India’s Sports Culture and Challenges

Syllabus: GS2/Governance 

Context

• The Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports said that India is set to become one among the top ten performing countries in the world in the field of sports. 

India’s Sports Landscape

• Traditional games like wrestling, kabaddi, archery, and various forms of martial arts were not just physical activities but also cultural rituals.
• During the colonial era, the British introduced modern sports like cricket, football, hockey, and tennis to India.
  • As a result, infrastructure for these sports began to develop.
• Post-independence, India witnessed unsteady growth in sports infrastructure.
  • However, the pace of development remained relatively slow, and the infrastructure was limited primarily to a few metropolitan areas.
• During the late 20th and the early 21st century India started recognizing the importance of sports infrastructure in nurturing talent.
  • India hosted major international events such as the Asian Games in 1982 and the Cricket World Cup in 1987, which necessitated the construction of world-class sporting infrastructure.
• Over time, with the advent of technology, the approach towards sports infrastructure underwent a remarkable transformation. 

India’s Performance in International Events

• The Paris Olympics ended with India securing six medals — one silver and five bronze — to place 71st in the medals tally.
  • It was ranked below nations with much smaller populations including Georgia, Kazakhstan and North Korea.
  • The United States, with less than a quarter of India’s population, topped the charts with 126 medals followed by China with 91.
• India has now won just 41 Olympic medals in total since its debut in 1900, all at the Summer Games.
• The country’s performance led to many questions about the need for a sporting culture. 

Reasons for the Lack of success by Indian Athletes

• Lack of Infrastructure and Training Facilities: While improvements have been made, many areas still lack quality sports infrastructure and training facilities, access to modern training equipment and coaching is essential for developing elite athletes.
• Insufficient Funding: Many athletes struggle to secure adequate funding, which limits their training opportunities and participation in international competitions.
• Focus on Popular Sports: The overwhelming focus on cricket often overshadows other sports, leading to a lack of resources and attention for disciplines like athletics, swimming, and others.
• Lack of Grassroots Development: There’s a need for a stronger grassroots sports culture that identifies and nurtures talent from a young age. 
• Competition Level: Indian athletes often face stiff competition from countries with a more established sports culture and better funding, making it challenging to achieve podium finishes.

Initiatives Taken by Government

• Khelo India: To promote sports at the grassroots level. It includes talent identification, coaching, sports infrastructure development, and organizing competitions at school and university levels.
• National Sports Policy: To enhance the quality of sports training, promote participation, and increase the number of athletes competing internationally.
• Sports Authority of India (SAI): A key institution responsible for nurturing young talent and providing training facilities.
• National Sports Awards: The awards are given annually to recognize and reward excellence in sports.
• Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay National Welfare Fund For Sportspersons (PDUNWFS): It was set up in 1982 with a view to assisting outstanding Sportspersons of yesteryear. 
• National Sports Development Fund: The Fund helps sportspersons excel by providing them opportunities to train under coaches of international repute.
  • It also provides financial assistance for development of infrastructure and other activities for promotion of sports.
• Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS): To identify and support athletes with potential to win medals at the Olympic Games.
  • It provides financial assistance for training, coaching, and participation in international competitions.
• Mission Olympic Cell (MOC): A body within the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to monitor and provide support for athletes’ training and preparation for the Olympics under the TOPS.
• National Sports Federations (NSFs): The government recognizes and funds NSFs, which are responsible for promoting and developing their respective sports.

Measures that can be taken 

• Funding: Increase investment in sports facilities, especially in rural and underserved areas.
• Identification of Talent: Implement sports programs in schools to identify and nurture talent from a young age.
• Encouragement to other sports: Promote a wider variety of sports beyond cricket, such as athletics, swimming, and indigenous sports.
• Leagues and Competitions: Establish professional leagues and competitions in lesser-known sports to boost participation and viewership.
• Corporate Sponsorships: Encourage partnerships between private companies and sports organizations to provide financial backing.
• Role Models: Highlight successful athletes to inspire youngsters to pursue sports.

Conclusion

• It is good to be critical about our performance because it fuels the hunger in athletes and also pushes administrators to do better. 
• In recent years, the paradigm shift in India’s approach towards sports infrastructure has been remarkable. 
• The concerted efforts by the government, private entities, and various sports bodies reflect a commitment to bolstering the country’s sporting ecosystem. 
• This evolution signifies India’s aspiration to emerge as a global powerhouse in sports and marks a pivotal moment in the nation’s sporting history.

Source: PIB