How India can become a sporting superpower
How Organized Sports Infrastructure, Availability of Coaches, Sports Arenas, and Competitions Can Improve Sports Quality in India
Sports have always played an integral part in India’s cultural and social fabric. From cricket to field hockey, badminton to wrestling, and kabaddi to athletics, India has produced champions and talented athletes across a variety of disciplines. However, the country has often been criticized for its underwhelming performance on the global sporting stage, especially in comparison to other nations. While India excels in certain sports like cricket, the overall quality of sports in the country remains inconsistent. One of the key factors that affect the development and success of sports in India is the lack of an organized and well-structured sports ecosystem.
An organized sports infrastructure, access to qualified coaches, modern sports arenas, and a robust competition structure at all levels could greatly enhance India’s sports quality. This article explores how the combination of these elements could revolutionize sports in India, drawing from examples in different disciplines to show the potential for improvement.
1. Organized Sports Infrastructure: The Foundation for Growth
Infrastructure is the backbone of any sporting culture. Without proper facilities for training, development, and competition, athletes are unable to realize their full potential. In India, sports infrastructure has long been underdeveloped, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas. This lack of access to world-class facilities has hindered the growth of athletes, limiting their opportunities for training and competition.
Example – Cricket: In cricket, India has a large and thriving grassroots network, but the quality of facilities can vary drastically across regions. In states like Maharashtra, Delhi, and Punjab, there are numerous well-maintained cricket grounds and training centers, but in rural areas, players often lack access to proper pitches and equipment. An organized sports infrastructure, with state-of-the-art training centers, would allow young cricketers from remote areas to develop their skills, ensuring that raw talent is nurtured at every level.
Example – Football: In football, a sport with enormous untapped potential in India, a lack of infrastructure is one of the main challenges. While the Indian Super League (ISL) has gained popularity, there is still a significant gap in terms of grassroots facilities. Countries like Brazil and Germany are prime examples of how investment in local training facilities and stadiums can produce world-class talent. In India, establishing football academies and modernizing football pitches at the grassroots level could drastically improve the standard of play across the country.
To improve sports quality, India needs to establish an extensive network of sports complexes that cater to multiple sports and are accessible to athletes of all skill levels, from grassroots to elite athletes. The development of these complexes should include not just the building of modern arenas but also supporting elements like physiotherapy centers, fitness gyms, and recovery facilities.
2. Availability of Coaches: The Pillars of Athlete Development
Coaching is one of the most critical aspects of an athlete’s development. Good coaches provide not only technical expertise but also emotional support, strategy, and insight into how to improve performance. Unfortunately, India faces a severe shortage of trained, qualified coaches, especially in non-cricketing sports.
Example – Badminton: Badminton has seen significant success in India in recent years, thanks to the rise of athletes like P.V. Sindhu, Saina Nehwal, and Kidambi Srikanth. However, much of their success can be attributed to elite coaching that has been made available to them in specialized academies. For instance, Sindhu’s rise to global prominence came through her rigorous training under Pullela Gopichand at the Gopichand Badminton Academy. The creation of more world-class academies and the recruitment of qualified coaches can help develop future champions in badminton, as well as in other sports.
Example – Wrestling: India’s wrestling program has flourished in recent years, particularly with athletes like Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat winning medals at the Olympics and World Championships. The country’s wrestling success can be attributed to specialized coaching at grassroots and elite levels. The establishment of more wrestling academies and increasing access to experienced coaches has been vital to this success. More investment in training for coaches, especially in smaller towns and villages, would go a long way in ensuring India remains competitive in wrestling and other sports.
One way to improve the quality of coaching is to improve the training of coaches themselves. By sending Indian coaches abroad for exposure and facilitating partnerships with renowned international coaching institutions, India can bridge the knowledge gap and raise the overall quality of its coaching infrastructure.
3. Sports Arenas: A Place to Compete, Inspire, and Improve
Having access to proper sports arenas not only motivates athletes but also ensures that they can train under conditions that replicate the environment of high-level competitions. Whether it’s a stadium for athletics or a wrestling mat, arenas are critical for both training and competition.
Example – Athletics: In athletics, India has seen glimpses of success with athletes like Neeraj Chopra, who won gold in the men’s javelin throw at the Tokyo Olympics. However, one of the key reasons behind his success is the availability of well-maintained facilities for training and competition, such as the National Institute of Sports (NIS) in Patiala. However, most athletes in India still lack access to such world-class facilities. The construction of more multi-purpose athletic tracks, swimming pools, and other sport-specific arenas would improve training conditions and help raise the standards of competition at the national level.
Example – Hockey: India’s national hockey team has a rich history and has won multiple Olympic medals. However, recent years have seen a decline in their performance, partially due to a lack of modern playing fields and training facilities. The installation of more synthetic turf fields across India, along with investment in coaches and support staff, could help India reclaim its former dominance in the sport.
For sports to thrive in India, it is essential to develop state-of-the-art arenas, especially outside metropolitan cities. These arenas should be accessible for both elite athletes and the general public. This would not only improve performance at the top level but also encourage participation at the grassroots level.
4. Competitions at All Levels: Building a Competitive Spirit
Organized competitions at all levels—from local tournaments to national championships—play a crucial role in improving sports quality. Regular competition allows athletes to gauge their progress, build resilience, and prepare for higher levels of performance. However, the competitive ecosystem in India often remains fragmented and underdeveloped.
Example – Tennis: In tennis, players like Sania Mirza have made India proud on the international stage. However, many aspiring tennis players struggle with limited opportunities for competition. In countries like the United States, there are numerous national and international tournaments at different age levels, which helps players gain valuable experience. India needs to create a similar environment where athletes have access to a steady stream of competitions throughout the year, enabling them to hone their skills and improve their rankings.
Example – Boxing: India’s boxing talent pool has grown over the years, with athletes like Mary Kom and Vijender Singh bringing India recognition on the world stage. One of the main factors behind their success has been the structured competition system in boxing. The country has regular national championships and has integrated various international competitions into its calendar. Extending this model to other sports, such as athletics, swimming, and wrestling, would provide athletes with consistent opportunities to compete and improve their performance.
Competitions at the grassroots level are particularly important in identifying hidden talent. The development of district-level, state-level, and regional competitions, particularly in rural areas, could unearth untapped sporting talent that would otherwise go unnoticed.
Conclusion: A Unified Effort for Sporting Excellence
India’s sporting potential is immense, but it requires a multifaceted approach to unlock its full capabilities. Organized sports infrastructure, qualified coaches, modern sports arenas, and an accessible competitive ecosystem are the four pillars that will support the country’s rise as a global sporting powerhouse. By focusing on building a system that nurtures talent from the grassroots to elite levels, India can significantly improve its sports quality and performance on the international stage.
If India invests in these areas, it can produce not only champions in cricket and hockey but also in lesser-known sports like archery, judo, rowing, and gymnastics. By following the example of nations with strong sports cultures, India can create a future where sports are accessible to all, and every athlete has the opportunity to compete and succeed on the world stage.