NEW DELHI: India’s new Olympics chief Narinder Batra has vowed to make bids to stage the 2032 Olympics, 2030 Asian Games or 2026 Commonwealth Games, saying the country must “think big.”
Batra, who is also the International Hockey Federation (FIH) president, said after winning the Indian Olympic Association vote late Thursday that an approach would be made to the Indian government for financial backing.
“Once I settle down, the IOA will take a proposal to the government to host the 2032 Olympics, 2030 Asiad and 2026 CWG. We should think big but hosting these Games depends on the government as they will sanction the funds,” he said.
“I have always dreamed big and this is my personal view that India should host these big events.”
When New Delhi staged the 2010 Commonwealth Games, they were marked by construction delays, failing infrastructure and accusations of financial mismanagement.
But India is now one of the world’s fastest growing major economies, and international sporting chiefs say it must be a contender to hold major events.
India’s sporting relations with arch-rival neighbor Pakistan could prove a sticking point, however.
Batra said he opposed any bilateral contests against Pakistan. The two dispute Kashmir territory, while India accuses Pakistan of supporting “terrorism.”
“As far as multilateral events organized by the international federations are concerned, we have to play Pakistan. But I think it is not possible to play them in bilateral events unless relations between the two countries are improved.
“Moreover their behavior at the border will have to improve. Everybody in India is an Indian first.”
As India’s hockey chief, Batra suspended matches against Pakistan after a 2014 Champions Trophy semifinal which Pakistan won. India accused the Pakistani players of making obscene gestures to the Indian crowd.
Batra overwhelmingly won the contest for the IOA presidency, but a Delhi court is still to review the vote.
New Indian boss mulls bid for 2032 Olympics
New Indian boss mulls bid for 2032 Olympics
Ronaldo leads Al-Nassr to Saudi Pro League victory on return to starting XI
- After missing three consecutive games, the Portuguese talisman needed just 18 minutes to open his account on Saturday
- Al-Nassr keep the pressure on Al-Hilal, sitting one point behind the league leaders after Matchday 22
RIYADH: With Al-Nassr firmly in the Saudi Pro League title race and waiting for any slip-up from Al-Hilal, Cristiano Ronaldo’s return to the starting XI came as a timely boost after a period dominated by off-field distractions involving the player, the club and the Public Investment Fund.
The visitors overcame a stern test at the Meydan Tamweel Al-Oula Stadium, a venue where they suffered a frustrating 3-2 defeat last season, to secure all three points.
Ronaldo had an early sight of goal just 34 seconds into the match, meeting Kingsley Coman’s cross at the far post but sending his volley wide.
Despite failing to win in their previous six outings, Al-Fateh posed an early threat, with Mourad Batna beating two defenders before firing narrowly wide in the seventh minute.
Chances followed at both ends. Coman squandered a golden opportunity after latching onto Sadio Mane’s cross, before Mane himself struck the side netting from a tight angle in the 15th minute.
Ronaldo eventually broke the deadlock three minutes later. Mane beat Saad Baattia in a one-on-one duel before delivering a low cross into the area, where the Portuguese forward finished confidently for his 18th-minute opener, the 962nd goal of his professional career.
The 39-year-old came close to adding a second in the 30th minute, but Joao Felix’s cross flashed across goal just beyond his reach.
Al-Fateh responded with sustained pressure from set pieces, though goalkeeper Bento produced a series of saves, including a sharp stop from Batna’s free-kick before reacting quickly after Matias Vargas struck the crossbar.
Despite trailing at the break, Al-Fateh continued to press in the second half and had strong penalty appeals waved away when Batna was brought down in the box.
A lengthy VAR check followed in the 52nd minute after Mohamed Simakan bundled the ball into the net, but the goal was ruled out after a six-minute review.
Al-Nassr eventually sealed the result in the 77th minute when Coman’s cross was met by Ayman Yahya, who blasted past Fernando Pacheco to secure the points.
The win lifts Al-Nassr to 52 points, just one behind Al-Hilal, who beat Al-Ettifaq on Friday. Al-Fateh drop to 10th on 24 points.
Elsewhere, Al-Riyadh slipped two points closer to the relegation zone after a 1-1 draw with Al-Khaleej, with Kostas Fortounis cancelling out Leandro Antunes’ opener late on. Al-Najma also made history by claiming their first Saudi Pro League victory, ending a 20-match winless run with a 2-1 success over Al-Kholood.
The Saudi Pro League resumes on Thursday, with Al-Ahli hosting Al-Najma, while the weekend’s headline fixture sees Al-Hilal face Al-Ittihad in Riyadh following Karim Benzema’s controversial deadline-day move.
