Sports minister unveils ambitious London Olympics programme

NEW DELHI: The sports ministry on Thursday unveiled its road map for 2012 London Olympics, announcing the ambitious Operation Excellence (OPEX).

Providing details of OPEX London 2012, sports minister Ajay Maken said two operational arms will implement the programme. “First, medal prospects and the top 10 category in selected individual disciplines will be managed and funded through the National Sports Development Fund (NSDF). Further, the preparation of national teams for all the Olympic disciplines — with focus on training camps, national and foreign coaches, equipment support and training and competition exposure abroad — will be implemented by the Sports Authority of India (SAI),” the minister said.

To ensure that the goals are achieved in a time-bound and professional manner, an apex committee and steering committee with specific mandates have been formed. Maken said he would be chairing the committee which would also include the sports secretary/director general of SAI, representatives of Services and Railways sports control boards, a representative of the Indian Olympic Association, representative of CII/FICCI, four to six Olympians, senior sports journalists and joint secretary (international sports division of the sports ministry).

The minister said continuous training-cum-foreign exposures would be provided to athletes of those 16 disciplines who have a chance to qualify for the London Olympics. The ministry will also put in place a coaching camp schedule for preparation of national teams.