Over the last few years, India has worn the crown in different sports, but there is so much more that we can do to achieve excellence in multiple sports events by 2029 and beyond. First and foremost, our population, across the length and the breadth of the country, should have access to high-quality sports infrastructure and resources, which, I believe, is a work in progress. There is no denying that sports infrastructure has to be strengthened across schools and colleges. For enriching sports culture, grassroots development is necessary. That there is a steady rise in gifted athletes from small towns and villages proves that we are on the right track.
I am happy that we are seeing more women entering different sports. In the 1990s, sports was a man’s domain but that is no longer the case today. Women are liberated today, and they can successfully build a career in sport, which is great. I have always believed that sports can provide young girls with leadership skills.
By 2029, we will have more Indian women play the sport of their choice and excel in it big time. When I started playing cricket, I had to fight at every step―for resources, facilities, sponsorship or even getting opportunities to play overseas. But today’s players don’t have any such problems.
The Khelo India Mission, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s dream project, is working wonders. Having said that, we still have a long way to go. It is also important to inculcate a sense of fitness among all. In schools and colleges, sports should be made compulsory. Science proves that sports has contributed to excellent academic performance and it even enhances leadership skills. Playing sports can tackle depression and shun negativity. It also promotes a spirit of sportsmanship, even outside the field.
To attract young people to sports, the authorities should set up stadiums in every village, where different sports can be played on a rotational arrangement.
Just like classroom activities, sports has to be a continuous process. I have seen many urban young couples venture out on weekends to watch films, or stay in a resort. There is nothing wrong with that, but they should also consider getting together friends and relatives, and together play team sports the whole day. We should also have mixed-gender tournaments. In fact, boys and girls should play together right from school days, like how it happens in tennis. It should reach a stage where people will look at it as a natural phenomenon. In some sports the best in girls comes out when they compete with boys.
It is wrong to say that other sports will not grow in the country as long as cricket rules the roost. There is space for every sport to grow. Cricket became India’s passion only after the 1983 World Cup triumph. So, as we do well in world championships across different sports, those sports are bound to get even more popular.
By 2030, with determination and everything else in place, I feel we can be among the top 20 sports nations in the world, and by 2047, we should be among the top five in the world.
We are more than 140 crore, and it shouldn’t be tough to find a champion in every sport.
Jai Hind.
* Sports infrastructure to be strengthened across schools and colleges
* We should have mixed-gender tournaments in all sports
* There is space for every sport to grow
* Be among the top 20 sports nations in the world by 2030
* Play team sports with friends and relatives the whole day on weekends