- G20 Summit as a Catalyst: The successful hosting of the G20 Summit in 2023 has revived global confidence in India’s ability to organize large-scale events, setting the stage for India’s bid to host the 2036 Olympics.
- India’s Olympic Ambitions: India is actively pursuing the bid to host the 2036 Olympic Games, aligning with its broader goal of gaining international recognition. The government is learning from past Olympic events to ensure flawless execution.
- Promotion of Traditional Indian Sports: The growing popularity of traditional Indian sports like Kabaddi and Kho-Kho, have gained national and international attention. These sports could be highlighted in future Olympic Games as part of India’s cultural heritage.
- Economic and Social Impact: Hosting the Olympics could bring significant economic benefits, including infrastructural growth, tourism, and employment. The G20 Summit has already demonstrated India’s readiness to handle the logistical challenges of such large-scale events.
India has gained momentum by hosting the G20 Summit 2023 for its upcoming bid to host the 2036 Olympics. The successful outcome of the G20 event not only restored global confidence in India’s ability to organize large-scale events but also unlocked the nation’s potential to become a global sports destination. This article explores the effects of the G20 summit on India’s Olympic dreams, the rise of new-generation Indian sports such as Kabaddi and Kho-Kho, and other impacts on the sporting industry in India.
While India secured six medals in the recent Olympics—one silver and five bronze—there is significant room for improvement in future Games.
The G20 Summit: A Catalyst for Change
Hosting the G20 summit in India, with leaders from different countries gathering, was a much-discussed topic. It proved to be a mega success as the event was organized in 60-70 locations across the country. Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that this year’s summit effectively addressed the negative perceptions generated by the much-hyped but corrupt and scandal-ridden 2010 Commonwealth Games. The G20 experience has revived public faith in India’s capability to host such a large global event. In an interview, Modi detailed how the G20 meeting demonstrated that Bharat is now capable of hosting a major global event like the Olympics.
The successful decentralized management of the G20 summit serves as a blueprint for organizing other mega-events, such as the Olympics. To ensure proper planning and cost management, Modi’s government has assembled a team to investigate and draw lessons from previous Olympic Games, such as Atlanta 1996. This proactive approach indicates that India is committed to learning from the best in the world to ensure that the 2036 Olympics are executed flawlessly.
India’s Bid to Host the 2036 Olympics
India’s desire to host the 2036 Olympic Games aligns with its broader objective of gaining international recognition. The Prime Minister’s statement at the IOC session in Mumbai, where he emphasized that the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) will leave no stone unturned in its pursuit of the Indian Olympics, underscores this ambition.
In recent years, the IOC has worked towards sustainable and economically feasible hosting models, as opposed to the conventional homogeneous mega-sports events. This shift creates an opportunity for India to propose an Olympic bid tailored to its economic, social, and environmental conditions. These factors remain under consideration when planning multidimensional events, and the successful conduct of the G20 summit has proven India’s readiness to host such large-scale events.
Economic and Social Implications
Organizing the Olympics goes beyond just the games; it brings together economic and social phenomena. For example, the Tokyo 2020 Olympics cost approximately fifteen times more than the Rio Olympics in 2016. To follow suit, India must work towards a robust financial organizing and controlling agenda, proposing a significant increase in the sports budget from ₹3,062 crores ($377 million) to at least ₹10,000 crores ($1,000 million).
Moreover, the Olympics can foster infrastructural growth, tourism, and employment. The G20 summit has already set a precedent for increasing India’s potential in infrastructure, which will be essential for Olympic preparations.
The Rise of Traditional Indian Sports
In addition to standard sports, the G20 summit in India set a new trend by localizing the event and making it a people’s event. This approach can be replicated with the Olympics in India, using it as a platform to popularize traditional Indian games like Kabaddi and Kho-Kho. Although these sports are originally related to India, they are slowly and steadily gaining acceptance and participation nationally and internationally.
Kabaddi
Over the years, interest in Kabaddi has grown, particularly following the formation of the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL). The league has emerged as the professional version of Kabaddi and has garnered a significant following and sponsorship. Kabaddi’s success in the Asian Games, where India has consistently excelled, further solidifies its status as a competitive sport. The G20 summit’s focus on culture has opened up possibilities for promoting traditional sports, including the potential inclusion of Kabaddi in future Olympic Games. With teams from countries like England, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Iran, and South Korea participating in Kabaddi, the sport has a strong case for Olympic inclusion.
Kho-Kho
Similarly, another popular Indian sport, Kho-Kho, has experienced a revival in recent years. Efforts to promote the game in schools, colleges, and universities, along with the formation of professional leagues, have contributed to its growth. Including Kho-Kho in the competitive sports category can enhance its exposure, benefiting young enthusiasts who are interested in the game.
The rise of these traditional sports aligns with India’s broader sporting vision, which seeks to create a barrier-free sporting environment. By successfully introducing lesser-known games like Kabaddi and Kho-Kho alongside more widely recognized sports, India can showcase its cultural values on the global stage.
Conclusion
In conclusion, hosting the G20 summit was a pivotal moment in shaping India’s quest for the 2036 Olympic Games. The effective management of the summit has paved the way for future mega-event management, restoring international confidence in India’s ability to stage such events.
Before India finalizes its Olympic bid, the focus should not only be on promoting international standard sports but also on elevating traditional Indian sports like Kabaddi and Kho-Kho. By embracing its cultural heritage and focusing on developing sports facilities, India can prepare for the 2036 Olympics and demonstrate its capabilities to the world.
Preparing for the Olympics is not just about organizing a sporting event; it’s about uniting the population, encouraging people of all ages and abilities to participate in sports, and leaving a positive sporting legacy for future generations. Building on the momentum of the G20 summit, India is poised to turn its Olympic vision into reality and set new benchmarks in sports and cultural diplomacy.
(Parag is pursuing a Master’s in Global Affairs at OP Jindal Global University. He has a keen interest in the areas of Sports Diplomacy and Economic Diplomacy. Views expressed are the author’s own)
Aayush Pal 
Sindhuri Sai