An official said on Friday that a consultant hired by the Gujarat government has identified 22 sites in Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar cities with “potential” to host the Olympics, and that the state government will soon engage with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to express its intention to host the games in 2036.
The announcement comes nearly five months after the Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority (AUDA) requested proposals from experts to undertake a “gap analysis” to examine the city’s existing infrastructure and determine what is required to make it a prospective destination for the summer Olympic games.
According to a state government announcement, PricewaterhouseCoopers Private Limited, the consulting firm hired by the AUDA, presented a presentation to Gujarat Chief Secretary Pankaj Kumar on Thursday on infrastructure gap assessment, concept plan, and pathway for hosting the 2036 Summer Olympics.
The chief secretary inspected the master plan for the future Sardar Patel Sports Enclave in Motera, as well as the preliminary infrastructure feasibility study for the hosting of the 2036 Olympic Games in Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar, according to the statement.
According to the announcement, a complete assessment of all significant sports and non-sports facilities in Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar has been conducted in accordance with the International Olympic Committee’s guidelines.
“It was discovered that 22 sites in Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar have the potential to host future Olympic Games. It has also been discovered that six of the 22 probable Olympic venues require significant renovations in order to hold the Games “It stated.
While temporary facilities can be built at six sites, the expert suggested that the remaining sites would need major redevelopment to accommodate new sports, according to the report.
Aside from that, the study suggested Shivrajpur Beach in Devbhumi Dwarka district and Polo Forest in Sabarkantha district for hosting various water and mountain sports.
“Additionally, areas in Goa, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and other national venues may be considered for holding ocean sports, mountain sports, and select other sports that are required to be held nationally at diverse locations,” according to the announcement.
According to the announcement, the state government will “soon begin engagement with the International Olympic Committee (IOC)” to indicate Ahmedabad’s ambition to host the Olympics.
The state government will also establish a Special Purpose Vehicle “to undertake extensive planning and assessment” in order to develop and present a “compelling case for hosting the Olympics,” according to the announcement.
President Ram Nath Kovind performed the groundbreaking ceremony for the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sports Enclave in Motera, which contains the newly completed Narendra Modi Stadium, in February of this year.
During a recent visit here, Indian Olympic Association president Narinder Batra stated that the organisation is in talks with the International Olympic Committee about India potentially hosting the 2036 summer games, and that Motera Stadium is the greatest place for an opening ceremony.