Contemporary issues of Sports in India
![sports in india](https://next-ias-appsquadz.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/file_library/mix_content/423685345186259100_image.jpg)
1.
What is the history of sports in India?
- India, a land rich in history, tradition, and culture, has always been a hub for activity in many aspects.
Ancient and medieval period:
- The world's oldest stadium with terraced stands was constructed in Dholavira, Gujarat, during the third millennium BCE.
- The mantra in the Atharvaveda says, "Duty is in my right hand and the fruits of victory in my left." This resembles the Olympic Oath: "For the Honour of my Country and the Glory of Sport."
- India has a rich heritage of martial arts. In the Mahabharata and Ramayana, Bhima and Hanuman were the greatest Gadadhari and were skilled in wrestling.
- Board games, including chess and snakes and ladders, originated from the ancient Indian games chaturanga and gyan chauper respectively and later these games went to foreign countries, where they would be modernized.
British Colonial period:
![hockey players](https://next-ias-appsquadz.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/file_library/mix_content/189679857603499420_image.jpg)
- During the colonial period, British India competed at six Olympic Games, winning medals in field hockey.
- Dorabji Tata, with the support of Dr. A.G. Noehren, the then- director of YMCA, established the Indian Olympic Association in 1927.
- One of the world's earliest football clubs, the Mohun Bagan was established in 1889. The club was formed when The Football Association began making standard rules for football.
2.
What are the Achievements of India in Sports before Independence?
![Achievements of India in Sports before Independence](https://next-ias-appsquadz.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/file_library/mix_content/447177049724677440_image.jpg)
Olympics:
- The 1900 Paris Olympics became memorable in Indian sport's history with the astounding performance of Norman Gilbert Pritchard, a British-Indian athlete.
Wrestling:
![Great Gama](https://www.nextias.com/resources/images/great-gama-1723267092362.png)
- The 1900 Paris Olympics became memorable in Indian sport's history with the astounding performance of Norman Gilbert Pritchard, a British-Indian athlete.
- The prominent wrestler of the British Indian Empire, Ghulam Mohammad Baksh, aka the Great Gama was the ultimate winner of the John Bull World Championships after a long and fierce wrestling bout held in September 1910 with Polish wrestler Stanislaus Zbyszko.
- Bruce Lee took inspiration from Great Gama used to follow his exercise routines.
Football:
![football players](https://next-ias-appsquadz.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/file_library/mix_content/794165621526180200_image.jpg)
- The unforgettable victorious performance by the barefoot Bengali boys of Mohun Bagan in 1911. These Indian footballers defeated the well-equipped East Yorkshire Regiment team at the breathtaking final match barefoot.
- They emerged as the winner of the IFA Shield Tournament with an applaudable score of 2-1, becoming the first Indian football club to do so and were entitled as the "The Immortal Eleven".
Hockey:
![hockey players](https://next-ias-appsquadz.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/file_library/mix_content/248892676930015100_image.jpg)
- In the era of the "Hockey Wizard" Major Dhyan Chand, the Indian National Hockey Team attained much prominence for its consecutive gold victories in the Olympic Games of 1928, 1932, and 1936.
- The team continued with a 30-0 winning streak until 1960 and was also the first Non-European team to become a part of the International Hockey Federation.
Cricket:
![cricket players](https://next-ias-appsquadz.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/file_library/mix_content/769024284048336900_image.jpg)
- India was introduced to this amazing game of bat and ball by European sailors in the 18th century. Few of our legendary players of the era such as Ranjit Singh and Duleep Singh have played in the British Empire phase.
- On 25th June,1932 when India had its first Test match at the Lord's Ground and became the sixth country to attain Test status. C.K. Naidu led the first Indian Test team.
3.
What is the model of Sports Governance in India?
![model of Sports Governance in India](https://next-ias-appsquadz.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/file_library/mix_content/675078573821054300_image.jpg)
4.
What are the contemporary issues of sports in india?
Issues | Analysis |
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Administrative Issues |
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Sexual Harassment |
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Lack of Infrastructure |
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Gender bias |
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Lack of Sporting Culture |
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Lack of Funding in sports |
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Cricket Dominance |
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Corruption & Mismanageme nt of sports authorities: |
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Rise in Political Interference |
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Doping issue |
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Lack of remuneration & Job Security |
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Cultural and Societal Norms |
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Celebrity Culture |
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Religious Obstacles |
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5.
What are the initiatives taken to overcome challenges of sports in india?
Initiatives | Description |
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Fit India Movement: |
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Khelo India: |
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Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS): |
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The National Sports Development Fund (NSDF) |
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Schemes for the Indian Sports Authority (SAI) |
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Mission Olympics 2024 |
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Scheme for Sports & Games for People with Disabilities: |
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National Centre of Sports Sciences and Research (NCSSR): |
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6.
Enlist recent achievements by India in Sports?
Olympics:
![india's olympics Medals](https://next-ias-appsquadz.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/file_library/mix_content/402282303784078660_image.jpg)
Asian Games:
![Asian Games](https://next-ias-appsquadz.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/file_library/mix_content/619079519649217700_image.jpg)
Cricket:
![Cricket](https://next-ias-appsquadz.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/file_library/mix_content/652664344885549000_image.jpg)
Commonwealth Games 2022:
![Commonwealth Games 2022](https://next-ias-appsquadz.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/file_library/mix_content/2034083863350400_image.jpg)
Wrestling:
- Udey Chand is the first Indian wrestler to win a medal at the World Wrestling Championships. He bagged a bronze in the men’s freestyle 67 kg category at the 1961 world championships held in Yokohama, Japan.
- In total, India have won 23 medals at the World Wrestling Championships. These include 1 gold, 5 silver and 17 bronze.
- Twelve of these medals have come since 2018.
- Bajrang Punia has won the most medals for India at the world championships with four - one silver and three bronze.
- Alka Tomar broke the drought by becoming the first Indian woman to win a medal at the World Wrestling Championships.
- Vinesh Phogat became the first Indian woman to win two medals at the World Wrestling Championships after she won another bronze, in the 53kg, in Belgrade Serbia.
6.
What is Commercialisation of Sports?
![Commercialisation of Sports](https://next-ias-appsquadz.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/file_library/mix_content/561079521354644000_image.jpg)
- Commercialization of sports is defined as that aspect of the sports that involves the purchase, sale, display or use of sport in such a way that it generates revenue and profit, for making the sports better internationally, with world-class infrastructure.
7.
What is the Golden Triangle of Commercialisation of Sports?
![Golden Triangle of Commercialisation of Sports](https://next-ias-appsquadz.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/file_library/mix_content/717083803318705900_image.jpg)
Golden Triangle | Description |
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1. Sports |
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2. Media |
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3. Sponsor |
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In this way, sport – particularly elite sport, the media and sponsorship are interlinked. This is called the Golden Triangle.
8.
What are the advantages of Commercialisation of Sports?
Advantages | Analysis |
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Player Distraction | ![]() |
Improved Infrastructure: |
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Increase in funds For sports | ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Increased Exposure |
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Increased Opportunities for Athletes |
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Economic Growth: |
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Increased Employment |
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9.
What are the disadvantages of Commercialisation of Sports?
Disadvantages | Analysis |
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Player Distraction |
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Economic inequality: |
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Loss of traditional values: |
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Fan Costs |
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Commercial pressure: |
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10.
What should be the way ahead?
- As commercialisation increases, issues related to ethics have gained prominence, including corruption, doping, match-fixing, and unfair competition.
- Transparency, accountability, and adherence to ethical standards are critical in commercialized sports to maintain fairness and integrity.
11.
What is the relevance of the topic for UPSC CSE?
- For Prelims: Wrestling Federation of India’s (WFI) , Fundamental Rights, CVC, IOA,Doping.
- For Mains: Sports Governance and Issues.
Some Previous Years Prelims Questions
Q1. Consider the following statements in respect of the Laureus World Sports Award which was instituted in the year 2000: (2021)
1. American golfer Tiger Woods was the first winner of this award.
2. The award has been received mostly by ‘Formula One’ players so far.
3. Roger Federer received this award a maximum number of times compared to others.
Which of the above statements are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Q2. Consider the following statements in respect of the 32nd Summer Olympics: (2021)
1. The official motto for this Olympics is ‘A New World’.
2. Sport Climbing, Surfing, Skateboarding, Karate and Baseball are included in this Olympics.
Which of the above statements are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Some Previous Years Mains Questions
Q1. An athlete participates in the Olympics for personal triumph and nation’s glory; victors are showered with cash incentives by various agencies, on their return. Discuss the merit of state sponsored talent hunt and its cultivation as against the rationale of a reward mechanism as encouragement. (2014)
Some Questions From This Year And Previous Years Interview Transcripts
Board Sheel Vardhan sir: (2024)
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What is fosbury jump and what are different types of high jump?
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What's your highest jump during school days?
Board Lt Gen Raj Shukla sir: (2024)
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So you are a football fan?
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Why, despite being so popular in pockets of India, football lags behind cricket?
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Football is so popular, Messi is considered god, why is the craze for football limited to bars and pubs when people want to drink and cheer?
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But cricket was in a similar situation in the 70s and 80s and an elite sport?
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Why did it succeed but football did not?
Board Dinesh Dasa sir: (2024)
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You are interested in playing shuttle badminton. What is your style of play?
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Asked for terminology related to badminton.
Board BB swain sir: (2024)
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Who is the greatest hockey player India ever produced?
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Who was the captain of the Indian team when India won bronze in the last olympics?
Board Suman Sharma mam:
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India's performance in Asian games . Comment upon it
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What was the medal tally count and India’s rank in medal tally
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India to host the 2036 Olympics . What are the advantages apart from Sports getting a boost.
Some Questions for QUIZ
Q1. Consider the following statements regarding World Anti-Doping Agency
1. It is an international independent agency composed and funded equally by the sport movement and governments of the world.
2. Its headquarters is located in New York.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 Only
(b) 2 Only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) None
Some Questions for POLL
Q1. Have ever been in sports activities?
(a) YES
(b) NO
(c) Can’t say
Q2.Did commercialisation improve the standards of sports in the country?
(a) YES
(b) NO
(c) Can’t say