In a landmark development, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has expressed a willingness to fund Olympic training centres for two to three sports, without any financial burden on the Indian government. The initiative, confirmed by a Sports Ministry official, aligns with the ministry’s vision of specialized Olympic training hubs across the country.
“Today, the Sports Minister met with representatives from 58 corporate houses, including the BCCI,” the official stated. “The board showed interest in adopting entire sports disciplines, fully managing expenses related to athlete development and infrastructure.”
Private Sector to Boost India’s Olympic Ambitions
The ministry plans to set up Olympic-centric centres focusing on grooming 100–200 athletes per sport. These centres will cater to upcoming Olympic cycles, aiming for podium finishes at future Olympic Games. The involvement of affluent bodies like the BCCI could be a game-changer for sports like baseball, which share skillsets with cricket.
Vice President Rajeev Shukla of the BCCI has reportedly expressed support for the plan, stating that similar-to-cricket sports could see accelerated progress through BCCI-backed training.
Precedent of Support for Olympic Sports
This isn’t BCCI’s first foray into Olympic support. Prior to the 2024 Paris Olympics, the cricket board contributed ₹8.5 crore to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) for athlete preparations. This precedent builds confidence in BCCI’s capability to significantly improve Olympic readiness across disciplines.
Currently, India boasts 23 National Centres of Excellence, operated by the Sports Authority of India (SAI), but only three—Rohtak (boxing), Delhi (swimming and shooting)—are sport-specific. The proposed expansion could vastly improve India’s medal prospects in international events.
OCI Cardholders May Soon Represent India
Another major policy under review by the Sports Ministry is the eligibility of Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) to represent India in international events. Currently, a 2008 policy restricts representation to Indian passport holders. However, officials are now considering exceptions in weaker sports like football to allow the best talent, regardless of citizenship status.
“We are open to re-evaluating the OCI representation ban,” said a ministry source. “Especially in sports like football, we may allow Indian-origin players abroad to compete for India.”
Conclusion
The BCCI’s potential adoption of Olympic sports training reflects a new era of private-public partnership in Indian sports. If executed, it could create a ripple effect, inspiring more corporates and institutions to invest in Olympic disciplines.
For continuous updates on this initiative and India’s Olympic roadmap, follow our Sports News section and our exclusive coverage on India’s Olympic development.
Tags: BCCI, Sports Ministry, Olympic training, Indian sports, OCI, Indian Football, Rajeev Shukla, National Centres of Excellence
Related: How BCCI is Transforming Non-Cricket Sports | India’s Olympic Vision 2028
