PM Modi’s Task Force to prepare action plan for the next three Olympic Games – 2020, 2024 & 2028
For Indian sporting freak, who cared for anything in sports except cricket, including myself, Rio Olympics was nothing short of a disaster. Despite pumping more than Rs. 400 crores, a historic initiative by the Central Government, despite sending the largest contingent ever recorded, all INDIA garnered were merely two medals at Rio 2016. Had it not been for the gutsy performances of shuttler Pusarla Venkata Sindhu and wrestler Sakshi Malik, INDIA might have faced the ignominy of returning empty handed after 24 years.
However, if Narendra Modi’s idea is brought into action, this disaster might convert into a ‘laughable’ history for our INDIA. As per the press release of the PMO, our Honb. PM has announced a setup of a task force, which would prepare an action plan for the next three Olympic Games i.e., the forthcoming Tokyo edition of 2020, and the subsequent Olympics of 2024 and 2028.
The statement says, ‘”The Task Force will be set up to prepare a comprehensive action plan for effective participation of Indian sports persons in the next three Olympic games 2020, 2024 and 2028,” a PMO statement said.
“The Task Force will prepare overall strategy for sports facility, training, selection procedure and other related matters,” it said.
What does that mean? If I’m not wrong, the task force is preparing a comprehensive action plan for the INDIAN performance at the Summer Olympics for the next 12 years, just as long jumper and ex World Champion Anju Bobby George had once wished for.
This revolutionary step has come against the backdrop against the rather average performance of INDIA at the Rio Olympics, where we won only silver and a bronze overall. While some like Lalita Babar, Jitu Rai, Abhinav Bindra, Dipa Karmakar, Vinesh Phogat to name a few came agonizingly close to a medal and missed by a whisker, stars like Gagan Narang, Yogeshwar Dutt, Heena Sidhu, Leander Paes etc. fizzled out without even giving a fight.
Now for the big question: how will this benefit INDIA at the Olympics?
Interesting. The simplest answer to this is a wholesome extension of the programs that the Central Government led by PM Modi had launched prior to Rio 2016. Following are some of the salient features, as per the Press releases, that might be an essential crux of this Task Force:-
- A wholehearted support under the Target Olympic Podium Scheme to those who have shined at Rio 2016, for e.g. Dipa Karmakar, the gymnast, Vinesh Phogat, the wrestler to name a few, so that they have a better chance of clinching the podium at Tokyo Olympics 2020.
- Performance oriented incentives, to both the athletes and the sports organizations. For example, as per the press sources, organizations like WFI (for wrestling), AFI (for Athletics), coaches like Bishweshwar Nandi, Pullela Gopichand etc. would be further rewarded and given a better chance of making their protégés shine at Tokyo 2020, while underperformers like HOCKEY INDIA and National Rifle Association of INDIA would receive slashed funds. The message is clear : Perform or Face the Axe (PERISH exists only in NORTH KOREA)
- Providing better training, infrastructure etc., to the Tokyo 2020 medal hopefuls, like better stadiums, training etc. What was missing for Dipa apparently before Rio 2016 might not be the case by Tokyo 2020, provided the NDA government stays in place.
- Promotion of innovative ideas by inviting private players already contributing on their part for the Olympic movement, for e.g. the Olympic Gold Quest, Go Sports Foundation etc.
What does this bring to the Tokyo platter? Such a concerted task force, followed by a successful implementation, would ensure that the Tokyo Olympics would become the catalyst of the much needed sporting revolution in INDIA. On a personal note, I am surprised as to why these sports are not considered, where with concerted efforts, INDIA can win a bag a handful of Olympic medals, for e.g. race walking, Men’s Skeet in shooting, Rowing to name a few.
With stalwarts like Yogeshwar Dutt refusing to bow out, and the stars of Rio Olympics like PV Sindhu, Jitu Rai etc. profusely backing it, we can also draw on some basic experience from the go getters, who have made INDIA proud at the Olympics. I know, many of you will scoff at this decision, without even looking into the details, as is the norm of the dominant narrative. But if someone does want to bite the bullet for the good of the nation, what’s the harm. THERE ARE MANY TO WHINE, but WHO WILL MAKE SURE WE SHINE At TOKYO 2020? We want an answer, and for once, Mr. Modi seems to provide the right one. BETTER LATE THAN NEVER!