Narinder Batra, president of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), stated on Saturday that the organisation is in talks&nbsp;with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) about hosting the 2036 Summer Games, adding that Ahmedabad's Motera stadium is the ideal location for an opening ceremony.

The Gujarat Cricket Association christened the Motera facility 'Narendra Modi Stadium' in February 2021, after it was renovated to become the world's largest cricket stadium.

"If someone asks me about the venue for the opening ceremony at present, then it is definitely going to be the Motera stadium," Batra told reporters.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/issf-junior-world-championship-manu-bhaker-shines-as-four-golds-take-india-to-top-of-medal-standings-417884">ISSF Junior World Championship: Manu Bhaker shines as four golds take India to top of medal standings</a>

"There is no stadium better suited to host the opening ceremony of the Olympics (in India). I can't say what will happen by 2036.... (but) I will be proposing Ahmedabad as the venue for the opening ceremony," the IOA's President stated.

He was speaking to the media at an event hosted by TransStadia, a sports infrastructure company located in the city.&nbsp;

"When you say opening ceremony, it means that athletics will also be played (at the same venue). And athletics is the biggest event (at the Olympics)," he said.

The Olympic games may be held in three or four locations in India, according to Batra, and the IOA is in talks with the IOC regarding a prospective hosting&nbsp;for 2036. He said that India has a good probability of gaining the opportunity.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/issf-junior-shooting-world-championship-india-confirm-top-place-finish-with-30-medals-419374">ISSF Junior Shooting World Championship: India confirm top place finish with 30 medals</a>

"If we talk about the 2036 Olympics, then yes, we are already talking to the International Olympic Committee. Being the president of IOA, my discussions with the IOC happen on the subject....2036 Olympics will be finalized in two-three years, and we are currently discussing with IOC," he said.

The Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority (AUDA) recently requested proposals from experts to perform a "gap analysis" to determine if the city's infrastructure was suitable to host the Olympics. Following the IOA elections in December, a new president will be appointed, and a thorough presentation for India's candidacy would be made, according to Batra. He went on to say that India is one of the six or seven probable candidates for hosting the 2036 Olympics.

"India has come on the world radar, and is heading towards becoming the third-largest economy in the world. By 2036, it is going to be the second or third-largest economy," he said.

The IOC has introduced a new bidding procedure for the selection of the host city, and Brisbane was granted the 2032 games using this approach, according to Batra.

"You have to show them three-four centres, because now you can do it at multiple places, then you will show them the venues, new as well as the existing, and what are their legacy use. Motera Stadium has a legacy," he said.

Narinder Batra, president of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), stated on Saturday that the organisation is in talks with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) about hosting the 2036 Summer Games, adding that Ahmedabad's Motera stadium is the ideal location for an opening ceremony.

Narinder Batra, president of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), stated on Saturday that the organisation is in talks with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) about hosting the 2036 Summer Games, adding that Ahmedabad's Motera stadium is the ideal location for an opening ceremony. The Gujarat Cricket Association christened the Motera facility 'Narendra Modi Stadium' in February 2021, after it was renovated to become the world's largest cricket stadium. "If someone asks me about the venue for the opening ceremony at present, then it is definitely going to be the Motera stadium," Batra told reporters. Also Read: ISSF Junior World Championship: Manu Bhaker shines as four golds take India to top of medal standings "There is no stadium better suited to host the opening ceremony of the Olympics (in India). I can't say what will happen by 2036.... (but) I will be proposing Ahmedabad as the venue for the opening ceremony," the IOA's President stated. He was speaking to the media at an event hosted by TransStadia, a sports infrastructure company located in the city. "When you say opening ceremony, it means that athletics will also be played (at the same venue). And athletics is the biggest event (at the Olympics)," he said. The Olympic games may be held in three or four locations in India, according to Batra, and the IOA is in talks with the IOC regarding a prospective hosting for 2036. He said that India has a good probability of gaining the opportunity. Also Read: ISSF Junior Shooting World Championship: India confirm top place finish with 30 medals "If we talk about the 2036 Olympics, then yes, we are already talking to the International Olympic Committee. Being the president of IOA, my discussions with the IOC happen on the subject....2036 Olympics will be finalized in two-three years, and we are currently discussing with IOC," he said. The Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority (AUDA) recently requested proposals from experts to perform a "gap analysis" to determine if the city's infrastructure was suitable to host the Olympics. Following the IOA elections in December, a new president will be appointed, and a thorough presentation for India's candidacy would be made, according to Batra. He went on to say that India is one of the six or seven probable candidates for hosting the 2036 Olympics. "India has come on the world radar, and is heading towards becoming the third-largest economy in the world. By 2036, it is going to be the second or third-largest economy," he said. The IOC has introduced a new bidding procedure for the selection of the host city, and Brisbane was granted the 2032 games using this approach, according to Batra. "You have to show them three-four centres, because now you can do it at multiple places, then you will show them the venues, new as well as the existing, and what are their legacy use. Motera Stadium has a legacy," he said.

We are in talks with IOC for 2036 Olympics, Motera best venue: IOA chief

Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President Narinder Batra on Saturday stirred a controversy by saying that politicians should lead the various national sports federations (NSF).

The comments came despite the growing chorus of replacing politicians with sportspersons to lead the various federations.

Batra further added that lawmakers at the helm is "good for Indian sports".

"Sixty out of the 66 medals India won in the CWG were by players from NSFs being headed by politicians. Badminton, table tennis, wrestling, weightlifting, shooting to name a few are headed by politicians and they are giving medals to the country," Batra said at a felicitation function of the badminton players who have won medals at the CWG.

"Politicians heading NSFs are not bad but they are actually good for Indian sports," he added.

Batra also said that country should aim to win double-digit medals at the Tokyo Olympics and around 25 at the 2024 games in Paris.

The IOA president feels that a good show will then help them gain public support in its bid to host the 2032 Summer Games. 
&nbsp;

The comments came despite the growing chorus of replacing politicians with sportspersons

Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President Narinder Batra on Saturday stirred a controversy by saying that politicians should lead the various national sports federations (NSF). The comments came despite the growing chorus of replacing politicians with sportspersons to lead the various federations. Batra further added that lawmakers at the helm is "good for Indian sports". "Sixty out of the 66 medals India won in the CWG were by players from NSFs being headed by politicians. Badminton, table tennis, wrestling, weightlifting, shooting to name a few are headed by politicians and they are giving medals to the country," Batra said at a felicitation function of the badminton players who have won medals at the CWG. "Politicians heading NSFs are not bad but they are actually good for Indian sports," he added. Batra also said that country should aim to win double-digit medals at the Tokyo Olympics and around 25 at the 2024 games in Paris. The IOA president feels that a good show will then help them gain public support in its bid to host the 2032 Summer Games.

Politicians should head national sports federations, says IOA chief

International Hockey Federation chief Narinder Batra was on Thursday elected as president of Indian Olympic Association for a four-year term by an overwhelming majority in the polls held at its Annual General Meeting here.

The 60-year-old Batra secured 142 votes while his rival Anil Khanna got 13 in a two-way contest in the polls held under the supervision of a three-member Election Commission, comprising of&nbsp;retired High Court justices. SK Mendiratta, a legal advisor to the Election Commission of India, was the returning officer.

Batra&#39;s election to the top post was on expected lines after Khanna, a former All India Tennis Association president, &#39;withdrew&#39; from the contest in a surprise&nbsp;move. But there was an election for the president&#39;s post as Khanna sent the withdrawal letter to the IOA-appointed Election Commission after the stipulated deadline of December 3.

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Incumbent Secretary General Rajeev Mehta was re-elected for his second term without any contest as he was the lone candidate for the post.

Batra has thus become one of the few sports administrators who heads an important international federation as well as a National Olympic Committee.

Meanwhile, Anandeshwar Pandey was elected as the treasurer after he defeated Rakesh Gupta by 113 to 37 votes. RK Anand defeated JS Gehlot by 96 votes to 35 for the post of the senior vice president.

The election results will, however, be subject to the final decision of the Delhi High Court that yesterday refused to stay the polls on a petition filed by lawyer Rahul Mehra. 
 
Just after winning the election, Batra said that he would take a proposal to the government to host the 2032 Olympics, 2030 Asian Games and 2026 Commonwealth Games.

&quot;I am yet to take over as the IOA President. But once I settle down, the IOA will take a proposal to the government to host the 2032 Olympics, 2030 Asiad and 2026 CWG. We should think big but hosting these Games depends on government as they will sanction the funds,&quot; he told a press conference.

&quot;The IOA hopes to work with the government in a conducive atmosphere. We want to have a good relationship with them but at the same time they will also have to draw the line (upto where it can go). The government has to understand that a sports body has an autonomy in its functioning. There&#39;s a thin line.&quot;

Batra said he would not want to comment on the order of the Delhi High Court, which has asked the IOA to follow the Sports Code.

&quot;I will not want to answer any question relating to a matter which is pending in a court of law. But I don&#39;t know how IOA is not following the Sports Code. The Constitution of the IOA of 2013 was approved by the government, the IOC and the OCA. After that which changes in the Code was not accepted by the IOA, I don&#39;t know.

Asked about sporting relations with Pakistan, Batra said, &quot;As far as multilateral events organised by the international federations are concerned, we have to play Pakistan. But I think it is not possible to play them in bilateral events unless the relation between the two countries are improved.&quot;

&quot;Moreover their behaviour at the border will have to improve. Everybody in India is an Indian first.&quot;

When Batra was the president of Hockey India, there was an acrimonious incident between Indian and Hockey teams after a match at the 2014 Champions Trophy in Bhubaneswar and he had stopped all bilateral matches between the two countries until Pakistan made an unconditional apology.

Asked about his priorities as IOA president, Batra said, &quot;I want to work to improve the country&#39;s number of medals in Olympics and other Games, how to resolve the issues of the athletes, to bring improvement in the relationship with the government. We want to work with the government in a conducive atmosphere, they should try to know our views and we will also try to know their views so that we can work together.

&quot;The IOA will work as a team. Rajeev Mehta is an experienced hand and he is in his second term. The other members are also experienced. We will divide the duties and responsibilities among ourselves and will work as a team. There will not be a one-man show.&quot;

He acknowledged that his predecessor N Ramachandran had also worked for the welfare of the athletes.

Talking about the provision of 25 per cent sportspersons in the Executive Council which is required under the Sports Code, he said, &quot;As I understand the Sports Code is applied to the NSFs and IOA is not mentioned in the Sports Code. The definition of the sportspersons will have to be elaborated. I believe sportsperson does not mean only those who have played for India. I am also a sportsperson.

&quot;When we checked we found out that more than 60 per cent of people in the present Executive Council are sportspersons.&quot;

Mehta informed that the next National Games will be held in Goa next year from November 4-18.

&quot;We have guidelines for the hosting of the National Games. We have made these guidelines stricter. The National Games will be held next year in Goa from November 4-1, it has been confirmed,&quot; Mehta said.

He said he had a good relation with the former president Ramachandran and hoped to have the same with Batra also.

President: Narinder Batra 
Senior Vice-President: R K Anand 
Vice-President: Addille Sumariwalla, Birendra Prasad Baishya, V D Nanavati, Sudhanshu Mittal, Sunaina Kumari, K Govindraj, Kuldeep Vats, Karan Chautala 
Secretary General: Rajeev Mehta 
Treasurer: Anandeshwar Pandey 
Joint Secretary: S M Bali, Rakesh Gupta, Namdev Shirgaonkar, Onkar Singh, D V Sitaram Rao, Vikram Sisodia 
Executive Council Members: Adhip Das, Ajit Banerjee, Balbir Singh Kushwah, Digvijay Singh, Dushyant Chautala, Gurudutta Bhakta, Hemochandra Singh, V N Prasood, Rupak Debroy, Abhijt Sarkar.

Batra was elected for a four-year term by an overwhelming majority

International Hockey Federation chief Narinder Batra was on Thursday elected as president of Indian Olympic Association for a four-year term by an overwhelming majority in the polls held at its Annual General Meeting here. The 60-year-old Batra secured 142 votes while his rival Anil Khanna got 13 in a two-way contest in the polls held under the supervision of a three-member Election Commission, comprising of retired High Court justices. SK Mendiratta, a legal advisor to the Election Commission of India, was the returning officer. Batra's election to the top post was on expected lines after Khanna, a former All India Tennis Association president, 'withdrew' from the contest in a surprise move. But there was an election for the president's post as Khanna sent the withdrawal letter to the IOA-appointed Election Commission after the stipulated deadline of December 3. Batra has become one of the few sports administrators who heads an important international federation as well as a National Olympic Committee × Incumbent Secretary General Rajeev Mehta was re-elected for his second term without any contest as he was the lone candidate for the post. Batra has thus become one of the few sports administrators who heads an important international federation as well as a National Olympic Committee. Meanwhile, Anandeshwar Pandey was elected as the treasurer after he defeated Rakesh Gupta by 113 to 37 votes. RK Anand defeated JS Gehlot by 96 votes to 35 for the post of the senior vice president. The election results will, however, be subject to the final decision of the Delhi High Court that yesterday refused to stay the polls on a petition filed by lawyer Rahul Mehra. Just after winning the election, Batra said that he would take a proposal to the government to host the 2032 Olympics, 2030 Asian Games and 2026 Commonwealth Games. "I am yet to take over as the IOA President. But once I settle down, the IOA will take a proposal to the government to host the 2032 Olympics, 2030 Asiad and 2026 CWG. We should think big but hosting these Games depends on government as they will sanction the funds," he told a press conference. "The IOA hopes to work with the government in a conducive atmosphere. We want to have a good relationship with them but at the same time they will also have to draw the line (upto where it can go). The government has to understand that a sports body has an autonomy in its functioning. There's a thin line." Batra said he would not want to comment on the order of the Delhi High Court, which has asked the IOA to follow the Sports Code. "I will not want to answer any question relating to a matter which is pending in a court of law. But I don't know how IOA is not following the Sports Code. The Constitution of the IOA of 2013 was approved by the government, the IOC and the OCA. After that which changes in the Code was not accepted by the IOA, I don't know. Asked about sporting relations with Pakistan, Batra said, "As far as multilateral events organised by the international federations are concerned, we have to play Pakistan. But I think it is not possible to play them in bilateral events unless the relation between the two countries are improved." "Moreover their behaviour at the border will have to improve. Everybody in India is an Indian first." When Batra was the president of Hockey India, there was an acrimonious incident between Indian and Hockey teams after a match at the 2014 Champions Trophy in Bhubaneswar and he had stopped all bilateral matches between the two countries until Pakistan made an unconditional apology. Asked about his priorities as IOA president, Batra said, "I want to work to improve the country's number of medals in Olympics and other Games, how to resolve the issues of the athletes, to bring improvement in the relationship with the government. We want to work with the government in a conducive atmosphere, they should try to know our views and we will also try to know their views so that we can work together. "The IOA will work as a team. Rajeev Mehta is an experienced hand and he is in his second term. The other members are also experienced. We will divide the duties and responsibilities among ourselves and will work as a team. There will not be a one-man show." He acknowledged that his predecessor N Ramachandran had also worked for the welfare of the athletes. Talking about the provision of 25 per cent sportspersons in the Executive Council which is required under the Sports Code, he said, "As I understand the Sports Code is applied to the NSFs and IOA is not mentioned in the Sports Code. The definition of the sportspersons will have to be elaborated. I believe sportsperson does not mean only those who have played for India. I am also a sportsperson. "When we checked we found out that more than 60 per cent of people in the present Executive Council are sportspersons." Mehta informed that the next National Games will be held in Goa next year from November 4-18. "We have guidelines for the hosting of the National Games. We have made these guidelines stricter. The National Games will be held next year in Goa from November 4-1, it has been confirmed," Mehta said. He said he had a good relation with the former president Ramachandran and hoped to have the same with Batra also. President: Narinder Batra Senior Vice-President: R K Anand Vice-President: Addille Sumariwalla, Birendra Prasad Baishya, V D Nanavati, Sudhanshu Mittal, Sunaina Kumari, K Govindraj, Kuldeep Vats, Karan Chautala Secretary General: Rajeev Mehta Treasurer: Anandeshwar Pandey Joint Secretary: S M Bali, Rakesh Gupta, Namdev Shirgaonkar, Onkar Singh, D V Sitaram Rao, Vikram Sisodia Executive Council Members: Adhip Das, Ajit Banerjee, Balbir Singh Kushwah, Digvijay Singh, Dushyant Chautala, Gurudutta Bhakta, Hemochandra Singh, V N Prasood, Rupak Debroy, Abhijt Sarkar.

Narinder Batra elected IOA chief, Rajeev Mehta secretary general

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We are in talks with IOC for 2036 Olympics, Motera best venue: IOA chief

Politicians should head national sports federations, says IOA chief

Narinder Batra elected IOA chief, Rajeev Mehta secretary general