Why Did PT Usha and Harsh Sanghvi Fly to Lausanne?

July 1, 2025: A high-level Indian sports delegation, led by Gujarat Sports Minister Harsh Sanghvi and Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President PT Usha, held key meetings in Lausanne, Switzerland — the headquarters of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) — to push India’s global sports ambitions.

The delegation, which also included Hari Ranjan Rao (Secretary, Sports Union), Ashwini Kumar (Principal Secretary, Sports, Gujarat), and Thenarasan (Principal Secretary, Urban Development, Gujarat), engaged in a series of high-impact discussions with top international sports bodies.

Also Read: Can Kho Kho Become India’s Next Olympic Sport?

Among the major developments:

• India formally pitched Gujarat as the host for the prestigious SportAccord Conference, presenting the state’s robust infrastructure and event-hosting capacity.
• Meetings with Team Burson focused on crafting stronger international tournament strategies to elevate India’s sporting visibility.
• A pivotal engagement with the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) explored the scope of bringing ANOC events to India, emphasizing the country’s hospitality and world-class facilities.
• Talks with the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) aimed at promoting volleyball and hosting international-level competitions in India.
• The delegation also connected with young Indian professionals currently working in global sports bodies, using the opportunity to build networks and share future collaboration ideas.

These strategic meetings underscore India’s rising global profile in sports diplomacy, with Gujarat emerging as a central player in the push to make the country a hub for international sporting events.