<p>The Olympians Association of India (OAI) was launched on Monday, barely a month before the start of Olympic Games in Rio. The non-profit organisation has been founded by the country’s Olympians.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The OAI, affiliated to the World Olympians Association (WOA) under the International Olympic Committee, has been formed to voice the concerns of athletes. It will be working in association with national federations and sports ministry.<br /><br />The organisation has been founded by Winter Olympian Shiva Keshavan, who is also its president, Viren Rasquinha (hockey), Malav Shroff (sailing), Adille Sumariwalla (athletics), Ashwini Nachappa (athletics), Saina Nehwal (badminton), Hakimuddin Habibulla (swimming) and Mary Kom (boxing).<br /><br />Among those who attended the event included Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Jitendra Singh, and Olympic silver medallist and minister for information and broadcasting Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore. The event was also attended by a host of Rio bound athletes, who though were yet to fully grasp the purpose of the organisation. IOC Athletes Commission Chairperson Claudia Bokel was an honoured guest at the occasion along with WOA Treasurer and IOC Athletes Commission Member, Patrick Singleton.<br /><br />The OAI claims to have drawn a road map and has put emphasis on a few areas for the development of the athletes such as out-reach, education and skill development, education and health insurance and pension, mentorship of young athletes, legal advice and IOC athlete career programme.<br /><br />“We want to ensure that all the needs of athletes are taken care of. We have all come together for the first time to celebrate the outstanding contribution of fellow Olympians to Indian sport,” said Keshavan.<br /><br />Rathore hoped the organisation would benefit the Indian athletes. He also praised the grassroots efforts of Sports Authority of India before adding that it could do “a lot more” in grooming world class athletes.<br /><br />“The OAI can greatly help athletes in sorting out their problems. In a country with such a huge population, it is sad that we don't have enough medallists, but we have huge potential. A platform like this for the Olympians can help a lot. It has taken some time for something like this to come up but now that it has, it will do a lot of good to the Indian Olympians," he said.<br /><br />“As for the upcoming Rio Games, I feel we are sending a strong contingent. I would point out that yes the pressure is there but if you see beyond the name of the event, the opponents remain the same, the ring or court remain the same. With 103 athletes qualifying this time, I would prefer to view it as 103 chances for India to win a medal rather than predicting how many medals we will get. Olympics is a lot more about the mental challenge.</p>
<p>The Olympians Association of India (OAI) was launched on Monday, barely a month before the start of Olympic Games in Rio. The non-profit organisation has been founded by the country’s Olympians.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The OAI, affiliated to the World Olympians Association (WOA) under the International Olympic Committee, has been formed to voice the concerns of athletes. It will be working in association with national federations and sports ministry.<br /><br />The organisation has been founded by Winter Olympian Shiva Keshavan, who is also its president, Viren Rasquinha (hockey), Malav Shroff (sailing), Adille Sumariwalla (athletics), Ashwini Nachappa (athletics), Saina Nehwal (badminton), Hakimuddin Habibulla (swimming) and Mary Kom (boxing).<br /><br />Among those who attended the event included Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Jitendra Singh, and Olympic silver medallist and minister for information and broadcasting Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore. The event was also attended by a host of Rio bound athletes, who though were yet to fully grasp the purpose of the organisation. IOC Athletes Commission Chairperson Claudia Bokel was an honoured guest at the occasion along with WOA Treasurer and IOC Athletes Commission Member, Patrick Singleton.<br /><br />The OAI claims to have drawn a road map and has put emphasis on a few areas for the development of the athletes such as out-reach, education and skill development, education and health insurance and pension, mentorship of young athletes, legal advice and IOC athlete career programme.<br /><br />“We want to ensure that all the needs of athletes are taken care of. We have all come together for the first time to celebrate the outstanding contribution of fellow Olympians to Indian sport,” said Keshavan.<br /><br />Rathore hoped the organisation would benefit the Indian athletes. He also praised the grassroots efforts of Sports Authority of India before adding that it could do “a lot more” in grooming world class athletes.<br /><br />“The OAI can greatly help athletes in sorting out their problems. In a country with such a huge population, it is sad that we don't have enough medallists, but we have huge potential. A platform like this for the Olympians can help a lot. It has taken some time for something like this to come up but now that it has, it will do a lot of good to the Indian Olympians," he said.<br /><br />“As for the upcoming Rio Games, I feel we are sending a strong contingent. I would point out that yes the pressure is there but if you see beyond the name of the event, the opponents remain the same, the ring or court remain the same. With 103 athletes qualifying this time, I would prefer to view it as 103 chances for India to win a medal rather than predicting how many medals we will get. Olympics is a lot more about the mental challenge.</p>
