IOA Unveils Olympic Education Programme, Revives National Olympic Academy

IOA Launches Olympic Education Drive, Revives National Olympic Academy

The Indian Olympic Association has announced two far-reaching institutional reforms to strengthen India’s Olympic ecosystem: the rollout of the National Olympic Education and Development Programme (NOEDP) and the formal revival of the National Olympic Academy (NOA) . The initiatives underline a renewed commitment to athlete-centric development, Olympic values, and long-term institutional capacity building in Indian sport.

Decisions Finalised in Ahmedabad

The reforms were approved during the IOA Executive Council meeting on January 8 and subsequently endorsed unanimously by the IOA General House at its Annual General Meeting on January 9. Both meetings were held in Ahmedabad. According to the IOA, the measures are aligned with international best practices in Olympic education, governance, and athlete welfare.

National Olympic Education and Development Programme (NOEDP)

The NOEDP has been conceived as a nationwide structured framework to deliver Olympic education and development initiatives across all levels of sport. Implemented in partnership with National Sports Federations and State Olympic Associations, the programme aims to reach athletes, coaches, officials, and administrators from the grassroots to elite performance levels.

Key objectives include:

• Integrating Olympic values, ethics, and fair play into sports systems

• Supporting holistic athlete development and well-being

• Preparing athletes for career transitions beyond competitive sport

• Enhancing professionalism and governance across sporting institutions

Revival and Mandate of the National Olympic Academy

As a cornerstone of the NOEDP, the National Olympic Academy has been reactivated as India’s central hub for Olympic education, research, and intellectual exchange. Beyond academic engagement, the Academy will work closely with athletes to promote leadership development and sustained engagement with the Olympic movement throughout their sporting journeys.

The IOA General House approved P. T. Usha , President of the IOA, as President of the National Olympic Academy, and Gagan Narang , IOA Vice President, as Director of the Academy.

Exam-Focused Key Points

• The Indian Olympic Association is recognised by the International Olympic Committee.

• National Olympic Academies promote Olympic values, ethics, and education.

• Olympic education emphasises fair play, good governance, and leadership.

• The NOEDP aims to strengthen athlete welfare and institutional capacity.

• India aligns its Olympic education with international standards and the Olympic Charter.

Global Linkages and Strategic Outlook

Under the renewed framework, the National Olympic Academy will collaborate with the International Olympic Academy in Olympia to align Indian programmes with global Olympic norms. The IOA has stated that these reforms complement India’s broader vision of Viksit Bharat , reinforcing a governance model where athletes remain central while institutions become more professional, transparent, and future-ready.