The Sports Development Committee of The Bengal Chamber headed by Mr. Subrata Dutta, Sr. Vice President All India Football Federation (AIFF), and Chairman Indian Football Federation (IFA), had organized a Digital Webinar “Olympics er Adda” on 10th July 2021, to discuss India’s Medal Prospects in the upcoming Tokyo Olympics. 

Dr. Narinder Dhruv Batra, President of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), President International Hockey Federation, and Member, International Olympic Committee (IOC) attended the webinar as Chief Guest.  There was also an Adda Session with the three Ex- Olympians Ms. Soma Biswas, Ms. Dola Banerjee and Mr. Joydeep Karmakar and Sports Administrator Dr. Partha Ganguly.  Sports Historian Mr. Boria Majumdar conducted the programme. 

Mr. Smarajit Purkayastha, Deputy Director General, BCC&I in his opening remarks said The Chamber is indebted to Dr. Batra for taking time out to address this programme.  Mr. Tanmoy Banerjee, Co-Chairperson of The Committee in his Welcome Address mentioned that the Sports Committee always hosts various “Sports Adda” at relevant times before significant global sporting events. The Committee believes it is their duty to enlighten the Sports lovers of the city about the recent happening in the world of sports. 

During his interactions with Mr. Boria Majumder, Dr. Narinder Dhruv Batra reiterated his belief that this is the best team that India has ever sent to the Olympics. The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has been monitoring the progress of each participant for the last 3 years. Starting from their physical fitness to their diet, everything has been taken care of. The IOA has also been in continuous discussion with all the different sports federations for the training of the sportsmen. IOA has also tried to provide the best training by sending them to foreign countries for better practice and amenities. Dr. Batra also urged the different Business Houses who have also started coming forward to fund Indian sports to primarily fund athletes from the grassroots level, so that the Country prepares more athletes for the international arena. He mentioned about the prospects of the Indian Men’s Hockey Team this time. Even the women team is also doing well. He also requested the Business houses to pick up a sport to fund and nurture the players as it will be a great service to the nation. 

During the Adda Session, Ms. Dola Banerjee mentioned that Deepika Kumari in the womens Archery Team is a strong contender for medal this year and the Mixed doubles team of Archery should also win medals if they can handle pressure. 

Ms. Soma Biswas and Mr. Joydeep Karmakar were also sure that the Indian Athletic team and Shooting team would definitely win medals for the country. Mr. Karmakar said this is the best shooting team in recent times that is representing India in the Olympics. 

Sports Administrator and Bio bubble expert Dr. Parth Sarathi Ganguly said since there will be 70,000 people in the Olympic village the committee must take adequate precautions and there should be sufficient arrangements for Isolation centres. 

Mr. Sekhar Biswas, Member, The Sports Development Committee, ended the program with an optimistic note that Indian Contingents will take the medal tally to double digit for the first time in the history of Indian Olympic performance.