Kabaddi, Kho Kho And Yoga May Register Their Presence In 2036 Olympics As India Ups Ante To Become Host

As India intensifies its bid to host the 2036 Olympics, there is a strong likelihood that it will also advocate for the inclusion of yoga in the sports programme, as per a report by The Indian Express.

Yoga is one of six sports that the Mission Olympics Cell, operating under the Sports Ministry, believes could be proposed for inclusion in the Olympics. Twenty20 cricket, kabaddi, chess, squash and kho kho are the other five sports.

This idea was initially discussed in December of last year, two months after Prime Minister Narendra Modi formally expressed India’s interest in hosting the 2036 Olympics during a meeting of the Sports Authority of India’s Mission Olympic Cell (MOC).

The MOC comprises some of India’s top former athletes, senior federation officials, and representatives from the Sports Ministry and Sports Authority of India.

A six-page summary of recommendations for the 2036 Olympics highlights the need to create a safe environment by conducting awareness sessions on the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (PoSH) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO), tackling doping, holding federations accountable, focusing on grassroots development, training coaches and referees, and building more infrastructure.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) allows the organising committee of a particular edition of the games to propose the inclusion of one or more sports that are popular in the host region. For example, karate debuted at the Tokyo Games, and Los Angeles will feature flag football, a sport widely played in the US.

For a sport to be considered for inclusion, it must be governed by an international federation recognised by the IOC. Notably, during the Paris Olympics next month, yoga classes will be held as an exhibition at the Louvre.

Several countries have expressed their interest in hosting the 2036 games, which is the earliest available slot. The 2024 Olympics will be held in Paris starting 26 July, followed by Los Angeles in 2028 and Brisbane in 2032.

The IOC has initiated preliminary discussions with the Indian Olympic Association and the Sports Ministry. However, a decision on the host is not expected for at least a year or two.

India has been ramping up its efforts, with the 2036 Olympic bid mentioned in the BJP’s election manifesto, signaling the government’s commitment. Next month in Paris, an ‘India House’ will be set up to attract top IOC members and lobby for the 2036 Olympics.