Indian Army Hosts Army Sports Conclave 2024

New Delhi- The Indian Army hosted the much-awaited Army Sports Conclave 2024 on September 30. The conclave was aimed at bringing together various stakeholders and promoting collaboration for the future of Indian sports.

The conclave was held in Delhi and emphasised the importance of building strong collaborations with the Indian Olympics Association, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and National Sports Federations to enhance the country's global sporting goals. The Armed Forces have a long history of contributing to India's sporting success, particularly in the field of athletics. The Indian Army's Mission Olympics Wing was established in 2001, under which 9000 athletes are currently training in 28 different sports.

In collaboration with the SAI, there are 18 Boys Sports companies and 2 Girls Sports Companies across India, which provide training opportunities to young athletes from the age of 9 to 16. Additionally, a Paralympic Node has been established to support and train disabled soldiers with disabilities in paralympic sports. Through the establishment of specialised training regimes and infrastructure, the Indian Army has supported the careers of several athletes and sportspersons who have won medals on the global stage.

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Sports, and Youth Affairs, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, praised the Indian Army for its contributions to India's sports ecosystem. He emphasised the need for multi-agency cooperation to promote sports across the country. Dr. Mandaviya also outlined a vision for India to achieve its maximum Olympics medals by 2036, emphasising the creation of Centres of Excellence for sports. He also acknowledged the important role of the Indian Army in promoting sports culture and mentioned that the Indian Army emerges as one of the top medal-winning entities in the nation.

The conclave saw the participation of former athletes and Olympians, including celebrated personalities such as Anju Bobby George, Mary Kom, and Tarundeep Rai, who shared their personal experiences and perspectives on what it takes to excel at the highest levels of sports. The event drew valuable insights from sports experts and highlighted the need for sports education, sharing of resources at the national level, and best practices across the sports ecosystem. The conclave also emphasised the importance of integrating sports science at the grassroots level, harnessing the talent of retired athletes, and developing a multi-pronged approach to prepare athletes for the 2036 Olympics. The overall goal of the conclave was to promote collaboration and contribute to the future success of Indian sports.