BCCI's Initiative to Support Olympic Sports in India
BCCI's Commitment to Non-Cricket Sports
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is taking steps to promote sports beyond cricket. With cricket now recognized as an Olympic sport, the BCCI's efforts to elevate other athletic disciplines are seen as a significant move.
Currently, India lacks numerous specialized training facilities, prompting the BCCI to plan the establishment of at least three additional centers. This initiative aligns with the Sports Ministry's objective to create dedicated Olympic training hubs nationwide. Reports suggest that the BCCI may prioritize sports akin to cricket, such as baseball.
Funding and Support from Corporate Entities
A trusted source from the Sports Ministry indicated that various corporate partners, alongside the BCCI, are prepared to finance these specialized centers, each dedicated to a specific sport. The source stated,
“The ministry is looking to create Olympic centres for every sport where it will identify 100 to 200 talented athletes across the nation and train them across different age groups for this Olympic cycle and the next Olympic cycle.”
Corporate Interest in Olympic Training
Recently, the Sports Minister engaged with 58 corporate representatives who showed strong enthusiasm for this initiative. The BCCI has pledged to cover expenses for two or three sports, significantly enhancing the government's plans. The source added,
“BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla has expressed interest in developing Olympic training centres with no cost to the government. There are sports like baseball which are similar to cricket and the BCCI can do great work there.”
BCCI's Historical Support for Olympic Sports
The BCCI has a history of backing Olympic sports, having contributed Rs 8.5 crore to the Indian Olympic Association last year to support preparations for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
At present, India operates 23 National Centres of Excellence managed by the Sports Authority of India (SAI), but only three are dedicated to specific sports: Rohtak for boxing, and Delhi for both swimming and shooting. The new initiative aims to broaden this support and enhance training facilities for additional Olympic sports.
Involving Indian-Origin Players Abroad
The Sports Ministry is also considering strategies to boost India's competitive edge by including players of Indian descent living overseas, particularly in sports like football. Although Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) can live and work in India, they are currently prohibited from representing the country internationally due to a 2008 policy designed to foster local talent.