Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has launched India’s first Olympic Values ​​Education Program (OVEP) in the state. It will be implemented in 90 schools across two smart cities Bhubaneswar and Rourkela in the first phase. OVEP was launched in 27 schools in Rourkela and 63 schools in Bhubaneswar.

The first Olympic Values ​​Education (OVEP) program in India was launched by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The OVEP was developed in partnership with the Department of School and Mass Education, Government of Odisha and the Abhinav Bindra Foundation Trust (ABFT). The program was officially launched earlier on Tuesday by the Chief Minister of Odisha, Naveen Patnaik.

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In its first year, the program aims to reach 32,000 children enrolled in 90 schools in the cities of Bhubaneswar and Rourkela and when in full swing it will reach around 7 million children. Odisha State intends to introduce OVEP to all its schools and colleges in a phased manner, allowing its young population to truly embrace the Olympic values.

Chief Minister Naveen Pattnaik said: “This will be the start of a new Olympic movement in the country. Our children will discover and benefit from the Olympic values ​​of excellence, friendship and respect. Sport is an important part of our vision for the education and character development of our students in Odisha, which we have always strived for excellence in the education sector as well as in sport. Odisha is emerging as a major sports hub in India and will continue to dominate the sports sector through its partnerships. it is a privilege to engage with the IOC to launch this programme. We thank the IOC for partnering with us in this effort to excel in sport. »

The Olympic Values ​​Education Program was launched in 90 schools in Khorda and Sundaragah districts. Students will be prepared for the Olympics through this program. It is the first in the country. Students will have every chance to be an Olympian, that is the motto of this program, said Minister of Schools and Mass Education, Samar Dash.

IOC Member Nita Ambani hailed the launch of the first “Olympic Values ​​Education Program” (OVEP) in India, stressing that OVEP combines the twin powers of education and sport.

“India is a land of great opportunities and endless 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. Alone a small number of children in the world can become Olympians, but every child can be touched by the ideals of Olympism.This is the mission of OVEP, and this is what makes it a huge opportunity for India As we prepare to host the IOC Session 2023 in Mumbai next year, I look forward to further strengthening the Olympic Movement in our country,” she said.

The Olympic Values ​​Education Program is a series of free and accessible educational resources created by the IOC, to complement academic programs using the context of Olympic sports and the fundamental principles of Olympism. Participants are encouraged to experience values-based learning and take responsibility for good citizenship. The program aims to spread this values-based curriculum to help children grow into active, healthy and responsible citizens. A landmark initiative of the Indian Olympic movement, the launch of the OVEP is part of the prestigious IOC Session 2023.

Chair of the Olympic Education Commission – Mikaela Cojuangco Jaworski, IOC Member – Nita Ambani, IOA President – ​​Narinder Dhruv Batra, Director of the Olympic Foundation for Culture and Change – Angelita Teo, Minister of Sports Tushar Kanti Behera, Chief Secretary Shri Suresh Mohapatra Commissioner and Sports Secretary Vyneel Krishna among others attended the events.

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