IOC Applauds Reliance Foundation Initiative; Millions of Indian Children Connecting with Olympic Values
New Delhi, : On the occasion of International Women’s Day, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has highlighted the efforts of women around the world who are promoting Olympic values through education and community initiatives. In a special article published on its website, the IOC has prominently cited the programme being implemented in India with the support of Reliance Foundation as a leading example.
According to the article, the Olympic Values Education Programme (OVEP) is helping spread values such as sportsmanship, respect, fairness, and teamwork among children across India. Since 2024, the initiative has expanded rapidly, reaching nearly 12 million children in more than 65,000 schools nationwide.
The initiative, implemented through a collaboration between the IOC and Reliance Foundation, has also extended to Anganwadi centres, bringing the programme to rural and lower-income communities. Across 120 Anganwadi centres, women facilitators have conducted over 1,200 OVEP sessions so far.
The article cites the example of Ruchi, a student associated with an Anganwadi centre in Madhya Pradesh, to illustrate how sports-based activities and value-driven learning are helping build confidence and participation among children—particularly girls.
The IOC article also acknowledges the role of Nita Ambani, Chairperson of Reliance Foundation and a member of the International Olympic Committee. She has been closely associated with efforts to expand the Olympic movement in India and promote sports and Olympic values among wider sections of society.
Along with India, the IOC article also highlights initiatives from Saudi Arabia, Senegal, and Italy, where women are playing an important role in connecting Olympic values with education and community engagement.
