Speaking exclusively to IANS, he added that the depth of talent in Indian shooting is immense. When asked if he had plans to take over as coach in the near future, Bindra said "no."
The former Indian shooter also explained the collaboration between the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Abhinav Bindra Foundation, designed to inspire physical activity and celebrate the 2024 Games.
Below are excerpts from the interview:IANS: With the Paris Games just a month away, how many medals do you think India can win in shooting? Since Tokyo was empty!
AB: Predicting the exact number of medals is a challenge, but I am optimistic about our chances in Paris. Our shooters have been training rigorously and with the right support and preparation, I believe we have the potential to achieve multiple medals.
IANS: Who do you think can become the next Abhinav Bindra of the shoot? Any chance of taking up the coaching role in the Indian team?AB: The depth of talent in Indian shooting is immense and I am confident that we will continue to produce many champions in the years to come. For my part, I have no intentions of devoting myself to coaching.
IANS: Indian shooters perform well in other major tournaments, but when it comes to the Olympics, they often fall short. What do you think is the reason?
AB: We must unite and support our athletes wholeheartedly. Shooting has won Olympic medals in the past and there is no reason why we cannot achieve this success again in the future.IANS: How is the collaboration between the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Reliance Foundation and the Abhinav Bindra Foundation to inspire physical activity and celebrate the Paris Olympics?
AB: The collaboration between the IOC, Reliance Foundation and Abhinav Bindra Foundation is based on the 'Let's Move India' initiative. This program aims to inspire physical activity by engaging people of all ages in celebrating the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Through a series of digital challenges and regional school initiatives, we encourage people to participate in various forms of movement, whether it be dance, local sports or athletic celebrations. This partnership not only highlights the importance of physical well-being, but also brings communities together in a shared celebration of our athletes heading to Paris 2024.
IANS: What role do schools play in the Program for Education in Olympic Values (PEVO) as part of this collaborative effort?AB: Schools play a fundamental role in the Program for Education in Olympic Values (PEVO), as they serve as primary platforms to engage young minds. Through PEVO, we integrate the fundamental values of Olympism (excellence, respect and friendship) into the educational framework. Schools across the country participate in physical activities, educational workshops and community events, fostering a culture of physical fitness and sportsmanship. This participation ensures that children not only stay active but also internalize the positive values associated with the Olympic movement. Through my foundation, ABF, we work with schoolchildren to experience these values through sport, art and activities, which helps them assimilate values and skills for 21st century life.
IANS: How has the initiative positively impacted children in Odisha and Assam, and how many children have benefited from it?
AB: The initiative has had a significant positive impact on children in Odisha and Assam, improving their physical activity levels, promoting gender inclusion and improving educational outcomes. Through our collaborative efforts, we have reached and benefited more than 7 million children. These children have gained access to better sports facilities, training and educational resources, encouraging holistic development that combines physical fitness with academic growth.IANS: How does the Abhinav Bindra Foundation contribute to promoting physical well-being?
AB: The Abhinav Bindra Foundation helps promote physical well-being through various initiatives focused on sports science, athlete training and community engagement. Our high-performance training centers provide grassroots athletes with access to state-of-the-art facilities and professional training. Additionally, our STEAM and Sport4Her initiatives aim to develop young athletes, particularly girls, while our Sport of Life and Athlete Mental Wellness programs offer surgical assistance and mental health support, respectively. We are also focused on addressing the environment and climate change through the Olympic Forest Project. By integrating global best practices, we strive to create a supportive environment that encourages physical and mental well-being.
IANS: What is the mission of the Olympic Movement in terms of improving physical and mental health through sports? AB: The mission of the Olympic Movement is to make the world a better place through sports by improving physical and mental health. This mission is achieved by promoting regular physical activity, fostering community spirit, and encouraging healthy lifestyles. The "Let's Move" initiative exemplifies this mission by inspiring millions of people around the world to engage in daily physical activity, which in turn improves overall well-being and creates a more active and healthy global community.
IANS: Why is it important to support Indian athletes for the Paris 2024 Olympics and how does this collaboration aim to achieve that goal?
AB: Supporting Indian athletes for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games is vital to highlight the incredible talent and dedication within our sporting community on a global platform. Through initiatives like “Let’s Move India”, we aim to generate widespread support and enthusiasm, significantly boosting the morale of our athletes. The Olympic movement is gaining ground in India, and with the Honorable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's vision of hosting the Olympic Games in 2036, programs like PEVO and Let's Move India are crucial in connecting young audiences with the global community. Additionally, our efforts to promote physical activity at the grassroots level are essential to fostering a strong pipeline of future Olympic athletes.
The former Indian shooter also explained the collaboration between the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Abhinav Bindra Foundation, designed to inspire physical activity and celebrate the 2024 Games.
Below are excerpts from the interview:IANS: With the Paris Games just a month away, how many medals do you think India can win in shooting? Since Tokyo was empty!
AB: Predicting the exact number of medals is a challenge, but I am optimistic about our chances in Paris. Our shooters have been training rigorously and with the right support and preparation, I believe we have the potential to achieve multiple medals.
IANS: Who do you think can become the next Abhinav Bindra of the shoot? Any chance of taking up the coaching role in the Indian team?AB: The depth of talent in Indian shooting is immense and I am confident that we will continue to produce many champions in the years to come. For my part, I have no intentions of devoting myself to coaching.
IANS: Indian shooters perform well in other major tournaments, but when it comes to the Olympics, they often fall short. What do you think is the reason?
AB: We must unite and support our athletes wholeheartedly. Shooting has won Olympic medals in the past and there is no reason why we cannot achieve this success again in the future.IANS: How is the collaboration between the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Reliance Foundation and the Abhinav Bindra Foundation to inspire physical activity and celebrate the Paris Olympics?
AB: The collaboration between the IOC, Reliance Foundation and Abhinav Bindra Foundation is based on the 'Let's Move India' initiative. This program aims to inspire physical activity by engaging people of all ages in celebrating the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Through a series of digital challenges and regional school initiatives, we encourage people to participate in various forms of movement, whether it be dance, local sports or athletic celebrations. This partnership not only highlights the importance of physical well-being, but also brings communities together in a shared celebration of our athletes heading to Paris 2024.
IANS: What role do schools play in the Program for Education in Olympic Values (PEVO) as part of this collaborative effort?AB: Schools play a fundamental role in the Program for Education in Olympic Values (PEVO), as they serve as primary platforms to engage young minds. Through PEVO, we integrate the fundamental values of Olympism (excellence, respect and friendship) into the educational framework. Schools across the country participate in physical activities, educational workshops and community events, fostering a culture of physical fitness and sportsmanship. This participation ensures that children not only stay active but also internalize the positive values associated with the Olympic movement. Through my foundation, ABF, we work with schoolchildren to experience these values through sport, art and activities, which helps them assimilate values and skills for 21st century life.
IANS: How has the initiative positively impacted children in Odisha and Assam, and how many children have benefited from it?
AB: The initiative has had a significant positive impact on children in Odisha and Assam, improving their physical activity levels, promoting gender inclusion and improving educational outcomes. Through our collaborative efforts, we have reached and benefited more than 7 million children. These children have gained access to better sports facilities, training and educational resources, encouraging holistic development that combines physical fitness with academic growth.IANS: How does the Abhinav Bindra Foundation contribute to promoting physical well-being?
AB: The Abhinav Bindra Foundation helps promote physical well-being through various initiatives focused on sports science, athlete training and community engagement. Our high-performance training centers provide grassroots athletes with access to state-of-the-art facilities and professional training. Additionally, our STEAM and Sport4Her initiatives aim to develop young athletes, particularly girls, while our Sport of Life and Athlete Mental Wellness programs offer surgical assistance and mental health support, respectively. We are also focused on addressing the environment and climate change through the Olympic Forest Project. By integrating global best practices, we strive to create a supportive environment that encourages physical and mental well-being.
IANS: What is the mission of the Olympic Movement in terms of improving physical and mental health through sports? AB: The mission of the Olympic Movement is to make the world a better place through sports by improving physical and mental health. This mission is achieved by promoting regular physical activity, fostering community spirit, and encouraging healthy lifestyles. The "Let's Move" initiative exemplifies this mission by inspiring millions of people around the world to engage in daily physical activity, which in turn improves overall well-being and creates a more active and healthy global community.
IANS: Why is it important to support Indian athletes for the Paris 2024 Olympics and how does this collaboration aim to achieve that goal?
AB: Supporting Indian athletes for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games is vital to highlight the incredible talent and dedication within our sporting community on a global platform. Through initiatives like “Let’s Move India”, we aim to generate widespread support and enthusiasm, significantly boosting the morale of our athletes. The Olympic movement is gaining ground in India, and with the Honorable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's vision of hosting the Olympic Games in 2036, programs like PEVO and Let's Move India are crucial in connecting young audiences with the global community. Additionally, our efforts to promote physical activity at the grassroots level are essential to fostering a strong pipeline of future Olympic athletes.
