Anju Bobby George predicts "phenomenal results" for India at Los Angeles 2028 ©Getty Images

Indian world long jump bronze medallist Anju Bobby George has predicted for her country to see "phenomenal results" at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

The 45-year-old is a member of the Government's Mission Olympic Cell group which has devised a roadmap to achieve podium places at the next two editions of the Games.

It provides athletes with coaches, support staff, equipment and any other help instantly, something she says was unimaginable in her athletic career in the 1990s and 2000s.

Athletes have been put into categories of those who are already capable of winning a medal and those who can come closer to that with the right training.

Bobby George feels that Paris 2024 is too soon for India to achieve anything remarkable but predicts a record medal haul could come at Los Angeles 2028.

"As many junior players are performing exceptionally well on the world stage now, I feel India is all set to be a sports superpower in the coming years," she wrote for The Economic Times.

"As the next Olympics is around the corner, we can't expect a very big medal haul.

Anju Bobby George feels that household names such as Neeraj Chopra, pictured, will inspire more Indians to take up Olympic sports ©Getty Images
Anju Bobby George feels that household names such as Neeraj Chopra, pictured, will inspire more Indians to take up Olympic sports ©Getty Images

"There is hardly any time left.

"We should improve from our medal tally in Tokyo, though. 

"We will see phenomenal results only in the 2028 Olympics.

"We are also supporting junior athletes, keeping 2028 in mind.

"We hope they will be well trained by then to compete with the best of world players.

"We have also identified some sports categories where we can perform better and win medals.

"Cycling, swimming, fencing etc, are on our radar.

"We are identifying and supporting talents in these sports. 

Badminton player PV Sindhu, who won Olympic medals at Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020, is starting to become more appreciated in her native India, according to Anju Bobby George ©Getty Images
Badminton player PV Sindhu, who won Olympic medals at Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020, is starting to become more appreciated in her native India, according to Anju Bobby George ©Getty Images

"Athletics, weightlifting, wrestling, boxing, hockey, badminton etc, however, continue to be the mainstay."

Bobby George says that more Indians are starting to appreciate the accomplishments of athletes in multi-sport events, with the likes of Tokyo 2020 champion Neeraj Chopra and Rio 2016 runner-up P.V. Sindhu becoming household names.

She claims that the Indian Sports Ministry has also become highly involved in the scouting process at district level, with large competitions being organised to spot grassroots talent.

"Our sports persons are competing and winning medals at every big sporting event," concluded the Paris 2003 World Athletics Championships medallist.

"As I keep saying, India is on the right track to be a sports superpower soon."

India's best Olympic showing came at Tokyo 2020 when they won one gold, two silver, and four bronze medals.