Sports in Policy Front: On Paper Vs In Practice

Sports are an integral part of our lives. Whether it’s for recreation or survival, humans have been climbing, wrestling, and swimming since prehistoric times. These activities have now evolved into sports – individual or team. 

Illustration by The Geostrata

In today’s world, sports are not only seen as recreational but also as a career avenue. However, given the unfavourable conditions and the fate of sports as a career in India, efforts in this direction are long overdue; otherwise, we are not eligible to question the Olympic medal tally.

From hosting the first Asian Games in 1951, just a few years after independence, to proposing to host the 2036 Olympics, the nation has come a long way – showcasing its soft power and regional aspirations. But the question is –  has the way sports have been perceived in India changed?

Yes. The transition from a nation that revered traditional sports to one that thrives in international sporting events is nothing short of remarkable. However, there is still a long way to go before India emerges as a truly sporting nation. While people are interested in India improving its medal tally and rankings, on the one hand, they want their children to view it only as a means of recreation, on the other hand only 5-6% of the Indian population is directly or indirectly involved in sports, as against the staggering 20% and 24% in the USA and China, respectively. 

A large part of the population still believes in ‘Kheloge kudoge toh banoge kharab, padhoge likhoge toh banoge nawab’. Integrating sports with education has been a topic of discussion since the 1980s, with the introduction of the first National Sports Policy (1984) and its integration with the National Education Policy (1986). The same has been reiterated in the further sports initiatives and policies by the government.

The National Education Policy 2020 also offers a window of opportunity to integrate sports as an non-alienable part of the curriculum in schools and colleges.

At the core of India's sports initiatives lie governmental bodies and organisations dedicated to nurturing talent and promoting sports. In 1954, the government set up the All India Council of Sports (AICS) to advise on sports matters, support federations, and fund elite athletes. A dedicated Department of Sports was created only in 1982 under the Ministry of Human Resource Development.

The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (established in 2000) has played a pivotal role in shaping the country's sports landscape. Working in conjunction with it, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) offers training, infrastructure, and other facilities to nurture athletes. The National Sports Federations (NSFs) oversee the development of specific sports, ensuring their efficient organisation and support.

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) serves as the apex body, coordinating the nation's participation in the Olympic Games and other international events. Their combined efforts have led to channeling dreams into reality for many athletes across the country. 

The Constitution mentions sports as a ‘state’ subject. Though the government at the centre had earmarked a modest budget, the involvement of society and markets remained low. However, post-1991 liberalisation reforms, a proposal to focus on broadbasing, with the government to focus on elite excellence, was put forward in the draft National Sports Policy in 1997.

The revised National Sports Policy – launched in 2001 – saw budgetary allocations for sports in the Union Budget, though small. The policy also laid out clear goals for mass participation and international excellence. 

Further on, the National Sports Development Code (NSDC) was introduced in 2011, aiming to regulate and professionalise NSFs – aiming to address governance, anti-doping, age fraud, gender issues, etc. Several other schemes have also been launched over the years, having better implementation.

Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), 2014, provided elite athletes with coaching, nutrition, and infrastructure support. The scheme’s impact was best seen at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, where 47 out of the 70 medals won by India were bagged by TOPS awardee athletes. 

While the TOPS scheme aimed at polishing existing talent for higher results, the Government of India has designed a future-looking scheme to develop a pool of talent from the remotest part of the country through the Khelo India Scheme, which conducts youth talent identification across schools and universities.

Scholarships and financial assistance for athletes have further alleviated the financial burdens on aspiring sportspeople, allowing them to concentrate on their training and competitions. Moreover, the Fit India Movement was launched in 2019 to promote physical activity and fitness as a public health priority. 

India takes immense pride in its sporting legends who have not only excelled on the field but have also inspired generations. Even in the early years after independence, when nothing notable transpired on the policy front in the domain of sports , India’s men's hockey team dominated the Olympics from 1920 to 1980. The period also saw emerging athletes such as Milkha Singh, Kamaljeet Sandhu (the first Indian woman to win an individual gold at the Asian Games), Gurbachan Singh, Praveen Kumar Sobti, etc.

In the first decade of the 2000s, as well, the Olympic medal tally remained modest, with medals from Rajyavardhan Rathore, Abhinav Bindra, Vijendra Singh, and Mary Kom. The 2020 Tokyo Olympics saw India win its best-ever medal tally, with 7 medals, including 1 gold. 

Sports also act as a binding force against India’s diversity, fostering a sense of pride and national unity. Regardless of differences in language, culture, or background, the collective support for Indian athletes showcases the unity that sports can bring. Whether it's celebrating a victory (as during the 2011 Cricket World Cup) or empathizing with a defeat (for instance, the 2023 Cricket World Cup Final), every moment in the sporting arena strengthens the bond that holds the nation together.

While India's progress in sports is commendable, it is not devoid of challenges. The absence of state-of-the-art infrastructure in many regions hampers talent development.

Gender disparities – meager payment, lack of female coaches, bias in awards, lack of family support – remain a pressing concern, necessitating greater inclusivity and opportunities for female athletes.

There also exists discrimination, when certain sports are termed as ‘masculine’ by society, for instance, cricket. Despite the notable achievements made by the women’s team at the international level, the stereotype prevails, particularly because of the lesser broadcast of women’s sports by the media than male sports and centuries-old gender discrimination that still enjoys a place in the hearts and minds of many! 

Furthermore, there are certain sports where Indians have a comparative advantage either because of their genetic build or the prolonged assimilation within certain sports. It might be useful to start a campaign, namely “One State One Sport”, wherein each state government will identify a major sport in which it has a competitive advantage, along with other sports which may be accorded a little lesser priority.

Enhancing coaching and training facilities is imperative to refine athletes' skills and enhance their competitive edge. Encouraging private sector involvement in sports promotion can infuse fresh energy and resources into the ecosystem. It has to be emphasized that sports is a scientific discipline and require a strategic roadmap to develop future talent and infuse a sporting culture in India.

It’s high time for all stakeholders to move beyond self-interest and enforce reforms for the larger good of Indian sport. Increasing sporting performance requires a holistic approach, encompassing training, infrastructure, and mental preparation – efforts in lines of anti-doping (India topped the latest global doping list released by WADA), physical literacy, scientific coaching, sports in education, etc, are also needed.

While there is much discussion about concerns related to quality and infrastructure, the bigger issues- such as those related to mental health- often go unaddressed.

However, the incorporation of these suggestions in policy and their implementation is easier said than done.

In 2024, the government released the Draft National Sports Policy 2024 and the Draft National Sports Governance Bill for public feedback. On July 1, 2025, the Cabinet approves National Sports Policy 2025, unveiling it as  “Khelo Bharat Niti 2025”, reinforcing India’s 2036 Olympic bid.

The policy is anchored on five key pillars- Excellence on the Global Stage, Sports for Economic Development, Sports for Social Development, Sports as a People’s Movement, and Integration with Education (NEP 2020). The policy also lays down a comprehensive implementation strategy encompassing governance, private sector funding and support, technology and innovation, National Monitoring Framework, model policy for states, and a whole-of-government approach.

The coming years will see whether the NSP 2025 is a beacon of hope inspiring generations and uniting the nation in a shared pursuit of excellence, towards building a sporting nation, only on paper or also in practice. 

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BY AKSHITA JAIN

CENTRE FOR POLITICS AND LAW

TEAM GEOSTRATA

info@thegeostrata.com