The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is open to funding more sports to further India’s Olympic Dream. The Indian Cricket Board is the richest in the world and is mulling to aiding other sports to reach the same heights as cricket has done. As per reports, the BCCI could adopt 2-3 more sports and fund and develop players in a bid to raise India’s Olympic prospects.
BCCI to fund development of 2-3 Olympic sports
As per an Indian Express report, the BCCI recently expressed their interest in the Sports Ministry’s plan to establish sporting centres across the country. Following a disappointing show at the Paris Olympics, the Indian government has stepped up its efforts to ensure better results. The quadrennial event moves to Los Angeles in 2028, and the IOA has stepped up its preparations.
The report states that alongside BCCI, major corporate houses and PSUs are interested in funding some of the Olympic training centres. Each of the centres will be dedicated to a specific sport. While the Sports Authority of India (SAI) have 23 centres across the country, only 3 are dedicated to specific sports. The BCCI have recent expertise in that department, having set up the new National Cricket Academy complex near Bengaluru.
The sports ministry plans to create many such centres where 100-200 athletes are identified. They will then train from one Olympics to the next, with training and rehabilitation tailored to their needs.
“Today, there was a meeting of the sports minister with 58 corporates. They expressed their interest towards such an initiative. The likes of the BCCI are ready to take care of all the expenses of two or three sports,” the source said while speaking to Indian Express.
BCCI aiming for Odisha like success?
Hockey India’s involvement with the Odisha government saw the team’s fortunes change over the last few years. Struggling for sponsorship, the Odisha government became a partner, and the result is there to see. Not only did Odisha give financial aid, but the state built infrastructure to support the sport. It is now the country’s hockey capital. It all came to fruition when the men’s team won the bronze at the Paris Olympics.
BCCI would hope for similar returns. The Indian cricket board is no stranger to chipping in financially for the Indian Olympic Association. Before the Paris Olympics, BCCI pledged Rs 8.5 crore to prepare for the event.
“BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla has expressed interest in developing Olympic training centres with no cost to the government. There are sports like baseball which are similar to cricket and the BCCI can do great work there,” the source added.
Unlike Odisha, BCCI’s investment, however, is likely to remain targeted at the centre and the athletes. The Indian Cricket Board has transformed how cricketers are looked after. Players often rehabilitate under best-in-class staff, and training methods have been updated to maximise performance. Such expertise would be invaluable for India’s Olympians, aiding their preparations for Los Angeles.
Cash-rich BCCI to fund India’s Olympic dream, open to funding 2-3 sports: Report Inside Sport India.
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