The Olympians Association of India, a unique body by Olympians for Olympians, was launched here on Monday at a high-profile function that saw the country’s top sports persons in attendance.
Among the list of luminaries present were Minister of Youth and Sports Affair Jitendra Singh, Director General – Sports Authority of India Injeti Srinivas, Silver medallist in the 2004 Athens Games and minister of Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, winter Olympian Shiva Keshavan, sailor Malav Shroff, badminton champion Pullela Gopichand, long jumper Anju Bobby George and India hockey captain Viren Rasquinha.
A number of medal hopefuls at the upcoming Rio Games were also there, including wrestlers Yogeshwar Dutt, Narsingh Yadav and Vinesh Phogat, boxer Mary Kom, archer Deepika Kumari, shuttler PV Sindhu, shooting stars Gagan Narang and Jitu Rai, and paddlers Soumyajit Ghosh and Mouma Das.
Information & Broadcasting Minister Honb’l Rajyavardhan Rathore launching the Twitter handle of Olympians Association of India (OAI)
International Olympic Committee member and Athletes Commission Chairperson Claudia Bokel along with World Olympians Association Treasurer, and IOC Athletes Commission Member Patrick Singleton also came out in full support of the event.
The I&B minister Rajyavardhan launched the official website of the OAI: (www.indianolympians.in) at the function.
“The brains behind this great initiative are all very accomplished Olympians. A single platform like this for all the Olympians around the country is a huge step towards improving sport in this country,” he said.
“There are lot of areas which are left unnoticed while an athlete is active or retired. As an Olympian we have come together to try and create something unique and special which will try and address certain key areas for the welfare of the Olympians,” said Shiva Keshavan, the president of OAI.
“We have never had anything like this. It is necessary for young and budding talent to help them in understanding sport and growing into a finer athlete,” the five-time Winter Olympian added.
Bronze medallist Gagan also welcomed the initiative, saying it’s important to chart one’s future while actively playing itself. “It’s not just about Indian athletes but athletes from all over the world. Most countries have programmes like running for quite some time now, but in India it has come just now. I have lot of expectations from it,” he said.
The OAI has drawn a roadmap of their plans which will see the development of athletes through various schemes, including Education and Skill Development, Health Insurance and Pension, Mentorship of Young Athletes, Legal Advice and IOC Athletes Career Programme. It will also create awareness through an outreach programme that will require getting involved with every Indian Olympian and working with each of them.
Taking a cue from ailing Olympian Mohammed Shahid, the OIA proposes a Health Insurance and Pension plan which shall work in sync with government stakeholders to take care of athletes during their hour of need. They have also announced a mentorship programme for young athletes which will guide them during their formative years. They would also be extending legal advice to Olympians, as and when needed, as well as work in tandem with the IOC Athlete Career Programme.