India's Olympic bid: Sardar Patel complex to be venue for 2036 Games, says Shah

NEW DELHI: Union Home Minister

Amit Shah

on Sunday expressed optimism about the prospect of hosting the

2036 Olympics

at the upcoming

Sardar Patel complex

near the mighty Narendra Modi cricket stadium in Ahmedabad.
Earlier, in October, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced the country's intention to bid for hosting the Olympics in 2036 during an event in Mumbai.

To prepare for the endeavor, the Gujarat government has collaborated with top firms to develop sports infrastructure capable of supporting such a grand event.
Speaking at the inauguration of the Sansad Khel Pratiyogita, a sports event organised in his Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency, Shah said Modi had asked all MPs to promote sports in their areas.

"This competition will last for one-and-half months. I will join you after the finals. Sports brings out sportsmanship in us. It is important to lose with grace and have a winning habit. Those who play badly in sports or politics are said to be lacking in sportsmanship," Shah said.
Gujarat has the world's biggest cricket arena in the form of

Narendra Modi stadium

, and a sports complex is coming up near it, he said.
"It will host the 2036 Olympics (if India's bid is accepted). The government has allocated Rs 4600 crore for Sardar Patel sports complex and Rs 600 crore for Navrangpura sports complex (in Ahmedabad city). This will be India's biggest sports complex," Shah said.

The government is spending a lot to encourage sports in Gujarat, the Union minister added.
He said the 'Khel Mahakumbh' was started by Modi when the latter was chief minister of Gujarat, which has helped several players emerge from different parts of the state.

(With inputs from PTI)