Gagan Narang Appointed Director of India's Revamped National Olympic Academy
Appointment of Gagan Narang
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has named Gagan Narang, an Olympic medalist and current Vice President of the IOA, as the Director of the newly relaunched National Olympic Academy (NOA). This appointment is a pivotal move aimed at enhancing India's framework for Olympic education and athlete development, as stated in an official release from the IOA.
Approval of the Appointment
This decision was ratified during the IOA Executive Council meeting on January 8, 2026, and received unanimous support from the IOA General House at its Annual General Meeting on January 9, 2026, both held in Ahmedabad.
Launch of the National Olympic Education and Development Programme (NOEDP)
The reactivation of the National Olympic Academy coincides with the introduction of the National Olympic Education and Development Programme (NOEDP). These initiatives reflect the IOA's renewed commitment to athlete-focused development, Olympic education, and institutional capacity enhancement, in line with global standards.
The NOEDP is designed as a comprehensive framework to provide structured education and development programs throughout India's Olympic ecosystem. It will be executed in partnership with National Sports Federations (NSFs) and State Olympic Associations (SOAs), ensuring extensive outreach from grassroots to elite levels.
Core Focus Areas of NOEDP
The NOEDP will concentrate on several key areas, including:
1. Education on Olympic values and ethics.
2. Holistic development of athletes.
3. Support for welfare and career transitions.
4. Capacity building for coaches, officials, and administrators.
5. Enhancing governance, leadership, and professionalism in sports organizations.
6. Developing long-term athlete development models that meet international standards.
Revitalization of the National Olympic Academy
The National Olympic Academy has been revitalized as the primary institution for Olympic education, research, and dialogue in India. Under Gagan Narang's leadership, the NOA will collaborate closely with athletes to address their educational needs, personal growth, leadership skills, and understanding of the Olympic movement, alongside their sports careers.
Additionally, the IOA General House has appointed P. T. Usha, the President of the Indian Olympic Association, as the President of the National Olympic Academy. This leadership will facilitate collaboration with the International Olympic Academy in Olympia, aligning India's Olympic education initiatives with the Olympic Charter and global best practices. This partnership will foster knowledge exchange, joint programs, research initiatives, and participation in international Olympic education forums.
'A Transformative Step for Indian Sports'
"The reactivation of the National Olympic Academy and the launch of the NOEDP represent a transformative step for Indian sports. For the first time, we are prioritizing structured Olympic education, athlete welfare, leadership development, and long-term career planning within our ecosystem, rather than treating them as secondary aspects. High performance cannot thrive in isolation from education, ethics, governance, and holistic development, and NOEDP effectively addresses this gap in a comprehensive manner," stated Gagan Narang.
"This initiative is timely. As India aims to become a leading sporting nation, we must invest not only in medals but also in people, systems, and institutions. Today's athletes require support that extends beyond training and competition; they need knowledge, life skills, career transition pathways, and a profound understanding of Olympic values. Through the National Olympic Academy and the NOEDP under the IOA Education Committee, we aspire to cultivate informed athletes, empowered coaches, and professional administrators who can collectively elevate the standards of Indian sports," he added.
"I am thankful to the IOA Executive Council and the General House for their confidence in me. I look forward to collaborating closely with President P. T. Usha, our National Sports Federations, State Olympic Associations, and the International Olympic Academy to establish an educational framework that is globally aligned yet deeply rooted in India's sporting context. I also anticipate support from the Government of India, corporations, and educational institutions to propel this initiative forward," Gagan Narang remarked.
Commitment to National Objectives
In alignment with the vision of Narendra Modi and Amit Shah, and India's goal of Viksit Bharat, the IOA has reaffirmed its commitment to placing athletes at the core of the Olympic movement while fortifying the institutions that support sports across the nation.