IOC and Reliance Foundation Join Hands to Spread Olympic Values in India

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Mumbai, October 9, 2023: The International Olympic Committee (IOC), along with the Olympic Museum, has teamed up with the Reliance Foundation to expand the Olympic Values Education Programme (OVEP) in India. They have signed a new agreement to work together, with a shared goal of promoting Olympic values among young people through sports.

The agreement was made official during a visit to the Reliance Foundation Young Champs (RFYC) football academy in Mumbai. IOC President Thomas Bach and Nita Ambani, an IOC Member in India and the Founder Chairperson of Reliance Foundation, were part of the ceremony. During this event, they exchanged special flags representing OVEP and Reliance Foundation and joined students in leaving their handprints on a new Olympic Values Pledge Wall. This wall symbolizes their commitment to being positive role models, not only in sports but also in their everyday lives.

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IOC President Bach said, “Sports can change the lives of young people. We are excited to have Reliance Foundation as a partner for OVEP, and we look forward to bringing Olympic values to more students, starting in Mumbai and hopefully reaching the entire state of Maharashtra. Values like respect, friendship, fair play, and solidarity are important for young people and can stay with them throughout their lives.”

Nita Ambani, Founder and Chairperson of Reliance Foundation, added, “We are thrilled to partner with the IOC for OVEP, which combines sports and education. Through this partnership, we aim to positively impact the 250 million school-going children in India, including those in remote villages. We want to provide them with opportunities for a more disciplined, healthier, and happier lifestyle. Children are our future, and we must ensure they have the right to both education and play.”

To celebrate this partnership, about 80 RFYC students joined more than 100 children from Reliance Foundation schools and their NGO partners for various games. These games showcased how Olympic values can be integrated into both modern and traditional Indian sports like kho-kho, gully cricket, and Markham.

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OVEP is an initiative led by the Olympic Museum, aligning with the IOC’s Olympism365 strategy. The goal is to increase access to sports and bring the physical and societal benefits of physical activity to communities worldwide. OVEP was launched in India in 2022 with the Abhinav Bindra Foundation in the state of Odisha. Just six months after its introduction, schools reported improved attendance and increased participation in sports, especially among girls. The program has expanded to reach over 700 teachers and 250,000 children in 350 schools in Odisha and Assam. When fully implemented, OVEP is expected to engage around 29 million Indian children.

The IOC and Reliance Foundation will focus on three key areas:

1. Activities tailored to different grade levels in selected schools to promote Olympism and Olympic values, encouraging positive behavior.
2. Virtual and in-person sessions where athletes interact with students to promote physical activity and discuss Olympic values.
3. Raising awareness of Olympic values through interactive games, quizzes, and workshops at sports and educational events.

Initiatives like OVEP align with the IOC’s commitment to promote the benefits of sports and encourage a healthy lifestyle. For more information, you can refer to the Olympic Agenda 2020+5.