Need to finish in top-10 by 2028 Olympics or else I'll be a failure as Sports Minister: Rijiju

Kiren Rijiju on Thursday said he would fail as a Sports Minister if India cannot finish inside the top 10 in the medals tally by 2028 Olympics.

Rijiju said with India set to become the third largest economy in a few year's time, the country cannot lag behind in sports and the prevailing mediocrity in management of National Sports Federations (NSF) is "unacceptable".

"Our country is set to become the third largest economy in the world by 2022 or 2024, we will be in top three in many fields in the next four-five years. There is no reason why we cannot do well in Olympics," Rijiju said while unveiling the logo of India House to be established in Tokyo for the 2020 Olympics.

"2020 Olympics is too near but by 2024 or in 2028, India should be in top 10 in medals tally. It is our target. If India cannot do this, I will feel my becoming Sports Minister is of no use," he added.

The Sports Minister asked the IOA to ensure that the standard of governance in NSFs is high. He especially warned that no athlete's career should be ruined because of any official or coach.

"Mediocrity in sports management will not be accepted. This is very much needed if we want to become a sports powerhouse in the near future. The IOA and the NSFs will have to have high standards of governance. I am happy with the functioning of the IOA. I want the IOA and NSFs to follow high standards of governance.

"Ego of those in the sports management does not serve any purpose. If the career of an athlete is ruined because of the ego of people in the management, the government will not tolerate it. Our approach is athlete centric and sports centric," he said.

Rijiju also said that India will work for the inclusion of kabaddi in the Olympics by 2028.

"We will work with friendly countries and push for the inclusion of kabaddi in 2024 or 2028 Olympics at the latest. To do that, we will have to ensure that the sport goes beyond Asia," he said.

"We are planning to send coaches, officials and kabaddi teams in other countries so that the sport expands and reach other continents."
"Good ideas for sports promotion can come from anyone, and the government is willing to accept and implement them."