Odisha, India, June 5, 2022: The International Olympic Committee has launched the first Olympic Values Education Programme (OVEP) in India, with the Olympism-themed curriculum being integrated into the school education system in the state of Odisha.
One of the first major IOC projects to be implemented in India, OVEP is being developed in partnership with the Government of Odisha’s Department of School and Mass Education and the Abhinav Bindra Foundation Trust run by India’s first individual Olympic champion.
OVEP is a practical set of resources designed by the IOC to introduce young people to the Olympic values of excellence, respect and friendship. The programme aims to disseminate this values-based curriculum to help children become active, healthy and responsible citizens.
The programme was officially launched on May 24 by the Chief Minister of Odisha, Naveen Patnaik, IOC Olympic Education Commission Chair Mikee Cojuangco Jaworski, IOC Member Nita Ambani, Olympian and member of the IOC Athletes’ Commission Abhinav Bindra and the President of the Indian Olympic Association, Narinder Batra.
In its first year, the programme aims to impact 32,000 children enrolled in 90 schools in the cities of Bhubaneswar and Rourkela and, once in full swing, it will reach around 7 million children. The state of Odisha intends to take OVEP to all its schools and higher education institutions in a phased manner, thereby enabling its young population to truly take on board the Olympic values.
IOC Member Nita Ambani said: “India is a land of great opportunities and infinite possibilities. We have over 250 million children in our schools, brimming with talent and potential. They are the champions of tomorrow, the future of our nation.
“Only a small number of children in the world will become Olympians, but every child can be touched by the ideals of Olympism. That is the mission of OVEP, and that is what makes it a huge opportunity for India.
“As we prepare to host the IOC Session 2023 in Mumbai, I look forward to further strengthening the Olympic Movement in our country.”
Source: www.ioc.org