Mr. Makis Asimakopoulos, IOA Director, praised India’s plan, strategy, and vision to play a significant role in the Olympic movement. He emphasized the Academy’s willingness to support Olympic education by training sports ecosystem professionals in India, promoting Olympism values, and preparing young athletes to understand and embody these principles.
Ms. Alexandra Karaiskou, IOA delegate, noted the productive discussions and highlighted India’s steps toward hosting the Commonwealth Games and bidding for the 2036 Olympics. She welcomed the revival of India’s National Olympic Academy and expressed confidence in close collaboration with the IOA and Sports Authority of India to promote Olympic values nationwide.
Focused Initiatives to Train Experts
The collaboration aims to design programs for coaches, sports science experts, and physical education teachers. Shri Hari Ranjan Rao emphasized that India’s rapidly growing sports ecosystem requires trained professionals to advance the Olympic movement. The IOA will support India by creating globally-standardized curriculum tailored for the country, extending skilling programs at premier educational institutions, hosting masterclasses by international experts, and facilitating joint research and digital collaborations.
Global Collaboration and Knowledge Exchange
Discussions also included hosting a Conclave for Global National Olympic Academies in India. Collaborations with the Hellenic Olympic Committee (HOC) are underway to exchange legacy knowledge and expertise in Olympic education, further integrating India into the international sports education network.