The decisions were finalised during the IOA Executive Council meeting on January 8 and subsequently received unanimous approval from the IOA General House at its Annual General Meeting on January 9, both held in Ahmedabad.
File Photo: IANS
In a bid to strengthen India’s Olympic ecosystem, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has launched the National Olympic Education and Development Programme (NOEDP) besides formally reviving the National Olympic Academy (NOA).
The decisions were finalised during the IOA Executive Council meeting on January 8 and subsequently received unanimous approval from the IOA General House at its Annual General Meeting on January 9, both held in Ahmedabad.
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According to an official release issued on Monday, the twin initiatives reflect the IOA’s renewed focus on athlete-centric development, Olympic education and institutional strengthening, in alignment with global best practices.
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Envisioned as a comprehensive national framework, the NOEDP aims to deliver structured education and development programmes across India’s Olympic ecosystem. The programme will be rolled out in collaboration with National Sports Federations (NSFs) and State Olympic Associations (SOAs), ensuring broad outreach from grassroots to elite levels.
The NOEDP will focus on promoting Olympic values, ethics and education, fostering holistic athlete development with particular emphasis on welfare and post-competition career transition; capacity building for coaches, officials, administrators and support staff; improving governance, leadership and professionalism within sports organisations; and implementing long-term athlete development models aligned with international standards.
As a central pillar of this initiative, the National Olympic Academy has been reactivated to serve as India’s principal centre for Olympic education, research and dialogue. Beyond its academic role, the NOA will work directly with athletes to support their educational needs, leadership development, personal growth and understanding of the Olympic movement alongside their sporting careers.
The IOA General House unanimously confirmed IOA chief PT Usha as president of the National Olympic Academy, while Olympic medallist and IOA vice president Gagan Narang was appointed director of the academy.
Under their leadership, the NOA will collaborate closely with the International Olympic Academy in Olympia to ensure India’s Olympic education programmes remain aligned with the Olympic Charter and international norms. The partnership will facilitate joint initiatives, research collaborations, knowledge exchange and participation in global Olympic education forums.
The IOA described the launch of the NOEDP and the revival of the NOA as a landmark moment in building a values-driven, athlete-focused and future-ready Olympic framework for India, one that integrates education, excellence and ethical governance at every level.
Reaffirming its commitment to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a Viksit Bharat, the IOA reiterated its dedication to empowering athletes within the Olympic movement and strengthening the institutions that underpin sport across the country.
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