The first Olympic Values Education Programme (OVEP) of India by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) was launched today in Odisha. OVEP combines the twin powers of education and sport in instilling the core values of Olympism.

The OVEP is a practical set of resources designed by the IOC to introduce young people to the Olympic values of excellence, respect and friendship. The programme aims to disseminate this values-based curriculum to help children become active, healthy and responsible citizens. A landmark initiative in Olympic movement of India, the launch of OVEP comes as a build-up to the prestigious IOC 2023 Session, which would be held in Mumbai.

Earlier this year, IOC Member Nita Ambani led an Indian delegation for its bid to host the IOC Session in 2023, where India was near unanimously awarded the rights after a gap of 40 years. The IOC Session in India marks a new era in Indian sports history, giving a boost to ultimate Olympic aspirations of India with a sports ecosystem in the country which would encourage and empower the youth to hone their skills and bring global laurels.

The OVEP was officially launched through video conference by Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, IOC Member Nita Ambani, IOC Education Commission Chair Mikaela Cojuangco Jaworski, Olympian and member of the IOC Athletes Commission Abhinav Bindra and President of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) Narinder Batra.

OVEP will be integrated into the school education system of Odisha. The programme is being developed in partnership with the Department of School & Mass Education, the Government of Odisha and the Abhinav Bindra Foundation Trust.

The OVEP-based projects and activities help address the global challenges of sedentary lifestyles, lack of concentration, and adolescents dropping out of school. The resources and toolkits are designed to make it possible for young people to enjoy and learn from physical activity and gain lifelong social, cognitive and physical skills.

In its first year, the programme aims to impact 32,000 children enrolled in 90 schools in the cities of Bhubaneswar and Rourkela and, once in full swing, it will reach around seven million children. The state of Odisha intends to take OVEP to all its schools and higher education institutions in a phased manner, thereby enabling its young population to truly take on board the Olympic values.

The Olympic Foundation for Culture and Heritage (olympics.com), which leads the OVEP programme for the IOC, will conduct training sessions for master trainers nominated by the state of Odisha, along with trainers from the ABFT, who will in turn kick-start the programme with focus groups of eight to ten schools in the state. Orientation sessions will be held for school principals, education and sports officials, and other core group members involved in the project.

The Olympic Values Education Programme is a series of free and accessible teaching resources created by the IOC, to complement academic curricula using the context of Olympic sports and the core principles of Olympism. Participants are encouraged to experience values-based learning and to assume the responsibilities of good citizenship. OVEP communicates the long-term benefits of sport and physical activity through an understanding of Olympism and its impact on individual health, enjoyment, and social interaction.