A high-level delegation from Gujarat visited Lausanne, Switzerland, to engage with key international sports organisations and explore avenues for hosting major global events and strengthening sports-related collaborations.
The delegation was led by Harsh Sanghvi, Minister of Sports, Government of Gujarat, and included PT Usha, President of the Indian Olympic Association; Hari Ranjan Rao, Secretary, Sports, Government of India; Ashwini Kumar, Principal Secretary, Sports, Government of Gujarat; and M. Thennarasan, Principal Secretary, Urban Development, Government of Gujarat.
Among the key engagements was a meeting with the Chairman of SportAccord, the global umbrella body for international sports federations. The delegation extended an invitation for a future edition of the SportAccord conference to be hosted in Gujarat, presenting the state’s infrastructure and preparedness to support global sporting events.
The delegation also met with representatives of Burson to discuss strategies for international sports tournament presentations, focusing on global branding and positioning India—particularly Gujarat—as a competitive host for high-profile events.
Discussions with the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC), which represents 206 National Olympic Committees, explored the scope for hosting ANOC-led events in Gujarat and other Indian states. The dialogue also highlighted India’s capabilities in sports infrastructure and event management.
Further, the delegation met with the President of the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) to deliberate on potential partnerships for hosting volleyball tournaments and promoting the sport’s development in India.
The day concluded with a networking dinner involving young Indian professionals working with international sports federations in Lausanne.
The interaction focused on strengthening professional linkages and identifying areas for future cooperation. The series of meetings marks a concerted effort to build global partnerships and promote Gujarat’s growing role in international sports engagement.
