All eyes will be on Mumbai next week as the International Olympic Committee (IOC) kicks off its India visit on October 15 for the annual Session. Thomas Bach, IOC President, arrived in Mumbai on October 10, days ahead of the meet, and was received by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
The IOC and its objectives
Held on an annual basis, the IOC Session is a general meeting of the IOC members to undertake critical decisions related to host nations/cities for upcoming international sporting events, the election of IOC members and office-bearers, inclusion or exclusion of sports and federations, as well as amendments in the Olympic Charter. Decisions taken at these meetings are ultimate, given the critical nature of the sessions.
The IOC Session in Mumbai, which will be held from October 15 to 17, marks the 141st session of the sports body. India first hosted an IOC Session in 1983, which was held at the national capital Delhi.
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In February 2022, the Nita Ambani-led Indian delegation presented a compelling pitch at the 139th IOC session in Beijing. It would also be interesting to note that Nita Ambani is the first woman from India to be elected as an IOC member. She has also been an IOC Member in India since 2016.
Olympic dreams
Winning 99 percent of the votes, Mumbai found an overwhelming response from delegates, which also included sharp-shooter Abhinav Bindra - who brought home India's first individual Olympics medal back in 2008.
As the Chairperson of Reliance Foundation, Nita Ambani has played a pioneering role in ramping up youth sports in the country. The foundation's sporting initiatives, with a nation-wide penetration, have touched the lives of 2.15 crore youth across India. Expressing her delight in Mumbai's winning bid for the 141st session of the IOC, Nita Ambani defined it as a “significant development” for India’s Olympic dreams.
“The Olympic Movement is back to India after a 40-year wait! I am truly grateful to the International Olympic Committee for entrusting India with the honour of hosting the IOC Session in Mumbai in 2023,” she had said. “This will be a significant development for India’s Olympic aspiration and will herald the start of a new era for Indian sport.”
Opening doors
The 141st IOC session will be a historical moment for Indian sport, bolstering the nation's position on the global track. It is anticipated to open up a plethora of opportunities for India to hold sporting events, equip the nation with world-class training infrastructure, along with nurturing the talent of Indian sportspeople.
Not just this. It will also be a significant game-changer for India's role in the Olympics arena, and help realise its dreams of hosting the Youth Olympics and the Olympic Games in the country, believes Nita Ambani.
“Sport has always been a beacon of hope and inspiration for millions around the world,” she had highlighted. “We are one of the youngest countries in the world today and I’m excited for the youth of India to embrace and experience first-hand the magic of the Olympics. It is our dream to strengthen this partnership further and host the Olympic Games in India in the years to come!”
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The IOC session will be held at the state-of-the-art Jio World Convention Centre (JWC) in Mumbai. Situated at Bandra Kurla Complex, the JWC is India's largest convention centre, which commenced operations in early 2022.
The opening ceremony will be hosted at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) grand theatre, and the session meet will be held at the the exhibition hall (pavilion).
India - The Rising Sportstar
India recently put up an exemplary performance in the 19th Asian Games in China. For the first time in its history, India topped the three-digit medal tally, clinching 107 medals in the games. After China, Japan and the Republic of Korea, it is now the fourth country to have more than 100 medals in its tally in a single Asiad.
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The 655-member Indian contingent fired on all guns at the Asian Games this year, across 41 categories, claiming a total of 28 gold, 38 silvers and 41 bronze medals. This is, by far, the best medal tally for India which has now set a benchmark for itself, eclipsing its past achievements across all categories. In the 18th Asian Games held in the Indonesian capital Jakarta, India had bagged a total of 70 medals.
The Indian archers and shooters team had a key role behind India's highest medal haul this year at the games. These athletes, supported by the Reliance Foundation, the CSR arm of Nita Ambani-led Reliance Industries Limited, contributed 12 medals to the total medal tally.
Dream Run
The IOC's 141st session in Mumbai comes at a crucial time for India which has meticulously cemented its position on the international track with a slew of spectacular performances in the last couple of years. It is only the right time for India to find organic ways to get closer to its Olympic aspirations by strategically leveraging the "coming of age of Indian athletics".
The nation has now taken center stage, and Mumbai being the host of the 141st IOC Session will be one among the many avenues that would ensure India keeps ramping up its performances in the international circuit. The inflow of funds, monetary support for sports infrastructure, athletics training, and sports management are among the key issues which are anticipated to be addressed as a consequence of the IOC's meeting in Mumbai next week.
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