World Cup have already proven its ability to manage mega international sporting events.
What Lies Ahead
The 2036 Summer Olympics host is expected to be finalized by the IOC in the coming years, after extensive discussions, inspections, and stakeholder evaluations. Until then, India is expected to ramp up its efforts by unveiling detailed city plans, probable venue locations, infrastructure development blueprints, and legacy proposals that will convince the global Olympic community of its readiness.
Los Angeles, USA, and Brisbane, Australia, have already been confirmed as hosts for the 2028 and 2032 Olympics respectively. If successful, India would become the fourth Asian nation — after Japan, South Korea, and China — to host the Summer Games.
IOC President Thomas Bach acknowledged the surge in global interest for 2036, saying, “We’ve seen strong early enthusiasm from several countries. The Games are evolving, and so is the process of choosing future hosts. We’re excited by the breadth and diversity of bids.”
