Indian sports tend to get noticed via cricket, while other sports fight for attention and funds. That brings a crucial question to mind: why is India still not well represented in the Olympics and other global sports? The reason lies in the strength, or lack of it, of our grassroots sports infrastructure.
Collective Communities and Leadership Development
Grassroots sports go beyond the pitch. They foster the community spirit, help instill leadership qualities, and enhance discipline among young sports persons. They also provide the foundation for physical fitness and education, both of which are essential for a healthy future generation.
The Need for Infrastructure and Coaching
India's attention has remained lopsided for far too long. While cricket prospers under the commanding BCCI, other sport continues to struggle with inadequate funding and dependency on the Ministry of Sports. Lacking formal training, good coaches, and up-to-date facilities, raw talent falters to translate into international success.
Lessons from Popular Models
The IPL success has shown how the franchise model is changing a sport. Others like the ISL model in football, Pro Kabaddi, and badminton leagues are working to create opportunities. These tend to be centred around urban locations and do not pay much attention to grassroots level participation, which is very important for creating a larger talent pool.
Financial Divide: Cricket vs Non-Cricket
There is a major financial gap. Cricket draws massive funds, sponsorships, and media coverage. Non-cricket sports, even after government initiatives, still suffer from funding deficits. The unevenness in this regard is the key reason why India lags behind world sporting nations at the Olympics.
Initiatives Taken: Small Steps, Big Hopes
The government has started Khelo India to enhance grassroots sports, create infrastructure, and offer scholarships to young sports persons. Other notable initiatives are also defining the landscape:
Government initiatives:
- Khelo India: focuses on grassroots participation, yearly scholarships, and conducts the Khelo India Youth Games.
- TOPS (Target Olympic Podium Scheme): offers monetary assistance and coaching to medal prospects.
- Fit India Movement: promotes fitness and sporting culture in schools and society.
- SAI training centers: provide coaching and infrastructure throughout rural and urban India.
State-led initiatives:
- Mizoram's grassroots football program, funded by FIFA and the Mizoram Premier League, has turned the state into an Indian football talent production line.
- Odisha's hockey collaboration has turned the state into an Indian hockey development hub.
- Kerala's athletics and volleyball schemes regularly provide national teams.
Private/NGO-led initiatives:
- Tata Trust academies in Jharkhand develop tribal skills through organized coaching, education, and residential facilities.
- JSW Sports and Reliance Foundation invest in athletics, football, and grassroots training academies.
- Gopichand Badminton Academy produced Olympic medalists Saina Nehwal and PV Sindhu, showing how intense grassroots development can produce champions.
These programs offer hope, but they must be developed to touch every corner of the country.
Why Grassroots Matter Most
Without a robust grassroot system, India stands to lose out on talent. Olympic success does not come overnight—it takes years of investing in young talent. If India wishes to compete with sporting powerhouses such as China, Germany, South Korea, or Australia, then it has to focus on the grassroots level and not elite academies alone.
A Call for Revolution
Grassroots sports are not an add-on—they are the pillars of India's sporting future. They ensure no talent goes unnoticed, ready athletes for Olympic victory, and help create a healthier, more cohesive nation. From Mizoram football culture to Tata Trust efforts in Jharkhand, the message remains the same: invest in grassroots, and champions will follow. India needs to start a mass movement that spreads across the country beyond cricket to provide equal opportunities for all sports. That's only when the dream of sports greatness will finally be every Indian's own.