Pune: Deccan Gymkhana Club to Celebrate Centenary of India’s Olympic Debut with an Olympic Festival
Pune, India – July 24, 2024: Continuing with legacy of fostering athletic talent, Deccan Gymkhana Club will be organizing an Olympics Festival from 26 July to 11 August 2024.
This event aims to celebrate the Olympic spirit and provide a platform for young athletes to showcase their skills and passion for sports.
In 1920, under the visionary leadership of Sir Dorabji Tata, the Deccan Gymkhana Club played a pivotal role in sending the first Indian squad to the Antwerp Olympics, marking a significant milestone in Indian sports history.
Mr.Miheer Kelkar, Hon. General Secretary and Mr. Girish Inamdar, Finance Secretary of Deccan Gymkhana Club said that, “We are immensely proud of our historic contribution to India’s Olympic journey. As we celebrate the centenary of this momentous occasion, we are excited to host the Olympic Festival to honor our past and inspire the future. We look forward to the support and participation of the sports community in making this event a grand success.”
The special sports fortnight event will be inaugurated by Olympians Anjali Bhagwat and Nikhil Kanetkar on July 26th, 2024 at 6 pm .
The programs include talk show by Dr.Shirish More Talk on Sports a Career Optio on 27th July 2024 at 6pm. Talk Show & experience sharing of Olympian Mr.Murlikant Petkar(Movie: ChanduChampion Real Hero) & Mr.Rahul Singh on 28th July 2024 at 6pm and talk shows by Olympian Mr.Vishnu Vardhan and International Cricketer Mr.Rahul Tripathi on 9th August 2024 at 6pm.
The festival will also feature a variety of sports activities, competitions, and events designed to celebrate the Olympic spirit and provide a platform for young athletes to showcase their talents in various sports like Table Tennis , Tennis, Basketball, Volleyball, and Swimming .
Note
Pioneering Role of Deccan Gymkhana Club in India’s Olympic Journey
In 1920, India sent its first squad to the Antwerp Olympics, a landmark event in the annals of Indian sports history. This pioneering initiative was made possible by the dedicated efforts of the Deccan Gymkhana Club and the visionary leadership of Sir Dorabji Tata who was then the President of Deccan Gymkhana Club.
The Deccan Gymkhana Club, established in 1906 in Pune, has always been at the forefront of promoting sports and nurturing athletic talent in India. Our club provided the training ground and resources necessary for the athletes to prepare for the global stage.
The first time trials of the team were conducted at Deccan Gymkhana Club.Sir Dorabji Tata, a stalwart in Indian sports, played a crucial role in organizing and supporting this historic endeavor. His unwavering commitment to the promotion of sports and his belief in India’s potential on the international stage were instrumental in sending the first Indian squad to the Olympics.
This collaborative effort not only marked India’s debut in the Olympic Games but also set a precedent for future generations of athletes.
