Yes, Olympics/Khelo India boost | No, cricket eclipses all else | Success only in select sports

“A nation that plays together, stays together.” – Nelson Mandela

India’s sports culture today stands at a fascinating crossroads — between traditional neglect and modern resurgence. The last decade has seen a remarkable shift from being a one-sport nation to a multi-sport powerhouse in the making. The success of Olympic athletes, the Khelo India Mission, and a growing ecosystem of leagues are driving an unprecedented rise in sporting awareness and participation across the country.

Those supporting the view that sports culture is improving cite India’s record-breaking performances and institutional reforms. At the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, India achieved its best-ever tally of 7 medals, including Neeraj Chopra’s historic gold in javelin — the country’s first in athletics. This momentum continued at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and 2023 Asian Games, where India crossed the 100-medal mark for the first time in history. The Khelo India Youth Games, launched in 2018, have become a nationwide grassroots movement, identifying over 3,000 young talents for structured training. Government funding for sports under the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) has risen by more than 60% since 2019, ensuring professional coaching, nutrition, and international exposure. The emergence of leagues like the Indian Super League (football), Pro Kabaddi League, Premier Badminton League, and Ultimate Kho-Kho has expanded viewership, investment, and career options in sports beyond cricket. Corporate sponsorships and CSR initiatives, such as JSW Sports and the Olympic Gold Quest, are nurturing world-class athletes. Social media visibility and fitness awareness post-COVID have also transformed sports into a lifestyle choice, not just a pastime.

Critics, however, argue that India’s sports culture remains uneven and overly dependent on cricket. While cricket commands global excellence, other sports often struggle for funds, infrastructure, and media attention. Nearly 80% of district-level stadiums lack basic facilities like physiotherapy and modern equipment. Female participation, though improving, still faces social barriers and safety issues. Moreover, many athletes fade away after early success due to inadequate post-retirement planning or injury support. Grassroots sports education in schools remains underdeveloped — only one in ten schools has a full-time physical education instructor. The success stories of Neeraj Chopra or Mirabai Chanu, though inspiring, remain exceptions rather than norms in a system still burdened by bureaucracy and uneven talent scouting. Thus, while the top-tier performance looks promising, India’s sports base remains fragile and cricket-centric.

A balanced perspective recognizes that India’s sports culture is evolving, not yet matured. There is genuine institutional momentum — from the Fit India Movement to the integration of sports science and technology in training centers like Sai NIS Patiala and Inspire Institute of Sport. States such as Odisha, Haryana, and Gujarat are leading by investing heavily in sports infrastructure, producing champions in hockey, wrestling, and athletics. The upcoming 2036 Olympics bid and National Sports University in Manipur reflect India’s ambition to embed sports in its developmental vision. Yet to achieve lasting change, India needs sports education reform, private-academia partnerships, and a decentralized model of talent development, similar to China’s and the USA’s collegiate systems.

From a national strength and defence standpoint, sports cultivate discipline, fitness, and teamwork — qualities crucial for a robust youth and armed forces. The Indian Army’s contributions in nurturing athletes like Subedar Neeraj Chopra and shooter Avani Lekhara showcase how sports and national service can complement each other in building resilience and pride.

In conclusion, India’s sports culture is indeed improving, but its transformation must go beyond medals — towards a lifestyle where every village, school, and workplace values sports as a core part of national character. The future of Indian sports lies not only in podium finishes but in creating a “play-first mindset” across society — where every child dreams, trains, and competes with equal opportunity.

“India’s truest sporting victory will come not when we win more medals, but when every child feels empowered to play.”