Telangana eyes swimming, cycling at 2036 Olympics

A.P. Jithender Reddy
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

With India bidding to host the 2036 Olympic Games, the Telangana government has expressed a desire for the swimming and cycling events to be held in the state. The same was conveyed to the central government at the recent two-day Chintan Shivir at the Kanha Shanti Vanam in Hyderabad, according to A.P. Jithender Reddy, president of the Telangana Olympic Association.

“With the Indian government bidding for the 2036 Olympic Games, some of the events should be given to the places (states) where the infrastructure is there. We have requested the central government to give Telangana both swimming and cycling events because of the infrastructure available, as we have conducted the National Games (2002), Afro-Asian Games (2003), Military World Games (2007) and more,” he told The Hindu. 

Additionally, the state government has also asked for the allotment of rights to host the 40th National Games and the eighth edition of the Khelo India Youth Games.

“I am very keen that Telangana be given the opportunity to host the National Games as early as possible. This will be a very apt way to demonstrate our seriousness and commitment to sports. I am aware that the state, in order to host the games, is required to pay a hosting fee and we are ready with it as soon as it is expected to be printed,” Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy said in a letter to Mansukh L. Mandaviya, the Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports.