In March 2024, Sports Minister Anurag Thakur announced the establishment of how many National Centres of Excellence(NCOE) exclusively for women on the occasion of International Women’s Day?

Correct option is A

The correct answer is (A) Two.

On March 8, 2024 (International Women’s Day), Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur announced the establishment of two National Centres of Excellence (NCOE) exclusively for women in Guwahati (Assam) and Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh). These centers aim to train female athletes in 23 priority sports disciplines under the Sports Authority of India (SAI). The initiative aligns with India's efforts to enhance women's participation in sports ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Information Booster

• National Centres of Excellence (NCOE) for Women

  • Announced: March 8, 2024
  • Locations: Guwahati (Assam) and Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh)
  • Focus: 23 Olympic disciplines
  • Objective: Enhance India’s female athlete representation in global sports events

• Government Support for Women’s Sports

  • Budget Allocation 2024-25: ₹3,397.32 crore for sports development
  • Khelo India Scheme: ₹1,045 crore to promote grassroots sports
  • TOPS (Target Olympic Podium Scheme): ₹250 crore for elite athlete training
  • SAI Training Centers: 67 training centers across India for women athletes

• Upcoming International Events for Women’s Sports

  • Asian Games 2026 (Nagoya, Japan)
  • Los Angeles Olympics 2028 (USA)

These initiatives are part of the Government of India's Vision 2047 to make India a leading sports nation.