Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya convened a landmark meeting in New Delhi with representatives from 58 corporate houses and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Considering of inclusion of PIO , OCI Players is one major discussion.
The agenda was clear: to transform India’s sports ecosystem in preparation for a potential 2036 Olympic Games bid. The discussions centered on two pivotal strategies—encouraging corporate adoption of Olympic sports through funding specialized training centers and revisiting the 2008 policy barring Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) and Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) from representing India in international sports.
These initiatives signal a bold step toward positioning India among the top five global sports powers by 2047, aligning with the centenary of India’s independence.
Corporate Powerhouse for Olympic Glory
The Sports Ministry unveiled an ambitious plan to establish Centres of Excellence for each Olympic sport, funded through public-private partnerships (PPP). These centers will identify and train 100 to 200 elite athletes across age groups, targeting both current and future Olympic cycles. The initiative aims to create sustainable sports infrastructure and foster talent development, with work set to commence in 2025.
The BCCI, represented by Vice President Rajeev Shukla, made headlines by committing to fully fund two to three Olympic disciplines, a first for the cricket-focused organization. The BCCI’s involvement builds on its prior contributions, including ₹8.5 crore for the Paris 2024 Olympics and ₹50 crore to the National Sports Development Fund in 2008.
All 58 corporate houses and Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) present at the meeting expressed enthusiasm for the initiative. Mandaviya urged each entity to adopt one sport, ensuring focused resource allocation.
Corporate responsibilities will include funding training centers, upgrading district-level school facilities, developing sports academies, and creating national leagues for underrepresented sports. The minister also encouraged aligning athlete branding with Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) investments, fostering a synergy between business and sports development.
Reconsidering OCI and PIO Participation
The meeting also discussed the contentious 2008 policy that restricts OCI and PIO cardholders from representing India in international sports, requiring athletes to hold Indian passports. Introduced by then-Sports Minister MS Gill to prioritize home-grown talent, the policy has faced scrutiny as India struggles in sports like football, tennis, and swimming. Especially The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has been a vocal advocate for a change.
The ministry is exploring the inclusion of OCI and PIO athletes to bolster India’s competitiveness, particularly in football and tennis and swimming. However, discussions are in early stages, with significant legal and policy hurdles to overcome, including India’s prohibition on dual citizenship. Before 2008, athletes like tennis players Prakash Amritraj and Shikha Uberoi, squash player Karm Kumar, and swimmer Ankur Poseria represented India. Post-2008, only those who relinquished foreign citizenship, such as footballer Arata Izumi, could compete.
Challenges abound. OCI and PIO athletes must surrender foreign passports and reside in India for 12 months to apply for citizenship, a deterrent for those with established careers abroad. English footballer Yan Dhanda highlighted the practical barrier of giving up his UK passport, which would limit his European career due to India’s low FIFA ranking. Legal precedents, such as the 2010 Delhi High Court ruling upholding the policy in squash player Karm Kumar’s case, further complicate matters.On the flipside critics warn that relying on diaspora athletes could undermine grassroots development.
A Vision for the Future
The BCCI’s unprecedented commitment and the enthusiastic response from corporate giants signal a collective will to elevate India’s global sporting stature. The Centres of Excellence, backed by PPP models, promise to create a robust pipeline ofOlympic-ready athletes, while the potential inclusion of OCI and PIO athletes could provide a competitive edge in key disciplines.
However, the road ahead requires careful navigation. The OCI/PIO policy reversal demands stakeholder consensus and legal clarity, while corporate partnerships must translate into tangible outcomes. By blending corporate muscle, strategic policy reforms, and a long-term vision, India is laying the foundation for a sports revolution. As the nation gears up for a potential 2036 Olympic bid, these initiatives could redefine India’s sporting legacy, inspiring a new generation of champions.
