Ahmedabad : Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU), an Institution of National Importance under the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, announced a series of strategic initiatives aimed at strengthening India’s sports research, governance framework, and global sporting engagement.
The announcements were made during a media interaction held at Karnavati Club, Ahmedabad, chaired by Prof. (Dr.) Bimal N. Patel, Vice-Chancellor, RRU, along with Mr. Yash Sharma, Director, School of Physical Education and Sports (SPES), and Dr. Utsav Chaware, Director, Bharat Centre of Olympic Research & Education (BCORE).
BCORE Positions India as a Regional Hub for Olympic Research
Established in June 2024, the Bharat Centre of Olympic Research and Education (BCORE) at RRU is India and South Asia’s first Olympic Studies Centre recognised by the International Olympic Committee. The centre focuses on Olympic education, sports governance, interdisciplinary research, and international academic collaboration.
BCORE has been actively implementing IOC educational initiatives, supporting research-driven policy development, and fostering global partnerships to strengthen India’s Olympic knowledge and governance ecosystem.
RRU to Host World Police and Fire Games 2029 Disciplines
RRU announced that it will host eight sporting disciplines of the World Police and Fire Games 2029, marking India’s first role as a host nation for this global Olympic-style sporting event for police and fire service personnel.
The disciplines include Wrist Wrestling, Bench Press, Bodybuilding, Cross Country (10 km), Push-Pull Lifting, Muster, Indoor Rowing, and Darts. The biennial Games attract more than 9,000 athletes from across the world and feature over 60 sports.
Following observations at the 2025 USA edition—where Indian athletes won over 600 medals—RRU has prepared a structured roadmap outlining best practices for hosting large-scale international sporting events such as the Commonwealth Games, Asian Games, and Youth Olympic Games.
To support the Games, the university has established a dedicated Secretariat and is developing a trained volunteer pool of 500 personnel. RRU’s School of Physical Education and Sports houses a Human Performance Laboratory that has tested over 4,000 individuals and conducted more than 50 applied research studies. The university is also developing a Sports Indoor Complex and an Anti-Doping Laboratory.
International Olympic Research Conference 2026 Announced
BCORE announced the second edition of the International Olympic Research Conference (IORC 2026), scheduled from January 27 to 30, 2026, at the RRU campus in Gandhinagar.
The conference will bring together global Olympic Studies Centres, National Olympic Committees, sports administrators, academics, researchers, and policymakers. The theme for IORC 2026 is “Building a Sustainable Olympic Ecosystem through Education, Governance, and Research.”
The agenda will focus on Olympic education, sports development in educational institutions, governance and ethics in sport, transparency and accountability, anti-doping frameworks, and affordable sports science innovations.
A key highlight will be a two-day anti-doping workshop conducted in collaboration with the National Anti-Doping Agency, featuring experts from the World Anti-Doping Agency. The workshop aims to strengthen India’s capabilities in forensic sports science, regulatory compliance, and sports integrity.
In a first-of-its-kind initiative, IORC 2026 will also introduce a “Call for Stories,” inviting athletes and coaches to share practical experiences and field-based insights alongside academic research, broadening participation in sports knowledge creation.
BCORE Night Run 2026 to Promote Inclusive Community Engagement
BCORE also announced the BCORE Night Run 2026, scheduled for January 10, 2026, in Gandhinagar. The mass participation event aims to promote night safety, inclusivity, and Olympic values by bringing together civilians, law enforcement personnel, and para-athletes.
With multiple distance categories and inclusive formats, the initiative seeks to strengthen community engagement through sport while reinforcing public safety awareness.
Building Long-Term Sports Infrastructure and Governance Capacity
Addressing the media, Prof. (Dr.) Bimal N. Patel said that RRU’s initiatives reflect a long-term institutional approach focused on research-led sports development, global collaboration, and governance excellence.
As India prepares for major international sporting ambitions—including the World Police and Fire Games 2029 and future Olympic aspirations—Rashtriya Raksha University and BCORE are emerging as key contributors to India’s evolving sports policy, research, and international engagement landscape.
