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'A vision has been provided in the Budget that 2048 Olympic games should be held in Delhi. Delhi will bid for the 2048 Olympics.'
After the Delhi government said on Tuesday that the national capital is aiming to bid for the 39th Olympic Games in 2048, Indian Olympic Association president Narinder Batra said the matter should have been discussed with the IOA first.
"It's a welcome step if they're thinking of it but at the same time, Arvind Kejriwal should have been in discussion with IOA first. They can send an expression of interest but bidding is a very different process. I will say it's a welcome move but Delhi alone can't stage the Olympics. Multiple cities have to be involved, there are many things involved behind any competition," Batra told ANI.
Chief minister Kejriwal said that Delhi will bid to be the host of the Olympics in 2048 adding that a vision has been provided for the same in the Delhi Budget presented on Tuesday.
"A vision has been provided in the Budget that 2048 Olympic games should be held in Delhi. Delhi will bid for the 2048 Olympics. We will take up whatever infrastructure and other necessities that are needed to be created for it," he said.
Presenting the Delhi Budget 2021-22 on Tuesday, finance minister Manish Sisodia had stated that they are aiming to ramp up the infrastructure and sporting facilities in the national capital with an eye on hosting the Games in 2048.
“Starting from Athens in 1896, the torch of the Olympics has never come to Delhi. The next, 32nd Olympics, games are to be held in Tokyo. The next three Olympics host cities have also been decided. Our government aims to bring the sports facilities and the sports atmosphere in the city to such a level through the new Sports University so that we can apply to host the 39th Olympics in 2048,” Sisodia said.
Batra said the refurbished Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sports Complex in Motera, which also houses the Narendra Modi stadium -- the largest cricket stadium in the world -- is the perfect venue to host the opening and closing ceremony of the Olympics.
He further believes that India could definitely host an Olympic Games before 2048.
"One more thing I feel that before 2048 we will certainly have one Olympics in India," he said.