India to pitch for inclusion of Kabaddi in 2036 Olympics Bid

As India scales up efforts to get more interested in hosting the Olympics 2036, Kabaddi, one of the most popular sports in India could possibly feature in the world’s most popular sporting event- the Olympics.

A committee called Mission Olympics Cell (MOC), which works under the Sports Ministry of India, has listed Kabaddi among the 6 sports to get included in the 2036 Olympics. This move just shows that Kabaddi is slowly being taken globally and the possibility of it entertaining people when it comes to the Olympics.

The notion of creating a place in the Olympics for Kabaddi began in December 2022 when the newly elected prime minister of India Narendra Modi officially declared India’s bid to host this prestigious event. The MOC, which includes some of the most famous former Indian athletes, officials of various sports ministries and the heads of major Indian sports federations, is leading the Indian bid for the Olympics.

However, it is a giant push, but not certain, that has come with the inclusion of Kabaddi in the Olympics. The IOC also provide power to the host country to nominate one or more sport that are popular within the countries. Some recent examples include Karate which was contested at the Tokyo Olympics 2020, and the USA bidding to propose the sport of flag football to be hosted in Los Angeles Olympics 2028, although this is a sport that is not well known internationally but is very popular in the United States of America.

Nevertheless, these are comparative criteria that must be fulfilled. The sport must be governed by an internationally recognised federation which Kabaddi does in order to meet the criteria. However, Yoga, which is another sport included on the list proposed by India will be featured at the next Olympics in Paris as an exhibition sport but did not get a chance to go for the medal round.

But the challenge does not end for India here as there are many other countries that are capable of giving tough competition in the race for the 2036 Games. It was revealed that, several countries have shown their interest for hosting the Olympic Games in 2036. The Paris 2024 Olympics will be held in July, while the Summer Olympics 2028 will be hosted in Los Angeles and Summer Olympics 2032 in Brisbane.

A choice of the host may still take one or two years to be made, but India does not sit idle in the mean time. The concept of 2036 Olympics is an election promise that was stated in BJP’smanifesto and as such, the government demonstrates its support. Also, an “India House” will be constructed in Paris next month exclusively for the purpose of reaching out to the key IOC members and push for the bid of the 2036 Olympics.

The focus is not only the inclusion of Kabaddi but encompasses all elements of the MOC. In it, they have listed some measures to improve India’s Olympic readiness with particular focus on eradicating doping. India today stands as a major culprit and it is occupying the first place in the list presented by the World Anti-Doping Agency - WADA. In response to this, the MOC outlined that a ‘comprehensive and active doping control program with out of competition high incidence tests’, sophisticated scientific laboratories, and a whistleblower mechanism will be implemented. They also call for more awareness creation through numerous sensitisation campaigns aimed at the atheletes, trainers, parents, and other officials in sports organization and related bodies.

Proposed strategies include: ‘Connecting and aligning sources of funding with performance and development plans’ ‘Immediate professional governance structures within federations’. This is done through CEO selection, high performance directors, and recruitment of the highest qualified foreign or Indian coaches.

Understanding the said perspectives, it is imperative to consider that the addition of Kabaddi to the list of Olympic games will be perceived as an historical event for the development of the sport and a reason for proud emotions among the population of the country. This is the path that requires planning and a look at critical issues such as the doping of athletes in order to prepare for the Olympic contests. The major factors, backed by imagination and determination, which would make any bid a feasible and realistic venture, can make India achieve the 2036 Olympics Games along with placing Kabaddi on the world sporting arena.