IOA President PT Usha Boosts Funding As Ahmedabad Emerges India’s Next Sports Hub With Major Funding Hike For Federations And States

President of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), PT Usha, reiterated that good local infrastructure is a key to the long-term sporting prosperity of India, especially as the country prepares to host major global events. Another point that was made by the announcement was how Ahmedabad was turning into a sporting centre very quickly. Usha applauded the long-term investments in Gujarat, saying that the BOP of sports in this state is ₹521 crore in 2025-26, which is 48 per cent higher than the previous year of ₹352 crore. Gujarat has been able to obtain ₹605 crore of the Khelo India scheme in the past eight years.

This investment has assisted 10 new sports complexes with a total worth of ₹282.76 crore and 27 playgrounds with a total worth of ₹29.21 crore in Ahmedabad alone. Naranpura Sports Complex (costing ₹823.53 crore) and Vastral Sports Complex have increased available sports facilities in the city to over 70 places. The core of the sporting ambitions of Ahmedabad is the Narendra Modi Stadium, which is the largest cricket stadium in the world, with a capacity of 1.32 lakh spectators. The city is also planning on the bids in the future world, which include the 2030 Commonwealth Games and the 2036 Olympic Games.

Plans of ten large stadiums in the Sardar Patel Sports Complex and the ₹6,000 crore SVP Sports Enclave also reinforce the Olympic vision of Ahmedabad. The financial stimulus of the IOA and the infrastructural initiative of Gujarat are crucial steps towards enhancing the sporting image of India in the world.

The announcement of the annual funding of national sports federations and state Olympic associations by PT Usha, on January 9, 2026, came as a major step for India in its quest to become a global sporting force. The move, which was made in the annual general body meeting of the IOA in Ahmedabad, is to boost the sports infrastructure, improve the grassroots systems, and cut the edge of the Olympics in India.

Annual grants to national sports federations have been increased under the modified structure, and this time the amount has been raised from ₹7 lakh to ₹20 lakh, nearly threefold the support they receive otherwise. State Olympic associations will now get ₹10 lakh per annum which is a significant boost and this will enable them to maintain and build sports infrastructure in the state.

The improved distributions will be aimed at the long term shortages in resource allocation to allow federations to invest in competition, coaching, athlete development programmes, and efficiency in administration. On the part of the states, the funding will enhance regional talent pipelines and will be in line with the targeted goals of the Khelo India programme. The increase in funding is a clear indication of interest in the grassroots development, the training of coaches, and the improvement of the facilities nationwide. Through empowering state agencies, the IOA seeks to make sure that talent identification and training commence at the district and state level, which will develop a continuous supply of athletes to the national teams.

Reinforcing the Olympic vision of India, PT Usha, President of the IOA, emphasizes the importance of local infrastructure for the long-term sporting prosperity of India. The city of Ahmedabad stands as a testament to this vision, transforming into a sporting centre with investments in new sports complexes and playgrounds. The heart of Ahmedabad's ambition is the Narendra Modi Stadium, the world's largest cricket stadium. With eyes set on hosting future global events, the city is a symbol of India's growing sporting prowess. The financial stimulus from the IOA and infrastructural initiatives of Gujarat are crucial steps towards enhancing India's sporting image on the global stage.