Beyond the Bid: Experts Decode the Policy and Inclusivity Roadmap for India’s 2036 Olympic Dream
“Hosting the Olympics is not merely about the 16 days of competition; it is about the 20-year economic roadmap that follows.” This stark reminder from the panel set the tone for a session that stripped away the glamour of the podium to reveal the gritty reality of policy continuity, inclusive infrastructure, and the massive logistical machinery required to turn India’s 2036 dream into a sustainable reality.
The Jio Institute campus in Navi Mumbai became the epicentre of India’s sporting dialogue as it hosted the second edition of the Indian Sport Management Conference (ISMC 2025). Held in collaboration with the Indian Sport Management Association (INSMA), the conference attracted over 200 delegates, including policymakers, administrators, elite athletes, and academicians, all converging under the theme “Olympic Vision 2036: Converging India's Aspirations, Capabilities and Competencies for a Global Sporting Stage”
The day-long conclave featured a stellar lineup of speakers who set the context for India’s ambitious bid, including Ms. Vita Dani, Co-Owner, Chennaiyin FC; Chairperson, Ultimate Table Tennis and Promoter, Dani Sports Foundation; Col. N.S. Johal, CEO, TOPS; Shri Narendra Modi, GM, Gujarat Sports Infrastructure Development; Dr. Kamila Swart-Arries, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar and many more.
Decoding the Vision: A Holistic Approach
The intellectual anchor of the conference was the first panel discussion, titled "Olympic Vision 2036," which moved the conversation beyond stadiums and medals to the critical pillars of policy, inclusivity, and sustainability. Chaired by Mr. Ankush Arora, CEO, Rugby India and moderated by Dr. Sahen Gupta, Vice President Research, INSMA, the session brought together a diverse group of thought leaders: Padma Shri KY Venkatesh, Indian Para-athlete; Dr. U V Sankar, Director Sports, JAIN Deemed-to-be University; Ms. Deepthi Bopaiah, Former CEO, GoSports Foundation and Ms. Somya Jain, Director, Government Consulting, Deloitte India
The Economic and Policy Blueprint
Ms. Somya Jain emphasised that a successful Olympic bid is less about the 16 days of competition and more about the 20-year economic roadmap. She argued for a "legacy-first" approach to planning.
“The bid book is not just a technical document; it is a promise of transformation. We must ensure that the infrastructure we build today serves the economy for decades. It requires policy continuity that survives political cycles,” Ms. Jain noted.
From Charity to Strategy
Ms. Deepthi Bopaiah provided a critical perspective on the role of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). She highlighted that corporate India must evolve from viewing sports as a charitable endeavour to a strategic investment in national soft power.
“We have supported over 200 athletes at GoSports, but the scale required for 2036 is massive. Corporates need to move beyond branding. The success of a sporting system cannot be measured by podium finishes alone, but by the robustness of the pathways we create,” she stated.
The University Ecosystem
Dr. U V Sankar championed the role of the education sector. Drawing comparisons to the American NCAA model, he argued that universities must become the hubs for high-performance training to prevent athlete burnout.
“33% of global Olympic medals come from university-based athletes. In India, we must integrate sports science into the curriculum so that an athlete does not have to choose between a degree and a gold medal. Universities are the natural incubators for this talent,” Dr. Sankar observed.
Inclusivity as a Non-Negotiable
Perhaps the most poignant interventions came from Padma Shri KY Venkatesh. He reminded the audience that the 2036 Vision includes the Paralympics, yet accessibility remains an afterthought in Indian infrastructure.
“Accessibility must be built into the DNA of the 2036 infrastructure, not retrofitted later. If a para-athlete cannot enter a stadium with dignity, we have failed before the Games have even begun. The 2036 Games must be the turning point for disability rights in India,” he asserted.
Mr. Ankush Arora concluded the session by highlighting the opportunity for non-traditional sports.
“While cricket is our religion, the Olympics is our opportunity to diversify. Hosting the Games allows us to fast-track the development of sports like Rugby, Athletics, and Swimming, which offer high medal counts,” Mr. Arora summarised.
The panel concluded with a consensus that "Olympic Vision 2036" is a marathon, not a sprint. It requires the seamless integration of government policy, corporate funding, academic support, and inclusive design. As ISMC 2025 drew to a close, the panel agreed that India has the ambition and the capability, but the execution will depend on how well these diverse stakeholders can collaborate in the coming decade.