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India Gears Up for Paris Olympics: High-Powered Committee Meets to Enhance CoordinationNew Delhi: In preparation for the upcoming Paris Olympics, a high-level committee comprising officials from the Sports Ministry, Indian Olympic Association (IOA), and Sports Authority of India (SAI) convened on Friday to assess India's readiness.Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, who presided over the meeting, emphasized the need for "coordination among all stakeholders." He urged officials to prioritize "country's interest before personal interest," according to sources familiar with the discussions.These remarks come amidst ongoing disputes within the IOA over accreditation and financial matters. "IOA executive council members are seeking access cards for National Olympic Committees, which are distributed to federations. These cards provide access to all venues and are essential for federation officials," an IOA official explained."However, only a limited number of such cards (six) are available for India. Some IOA officials also wish to bring their family members," the official added.To address these concerns, a coordination committee was established during the meeting, with IOA President PT Usha and SAI DG Sandip Pradhan in attendance. Usha and IOA executive committee members have been at odds over various issues, including the appointment of CEO Raghuram Iyer, which remains unratified.Upon assuming office, Sports Minister Mandaviya had met with IOA executive council members and urged them to resolve their differences.India's Olympic Contingent and Coaching SupportIndia will send a contingent of 257 members, including 118 athletes, to the Olympics. Notably, Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Mirabai Chanu will be supported by three coaches and a physio. In addition to national coach Vijay Sharma, Sandip Kumar and Pramod Kumar have been included as coaches in weightlifting, while Rohit Shyam Chhabria will serve as physio.Tokyo gold medalist Neeraj Chopra will be accompanied by his coach Klaus Bartonietz and physio Ishaan Marwaha. Other athletes, including Manu Bhaker, Vinesh Phogat, PV Sindhu, Manika Batra, Jyothi Yarraji, Gaganjeet Bhullar, and Rajeshwari Kumari, will have their personal coaches.In wrestling, the coaches of Anshu Malik, Antim Panghal, Nisha Dahiya, and Aman Sehrawat will be accommodated in the 'non-accredited' category.

India's Olympic Preparations Intensify: Minister Mandaviya Emphasizes Elite Athlete ReadinessIn preparation for the upcoming Paris Olympics, India's Sports Minister, Mansukh Mandaviya, has urged all stakeholders to prioritize the mental and physical well-being of elite athletes. With 118 athletes, including 48 women, representing India across 16 sports disciplines, the minister emphasized the importance of ensuring their optimal condition for success.The government has established a coordination group to provide holistic support to athletes and address any challenges leading up to and during the Games. Over 80% of qualified athletes are currently training in Europe to minimize acclimatization issues.Through the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), the government is providing comprehensive support, including world-class coaches, competitive exposures, and rehabilitation and injury management initiatives. For the first time, a recovery center with sports science equipment will be available at the Games Village.Additionally, India House has been established in Paris, joining other nations in providing a dedicated space for athletes. All decisions are made with the athletes' needs and perspectives in mind, demonstrating a strong commitment to their success.These efforts underscore India's dedication to optimizing athlete performance and well-being, showcasing a unwavering commitment to their achievements.

World championships medallist wrestler Vinesh Phogat has appealed for urgent assistance from the Sports Minister, Ministry of External Affairs, and other authorities after her visa for Spain was delayed. Phogat is scheduled to compete at the Grand Prix of Spain 2024 in Madrid, with her flight departing on Wednesday night. However, she has yet to receive her visa.In a social media post, Phogat expressed her concern and requested the intervention of the concerned authorities. She tagged the Ministry of External Affairs, Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, and the Consulate General of France in Bangalore in her post."Dear authorities, I'm requesting for urgent help. I applied for my Schengen visa in Bangalore on 24th June. I have to leave tonight for a competition in Spain on 6th July but have no information on my visa. Requesting @mansukhmandviya @BangaloreFrance @MEABharat to help," she posted.The competition in Spain is scheduled from July 5 to 7, with the women's event slated for July 6. Phogat is also scheduled to attend training camps in Madrid, Spain, and Boulogne sur-Mer, France.Phogat's visa delay has raised concerns about the efficiency of the visa application process for Indian athletes. The timely issuance of visas is crucial for athletes to participate in international competitions and represent their country.The Sports Ministry and the Ministry of External Affairs have not yet responded to Phogat's request for assistance. However, it is expected that they will take immediate action to resolve the issue and ensure that Phogat can participate in the Grand Prix of Spain.

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.

Indian Paralympic legend Devendra Jhajharia has been elected as the new president of the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI). The 42-year-old javelin thrower, who has won three Paralympic medals, including two golds and a silver, takes over from Deepa Malik, a Paralympics silver medalist athlete.Jhajharia's election comes after a period of turmoil for the PCI. In February, the Sports Ministry suspended the government recognition of the PCI due to delays in holding elections and non-compliance with guidelines. The Sports Ministry had also criticized the PCI's decision to hold the election on March 28 as "willful, intentional, and without any valid reason."Following the suspension, the PCI announced that the elections would be held on March 9 in New Delhi. The Sports Ministry subsequently revoked the suspension of the PCI with immediate effect, citing the PCI's commitment to hosting the 2024 World Shooting Para Sport World Cup later this month.Jhajharia's election is a significant step for the PCI. The three-time Paralympic medalist is a respected figure in the Paralympic movement and is expected to bring stability and leadership to the organization. He has pledged to work towards the development of para-sports in India and to ensure that Indian athletes have the best possible support and opportunities to succeed at the highest level.

The Ministry of Sports has lifted the suspension imposed on the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) after the body initiated the process for its long-pending elections. The elections, which were initially scheduled for January 31, 2024, were postponed to March 28 due to the impending Para Shooting World Cup.The PCI has now proposed March 9 as the new date for the elections and has begun the process of nominations. Most of the top posts are set to be filled without any contest, including the position of President, which will be held by multiple-time Paralympic medallist Devendra Jhajharia.The Ministry of Sports stated that the "main ground for suspension of government recognition" has been addressed. The ministry also noted that the PCI is hosting the 2024 World Shooting Para Sport World Cup from March 6-15 in New Delhi, which was a factor in the decision to revoke the suspension.The Para Shooting World Cup offers 24 Paris Paralympic quota places, and over 500 shooters from 52 countries are expected to participate in the event. Jhajharia, who has won gold medals in the 2004 Athens and 2016 Rio Paralympics, is the only candidate who filed nomination papers for the PCI chief's post.Other key positions that will be filled unopposed include Secretary General (Jayawant Hammanawar), Vice-Presidents (R Chandrashekhar and Satya Prakash Sangwan), Treasurer (Sunil Pradhan), and Joint Secretaries (Lalit Thakur and T Diwakara).The PCI had received support from the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) after the suspension. The IPC had stated that it would continue to recognize the PCI as the only body for para sports in India.