"India Is Ready To Host 2036 Olympics": Home Minister Amit Shah Dials Affirmation Call

The closing ceremony of the 38th National Games began here on Friday with home minister Amit Shah as its guest of honour asserting that the country is well on track to host a successful Olympics in 2036. Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president PT Usha declared the Games closed before handing over the flag to Conrad Sangma, chief minister of Meghalaya, the state that will host the next edition of the Games. "I can say it today that India has a very bright future in sports. We are ready to host the Olympics in 2036," Shah said in his address referring to India's bid to host the Olympics in 2036 that is still in early stages.

Along with Shah, sports minister Mansukh Mandaviya also joined the event to laud the athletes' performances over the last two weeks.

To start with, Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami welcomed Shah with a commemorative memento, a shawl and a bouquet of flowers.

"'Dev Bhoomi' has transformed into 'Khel Bhoomi' not just because of the National Games but also because of its athletes' performance in the Games and Dhami ji's relentless efforts towards hosting a successful Games," Shah said at the Indira Gandhi International Sports Complex here.

"Thanks to their efforts, Uttarakhand has jumped from 21st position (in last Games) to seventh position (in the overall standings). I congratulate all the athletes who helped paved the way for 'Dev Bhoomi' to also become a 'Khel Bhoomi'. My best wishes are with them." Shah added, "I have observed that some of the records made by athletes during the Games here are comparable to those in international tournaments.

Besides Shah, Mandaviya and Dhami, several other dignitaries are in attendance here, including Mandaviya, next host Meghalaya's CM Kongkal