The Rajasthan government has launched a new scheme called Mission Olympics 2028, aimed at providing world-class sports facilities and training to 50 talented youths who aspire to represent India in the 2028 Olympic Games. The scheme was announced by the state deputy chief minister and finance minister Diya Kumari on Thursday, in the interim budget 2024-25.
According to the minister, the selected youths will be given access to an acceleration center and an acceleration coach in Jaipur, where they will be groomed for the Olympic level competition. The state government has also allocated Rs. 100 crore for setting up a Centre of Excellence for Sports in Jaipur, which will offer state-of-the-art infrastructure and equipment for various sports disciplines.
The announcement of the scheme has been welcomed by the sports fraternity of Rajasthan, especially the Olympians and the Arjuna Award winners from the state. Divyansh Singh Panwar, a shooter who represented India in the 2020 and 2024 Olympics, said that the scheme will boost the chances of athletes performing well in high-pressure events. He thanked the government for bringing such a scheme and expressed his hope that several sportspersons from Rajasthan will qualify for the 2028 Olympics.
Divyakriti Singh, an equestrian star and an Asian Games gold medalist, also praised the scheme and called it a great motivation for the youngsters. She said that this is the first time that any state government has announced a scheme specifically focusing on an event like the Olympics. She added that she feels privileged to be born in Rajasthan and that her focus is on the 2028 Games. She is currently training in Europe and said that the announcement has given her great hope.
The Mission Olympics 2028 scheme is part of the state government’s vision to promote sports and physical education in Rajasthan. The minister also announced several other initiatives in the budget, such as providing free sports kits to 10 lakh students, constructing 500 playgrounds in rural areas, and establishing a Sports University in Jodhpur. The minister said that the government is committed to creating a conducive environment for sports in the state and encouraging the youth to pursue their dreams.
