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New Sports Minister Takes Stock of India's Olympic PreparationsBarely a day after assuming office, Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya met with Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President PT Usha to assess India's preparations for the upcoming Paris Olympics. The meeting, which lasted over an hour, was attended by Minister of State for Sports Raksha Khadse, Sports Secretary Sujata Chaturvedi, and Sports Authority of India Director General Sandip Pradhan.During the meeting, Mandaviya was briefed on the country's progress in qualifying for the Paris Games. IOA President Usha expressed confidence that India would send a contingent of over 100 athletes to the Olympics. "We have done everything good this time," Usha said. "We will be in contact every week and I hope that this is good for our Olympic athletes."Usha highlighted the efforts made to prioritize the needs of athletes in the lead-up to the Games. "Our first preference were the athletes, whatever the players want we have done this time," she said. "So we are expecting more medals this than Tokyo."As of now, 97 Indian athletes have qualified for the Paris Olympics, and the IOA expects the number to reach 115-120. The Paris Olympics will be held from July 26 to August 11, 2024.Mandaviya expressed the government's commitment to supporting the athletes and ensuring their success in Paris. "I today visited the IOA officials for the first time where they briefed me about India's preparation for Paris Olympics," Mandaviya said. "The government is committed to extend all possible support."The meeting between Mandaviya and the IOA officials is a positive sign for India's Olympic preparations. The government's support and the IOA's commitment to athlete welfare will be crucial in ensuring India's success at the Paris Games.

Mansukh Mandaviya, the former Union Health Minister who played a pivotal role in India's COVID-19 response, has been appointed as the new Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's cabinet. Mandaviya, who represents the Porbandar Lok Sabha constituency in Gujarat, replaces Anurag Thakur, who held the post for nearly three years.Mandaviya's appointment comes at a time when India is preparing to host the 2036 Olympic Games. During Thakur's tenure, India achieved its best-ever performance at the Olympics, winning a record seven medals in the Tokyo Games. Thakur also oversaw the revision of criteria for government jobs for medal winners in Khelo India competitions.Mandaviya, who was entrusted with the health portfolio during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, is credited with ramping up the supply of oxygen and medicines and overseeing the vaccination program. He is expected to bring his experience in crisis management and public health to the sports ministry.Raksha Khadse, a three-time BJP MP from Maharashtra, has been appointed as the Minister of State (Sports) under Mandaviya. Khadse, who represents the Raver Lok Sabha constituency, is the daughter-in-law of Eknath Khadse, a former NCP leader who recently returned to the BJP.The appointment of Mandaviya and Khadse is seen as a move to strengthen the BJP's presence in Gujarat and Maharashtra, two key states in the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections.