New Sports Minister Mandaviya meets IOA chief Usha; takes stock of Olympic preparations

New Sports Minister Mandaviya reviews India's Olympic preparations with IOA President Usha in New Delhi.

Newly-appointed Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on June 13 took stock of India's Olympic preparations during a meeting with IOA President P T Usha in New Delhi.

Mr. Mandaviya took charge of the ministry on June 11 after the new NDA government, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was sworn to office on June 9. Mr. Mandaviya replaced Anurag Thakur in the position.

During the over one hour long meeting, which was also attended by new Minister of State for Sports, Raksha Khadse, Sports Secretary Sujata Chaturvedi, and Sports Authority of India Director General Sandip Pradhan among others, Mr. Mandaviya was briefed about country's preparations for Paris Games.

"I today visited the IOA officials for the first time where they briefed me about India's preparation for Paris Olympics. The government is committed to extend all possible support," Mandaviya said in a brief address to the media.

Usha said the interaction with the minister went well but did not divulge the details.

"The Sports Minister today visited IOA along with the Minister of State for Sports and I am so happy that they wanted to know about IOA and about Paris preparations.

"We have done everything good this time and I have briefed him. We will be in contact every week and I hope that this is good for our Olympic athletes," she said.