Image Source: Eventfaqs
As India presses its international bid for the 2036 Summer Olympics, Telangana’s capital, Hyderabad, has boldly carved out its aspiration to be the prime host. Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has made a passionate and high-profile push in recent months, underscoring Hyderabad’s world-class infrastructure, sporting legacy, and its unique potential to stage one of the greatest global sporting events in history.
Hyderabad’s Olympic Vision
Speaking at high-profile platforms, including the India Today Conclave and sporting events like the NMDC Hyderabad Marathon, CM Revanth Reddy repeatedly outlined the city's readiness. Stressing that Hyderabad’s sports, urban infrastructure, and amenities far outpace many Indian contenders—“100 times better than Ahmedabad”—the Chief Minister insisted the city must be considered at the very front of India’s 2036 Olympic pitch.
“If the Miss World pageant can be conducted in Hyderabad, why not the Olympics?” he asked, referencing the city’s forthcoming hosting of the international beauty pageant, among a long list of global sporting and cultural events that have included the World Military Games, National Games, and Afro-Asian Games.
Concrete Steps and Government Initiatives
Hyderabad’s Olympic ambitions are backed by a swathe of government plans:
Stadium Upgrades: The state has begun upgrading stadiums and major venues to meet international standards. The Gachibowli Sports Village—already spread over 70acres with modern training facilities—is the centerpiece, with plans for further sophistication and expansion.
Young India Sports University: Telangana is establishing a dedicated sports university modeled after international counterparts, such as the Korean National Sports University. The goal is to train athletes to Olympic standards, leveraging both Indian and international coaching.
Integrated Sports Hub: The government aims to bring all major stadia—LB Stadium, Hakimpet Sports School, Saroornagar Indoor Stadium, cycling velodromes—under one Sports Hub, linking management and athlete pipelines under a single administrative roof.
Policy Overhaul: A new sports policy is being crafted, not just to enhance performance but to provide incentives for Olympic medalists, invest in grassroots talent, and forge partnerships with universities and foreign coaches.
Engagement with the Centre and National Stakeholders
Revanth Reddy has formalized Hyderabad’s Olympic pitch with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, seeking not just political endorsement but a ₹100crore grant to further boost sports infrastructure. The state is also positioning itself to host tournaments like the 2026 Khelo India Games and has requested to stage at least two Olympic disciplines if India wins the 2036 bid.
Beyond facilities, the government is advocating for policy changes—like restoring train fare concessions for athletes—and forging MOUs with prominent global sporting institutions, all designed to underpin the city’s Olympic readiness.
Why Hyderabad?
National and international sports analysts echo this confidence. Senior journalist Rajdeep Sardesai recently referred to Hyderabad as “India’s future-ready metropolis, blending old-world charm with new-age energy,” highlighting its strengths in infrastructure, land availability, multicultural ethos, and a rich sports legacy—particularly in producing Olympic athletes like PV Sindhu, Sania Mirza, and Nikhat Zareen.
Hyderabad’s cosmopolitan identity, project efficiency, and history of successfully hosting world events make it uniquely equipped to take on an Olympic Games—an argument Telangana’s leadership boldly brings to the national table.
The Road Ahead
While the Indian Olympic Association and government are yet to finalize the city for India’s formal Olympic bid—with cities like Ahmedabad also laying claim—Hyderabad’s proactive vision places it in the spotlight. Preparatory dialogues at national “Chintan Shivirs” (strategic sporting vision meets) in Hyderabad this year underscore the city’s growing influence in India’s global sporting ambitions.
The coming years will be critical as India’s Olympic host selection unfolds, IOC timelines progress, and state-level plans translate into groundwork. For now, Hyderabad stands tall as a city fueled by ambition, expertise, and sporting pride—ready to carry the torch of the 2036 Olympic dream.
Relevant Sources: Times of India, Deccan Chronicle, EventFAQs Bureau, Telangana Today, Press Information Bureau, OneIndia
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