Virendra Sharma MP

Welcoming the Indian Olympic Team

On Thursday 26 July, the Indian High Commission hosted an event to welcome and honour the Indian Olympic team to wish them all the best for the games. With the presence of the Dr Bhagwati, I met with Minister of Sport and Member of Parliament for India, Ajay Maken. Mr Maken said that he would offer all past and present medal winners at the Olympics a coaching job that would massively motivate the 81 Olympians.

Mr Maken said “roles would be available at the Sports Authority of India, which trains athletes in centres across the country and would assure the athletes a job for life”. He went on to say "In India, there is so much excitement and expectation from the Olympic contingent. For the first time, India is represented by 81-strong contingent. This is the biggest reason for such expectations. Last time the Indian contingent was 56-member strong".

Welcoming the Indian Olympic Team, the High Commissioner of India, Dr Bhagwati wished "all athletes particularly Indian athletes and other sportsmen and women success in the Olympics".

Amongst the number of athletes that attended, supporting staff and Lords also graced the occasion including Baroness Verma, Lord Paul, Lord Sheikh and Lord Noon.

Having welcomed the Olympic torch to Ealing Southall and with the incredible excitement brought by the Olympic Ceremony, the entire nation is overjoyed with Olympic spirit. With the recent Opening of the Olympics, I was proud to see the Opening Ceremony award the NHS for its particular contribution here in the UK. As a member of the Health Select Committee and with the pending threat to close Ealing Hospital, I believe this would have touched many of my constituents in Ealing Southall.

I wish all the best for the athletes and hope that everyone joins in on the excitement!