Kolkata
Leander Paes has been entrusted with a key role in advancing India’s bid to host the 2036 Olympic Games, marking a significant step in his transition from a celebrated sporting career to public life.
The seven-time Olympian revealed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has assigned him responsibilities related to youth development and sports, with a focus on strengthening India’s case to host the global sporting spectacle. Paes said he would also contribute to preparations for the 2030 Commonwealth Games proposed in Ahmedabad.
Calling the Olympic bid a transformative opportunity, Paes emphasised that hosting the Games could reshape India’s sporting ecosystem and elevate its global stature. He pointed out that nations dominating the Olympic medal tally — such as the United States, China, Japan, Australia, and Great Britain — are also among the world’s leading economies, underlining the link between sporting excellence and national development.
Paes stressed that India must invest heavily in grassroots talent and infrastructure to emulate such success. “In sports and sports education lies the ability to build a superpower,” he said, highlighting the importance of nurturing young athletes to achieve long-term goals.
Focusing on his home state, Paes expressed concern over the lack of adequate sporting infrastructure in West Bengal. Despite iconic venues like Eden Gardens and Salt Lake Stadium, he noted that facilities for sports beyond cricket and football remain limited. He cited the absence of a dedicated indoor tennis stadium and reliance on temporary courts for international events as key gaps needing urgent attention.
The former doubles champion also spoke about preventing “brain drain” from the state, stressing the need to create opportunities for youth locally. Identifying himself as a “Bengal boy,” Paes said he aims to ensure that young talent can grow and succeed without leaving the region.
Looking ahead, Paes outlined an ambitious vision to impact the lives of nearly 250 million children over the next two decades through sports and education. Describing his new journey as a “new game,” he said he would approach it with the same passion and commitment that defined his illustrious tennis career, aiming to contribute meaningfully to India’s sporting ambitions.
