ICC chief Jay Shah set the stage for a monumental announcement during his address at the SJFI national conclave in New Delhi. On March 15, he explicitly signaled that India is poised to host the 2036 Summer Olympics, calling for nationwide preparations starting immediately.
Drawing from his BCCI tenure, Shah shared, ‘I prepared for events up to 2028 and delivered results. Now, focus on 2030 Commonwealth Games, 2032 Brisbane Olympics, and crucially, the 2036 Games—you know where.’ His words underscore India’s growing stature on the world sports stage.
Shah delved into Indian cricket’s golden era from 2019-2026, celebrating a trophy haul that includes multiple World Cups across formats for men, women, and juniors, Test Championship final appearances, and the Champions Trophy. ‘This period was golden because of everyone’s contributions,’ he emphasized.
The recently concluded T20 World Cup took center stage, with Shah lauding India’s victory while tipping his hat to semi-finalists England and South Africa, New Zealand’s grit, and associates who punched above their weight. ‘USA pushed India to the brink, Netherlands thrilled against Pakistan, Nepal rattled England, Zimbabwe felled Australia—these upsets made it unforgettable,’ he said.
Shah marked the historic 2001 Kolkata Test’s 25th anniversary, where Laxman and Dravid’s epic partnership scripted a comeback win. As India eyes Olympic hosting, Shah’s motivational speech rallies the nation toward comprehensive sports infrastructure and talent development.