National Games 2024 in Uttarakhand

• 22 Oct 2024

Why in News?

Uttarakhand is set to host the National Games in 2024 as announced recently by PT Usha, the president of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).

Key Points

• Uttarakhand will host the 38^th edition of the National Games for the first time.The games are scheduled for October 2024.
• Various cities in Uttarakhand, including Dehradun, Haldwani, and Haridwar, will host events.
• In the National Games 2024 more than 30 sports disciplines will be featured.
• Indian Olympic Association:
  • The IOA is the governing body for the Olympic Movement and the Commonwealth Games in India.
  • As an affiliated member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF), Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), and Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC), the IOA administers various aspects of sports governance and athletes’ welfare in the country.
  • IOA oversees the representation of athletes or teams participating in the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, Asian Games, and other international multi-sport competitions of the IOC, CGF, OCA, and ANOC.
  • Beyond participation in the Games, the IOA has also established various initiatives with different stakeholders for the development of sports education and Olympic studies.
  • IOA is recognised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
  • Foundation:
    • It was established in 1927 with Sir Dorabji Tata and Dr. A.G. Noehren as the Founding President and Secretary General, respectively.
    • It is registered as a Non-Profit Organisation under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.
  • Members:
    • The members of the IOA include National Sports Federations (NSFs), State Olympic Associations, IOC Members, and other select multi-sport organisations.
    • In accordance with the Olympic Charter, the membership of NSFs mostly include NSFs that govern sports featured in the sports programme of the Summer Olympic Games, Winter Olympic Games, Asian Games, and Commonwealth Games.
  • Governance:
    • It is currently governed by a 32-member Executive Council, headed by the President.
    • The election for the Executive Council is held once every four years.
    • The working of the Executive Council is also assisted by different Standing Committees of the IOA that are constituted with experts in the subject-field to help in various aspects of governance.

National Games

• Background: The Olympic movement, which garnered the attention of the nation in the 1920s, includes the National Games. The National Games in India were first envisioned as the Indian Olympic Games with the goal of promoting Olympic sports in the nation.
  • The first edition of the Indian Olympic Games at Lahore in an undivided Punjab in 1924.
  • The Indian Olympic Games were named as National Games beginning in 1940. This competition sets athletes from several Indian states with one another in a variety of sporting disciplines.
• Objectives:
  • They are held for the benefit of Indian athletes, sports organisations etc.
  • They help in raise awareness among states/UT's about the necessity of developing internationally grade sports infrastructure.
  • It attempts to attract a wide number of youths to participate in sports activities.
  • It aims to inculcate sports culture in individuals from all walks of life and educate them on the value of sports in building a healthy society.
• Jurisdiction: The duration and the regulations of the National Games are entirely within the jurisdiction of the Indian Olympic Association.