IOA president PT Usha wants National Games medal programme restricted to events in Olympics, CWG and Asian Games
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) said in a statement on Thursday that IOA President PT Usha will propose that only sporting disciplines that feature in the Olympics, Commonwealth and Asian Games be considered for inclusion in the future National Games. Usha’s move is aimed at preventing “regional sports” from being elevated to medal events.
The IOA statement said that the legendary athlete-turned-office bearer Usha intends to table the proposal in the next General Body Meeting of the IOA.
The statement added that only those sports whose national governing bodies are in “good standing” with the IOA as a national federation for one year before the commencement of the National Games should be included in the National Games programme.
“Over recent editions, inclusion of indigenous regional sports as demonstration events has been a notable feature, aimed at engaging local audiences and promoting regional sports culture. However, during the last edition, several regional sports were elevated to medal events the Games Technical Conduct Committee (GTCC). The IOA recognizes the value of these sports but emphasizes the need to maintain a clear dinction between demonstration and medal events,” Usha said in an official release.
Usha highlighted that National Games medal winners were entitled to benefits like reservation in state and central government jobs, increments in basic pay, and prize money, which makes it all the more essential to align medal events with disciplines recognised at major international sporting events.
Usha said restricting the number of disciplines to those included in the Olympic Games (to be held after the particular National Games), Commonwealth Games, and Asian Games would also increase “competitive standard” and “uphold integrity” of the National Games.
“IOA President Dr PT Usha intends to table a proposal at the next General Assembly meeting to redefine the scope of medal sports at the National Games,” the IOA statement said.
After Kerala hosted the National Games in 2015, there was a long gap of seven years before Gujarat staged the multi-sporting spectacle in 2022. Uttarakhand will stage the multi-sport event from January 28 to February 14.
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