From Court to Campaign: Leander Paes Takes Charge of India’s 2036 Olympic Dream

Indian tennis icon Leander Paes has stepped into a transformative new role, revealing that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has entrusted him with a key mission—helping drive India’s ambitious bid to host the 2036 Olympic Games.

Fresh after joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Paes described his transition from sport to public life as a continuation of his lifelong commitment to the nation. In his first public remarks, he emphasized that his vision aligns closely with the Prime Minister’s focus on youth empowerment and sports development.

Paes revealed that he has been tasked with building a dedicated team to work towards bringing the Olympics to India in 2036—an effort that could redefine the country’s global sporting identity.

The seven-time Olympian highlighted that hosting the Games is not just about infrastructure, but about creating a long-term sporting ecosystem. He stressed the importance of grassroots development, better facilities, and nurturing young talent to position India among the world’s top sporting nations.

Drawing parallels with global powers, Paes pointed out that countries dominating the Olympic medal tally are also among the strongest economies, underlining the link between sports excellence and national growth.

Beyond the Olympic vision, Paes also expressed his broader ambition—to positively impact nearly 250 million children through sports and education, a mission inspired by his late father’s vision.

India has already formally expressed interest in hosting the 2036 Olympics, which, if successful, would mark a historic first for the country.

As Paes embarks on this new “game” off the court, his journey signals a unique blend of sport, politics, and nation-building—aimed at shaping India’s future on the global sporting stage.