Agreement Aims to Reach Millions of Underprivileged Children Across Maharashtra
Mumbai :- In a significant development for the promotion of Olympic values and sports in India, the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the Olympic Museum, and the Reliance Foundation have inked a groundbreaking agreement. This collaboration will focus on instilling the Olympic spirit among children, commencing in the Mumbai region and subsequently expanding across the state of Maharashtra.
The agreement is set to encompass a range of activities tailored to different grade levels in selected schools. It will facilitate interactive sessions between athletes and students to encourage physical activity and raise awareness about Olympism and Olympic values.
IOC President Thomas Bach expressed his enthusiasm for the initiative, noting its far-reaching global impact. He also highlighted the success of a similar agreement with the Abhinav Bindra Foundation in Odisha, which has achieved “unprecedented heights.”
Regarding the collaboration with the Reliance Foundation, President Bach stated, “They have the potential to reach 17.5 million children across Maharashtra, and with the Abhinav Bindra Foundation in Odisha, there is potential to reach another 7 million children. Most of these children come from underprivileged backgrounds, and they will gain access to sports, sports education, and the core values of the Olympics for the first time.”
The Olympics Value Education Program (OVEP) was initially introduced in India last year through the Abhinav Bindra Foundation in Odisha. It represents one of the first major IOC projects to be implemented in the country.
Remarkably, within just six months of OVEP’s introduction to Odisha students, schools reported a significant increase in attendance and participation in sports, particularly among girls. The program, now in its second year, has expanded its reach to over 700 teachers and 250,000 children across 350 schools and has extended to the state of Assam. Once fully operational, OVEP’s engagement in India is expected to benefit approximately 29 million children.
This collaboration between the IOC, the Reliance Foundation, and the Abhinav Bindra Foundation marks a significant step toward nurturing a culture of sports and promoting Olympic values among India’s youth, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds. It holds the potential to transform lives and inspire future generations of athletes and sports enthusiasts across the nation.
As the initiative gathers momentum, the world will be watching India’s journey towards fostering a deep-rooted love for sports and the timeless principles embodied by the Olympic movement.
