MUMBAI: In a significant development, Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, backed by IOA president Narindra Batra and International Olympic Committee member Nita Ambani, has informed IOC president Thomas Bach that Mumbai would be put forth as a candidate city to host the Youth Olympic Games in 2026 and 2032 Olympics.
IOC Media announced as much by posting the news on its official Twitter handle. “Chief Minister of Maharashtra, with the backing of IOA President Narinder Batra and IOC member Nita Ambani, expresses commitment for a Mumbai candidature for the Youth Olympic Games 2026, as well as a strong interest in the Olympic Games 2032,” IOC Media tweeted.
Fadnavis made his pitch after Bach flew here Friday to see sporting projects in the city.
The proposed location is said to be Navi Mumbai where the Ambanis reportedly own 2,140 hectares of land, which presently remains undeveloped.
Bach met Fadnavis, Ambani, Batra as well as Indian athletes and Olympians including former cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, after engaging with children benefiting from the various grassroots sporting programmes supported by Ambani’s Reliance Foundation. He joined children for basketball training and a demonstration five-a-side football match.
Abhinav Bindra, who was also present at the meet, said that the Youth Olympics is an ideal event in the current ecosystem. “If we r to bid for a Multi discipline event , the youth Olympics is the ideal event in our current ecosystem. More than the event , investment which would be directed to the grassroots and our youth will help build champions for the future.Good luck Mumbai 2026 in your endeavour!” Bindra tweeted.
Batra had on Friday said: “We are bidding for three events, 2026 Youth Olympics, 2030 Asian Games and 2032 Olympics. We don’t know whether they will come to India or not. Let us see how fierce the competition is.”
Bach had said, “We have taken note with great appreciation of the intention of IOA to host future Youth Olympics and Summer Olympics. It would be fantastic for Indian athletes to have their Olympics at their home country. It will give a boost to sports in India and develop interest in many young people to take up sports.”
