Only 10.4 per cent of India's 'mapped and completed sports infrastructure' meet Olympic standards: Report

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Only 1,645 and 2,473 completed sporting infrastructure and completed sporting facilities meet the Olympic standards. These cover 334 districts across India. read more

 Report

India have bid to host the 2036 Olympics, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing full confidence. PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently expressed confidence in India’s aspirations to host the 2036 Olympics, but as per a report in the Business Standard, just 10.4 per cent of India’s “mapped and completed sports infrastructure” that covers all states and Union Territories (UTs) are up to the mark of meeting Olympic standards. This, however, excludes upcoming sports infrastructure projects.

As per Khelo India statistics provided by the government, there are 15,822 completed sports infrastructure and 20,823 completed sports facilities across 737 districts. But only 1,645 and 2,473 completed sporting infrastructure and completed sporting facilities meet the Olympic standards. These cover 334 districts across India.

Read | India dream to host 2036 Olympics: How hosts are selected, competitors, and ongoing preparations

As far as Olympic-standard sports facilities are concerned, badminton leads the way with 314 courts across the country. Football, with 301 grounds is next on the list, and that is followed by volleyball (270) and athletics (221).

Among Olympic-standard completed sporting infrastructure, Tamil Nadu is on top with 390 infrastructure. Delhi (161) is next and is followed by Odisha (153) and Tripura (109).

Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar and Meghalaya do not have Olympic-level sporting infrastructure currently.

There are 111 volleyball courts in Tamil Nadu, 92 track and field arenas and 71 football grounds which are of Olympic-level. Delhi is home to 53 Olympic-level swimming pools and 51 basketball courts. Odisha has 83 football fields and 43 track and field arenas.

Gujarat has just 43 sports infrastructure which are Olympic-level, with 18 multi-sports complex buildings which are owned by the stage government, union government and private institutions. All these, however, do not come under the Khelo India scheme. Motera in Gujarat is already home to the Narendra Modi International Cricket Stadium, which is the largest cricket stadium in the world.

Read | How Gujarat government is working towards making 2036 Olympics in India a reality

That, however, is not part of the Khelo India scheme. Another upcoming project in Motera is the Sardar Vallabhai Patel Sports Enclave, which is said to be a stepping stone in India’s bid to host the 2036 Olympics.

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