India's Olympic ranking fell from 48th in Tokyo (2020) to 71st in Paris.
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India won six medals in Paris with no gold medals (one silver, five bronze), down from seven in Tokyo (one gold, two silver, four bronze).
Despite the decline, Paris was still India’s third-best Olympic performance, better than Rio 2016’s two medals.
Also, this decline contrasts with improved performances in other events like the 2022 Commonwealth Games and 2021 Summer Deaflympics.
Thus, the recent Olympic slide highlights gaps in India’s sports ecosystem despite multiple initiatives taken to improve India’s sports ecosystem.
India’s Sporting Ecosystem
Sports is a state subject. Thus, the responsibility for promotion/development of sports in the country, including providing sports facilities, rests primarily with the respective State / UT Governments.
However, Central government, through its various schemes, supplements the efforts for state government
Sports generates revenue and raises country’s soft power while also having significant contribution to general health and well-being of the players.
Despite these benefits, only around 6% of India’s population participates in sports, which is much lower than around 20% in countries like the US, Australia and as high as 60% in Japan.
Challenges that persist in India’s sporting ecosystem
Talent identification issues: Despite being the world’s most populous country, India sent only 117 athletes to the Paris Olympics, compared to 594 from the U.S., 572 from France, and 460 from Australia.
This is due to a lack of early-stage talent identification and inadequate scouting mechanisms.
Resource constraint: India’s sports budget is low as compared to countries like US, Germany, and China. Fund underutilization is also an issue.
For instance, the Khelo India scheme spent only Rs 318 crore out of Rs 500 crore allocated in 2019-20 (Parliamentary Standing Committee on Human Resource Development).
Infrastructure Gaps: Sports infrastructure is limited, especially in educational institutions and underdeveloped states like Bihar and Jharkhand.
Most facilities that meet international standards are concentrated in a few states like Haryana, Punjab, and Karnataka.
Governance Issues: India's sports governance is dominated by politicians and bureaucrats and often suffers from corruption and unethical conduct.
For example, In January 2023, many Olympic medallists accused the then Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president and the coaches of the Federation of sexual harassment.
Mismanagement of athletes: For example, Vinesh Phogat's disqualification from Paris Olympic for being 100 grams overweight cost India a confirmed silver and a potential gold medal.
Similarly, Antim Phangal lost her bout due to exhaustion after starving for 48 hours to lose weight.
Other Challenges: Lack of awareness about sports opportunities and government supports, shortage of coaching staff, gender disparities, inadequate attract private sector support, etc.
Initiatives to promote sports ecosystem in India
Budgetary support: Budgetary allocation for the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has nearly doubled from 2014-15 to 2023-24.
Khelo India program: For identification and development of athletes at the grassroots and elite levels.
Khelo India Rising Talent Identification (KIRTI) programme: Aimed at school children between nine and 18 years to hunt talent from every nook and corner of the country.
Mainstreaming of Sports Activities: FIT India Movement and the incorporation of sports within the National Education Policy 2020.
National Sports Development Fund scheme: The Scheme funds a Developmental Group of Athletes who are medal prospects for the Olympic Games. Corporate and Public Sector Undertakings can contribute to this fund.
Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS): To provide comprehensive assistance (including funding, specialised equipment, international exposure, top-tier coaching, and a monthly allowance) to India’s top athletes.
One School-One Sport policy: Initiative by the Ministry of Defence for Sainik Schools so that they can focus on at least one sporting discipline identified for the respective State/UT
Use of Technology: Data analytics based on Artificial Intelligence are being used to predict the sporting acumen in an aspiring athlete.
Way ahead for strengthening India’s Sports Ecosystem
Driving mindset change: Parents should be made aware of advantages that students with state or national level accreditation in sports enjoy like reservations at higher educational institutes and preferences in government jobs.
Separately, corporates should inculcate sports as a constructive means for wellness among employees.
Increase the talent pool
Nourish younger talent pool: Implement more tournaments in schools and community-based sports programs, provide nutrition support and address social barriers and gender inequality in sports.
The ‘one panchayat, one playground’ initiative by the Kerala Government is a parameter that can be advocated across States to promote sporting culture at the grassroots.
One State-One Sport policy: Region-specific traditional sports needs to be promoted to ensure mass participation and cultivate an interest among people.
Localised sports mega events such as ‘Rural Olympics’, on the lines of what the Rajasthan government has done, should be promoted countrywide.
Improving governance structure of sports federation: Facilitate independent form of recruitment for top positions and bringing transparency both in the functioning of federations as well as policymaking.
Corporate funding for the sports sector: As Indian firms mostly prefer to deploy their CSR money through NGOs, there is a need to incentivise the formation of NGOs specialised in sports across the country.
Supporting multiple disciplines: Indian corporates, and entrepreneurs are actively participating in Indian Premier League (IPL), which ensures that these games receive consistent publicity.
IPL for games like Badminton, Football, Tennis, and Volleyball by sponsoring leagues that facilitates owning teams and building sports facilities should be encouraged.
Ensuring Accountability: Implement performance metrics for nutritionists and support staff of athletes and fix the accountability for last-moment mismanagement.
About Olympic Games
Genesis: Olympic games began in 1896 in Athens (Greece), with 14 nations competing in nine sports. The Games are held every four years since then.
Motto: "Faster-Higher-Stronger" reflecting the aim of the Olympic movement from an athletic, technical, moral and educational perspective.
Olympic Flag: Introduced in 1920, the flag features five interlocking rings symbolising the ‘five parts of the world’ in which the Olympic movement prevails.
Olympic Flame: It symbolizes the positive values of fire and with the Olympic Torch Relay, the flame travels the country in which the Games are being held, starting a few months before the Games begins.
Paris 2024: Included 4 additional sports viz., breaking (making its Olympic debut), sport climbing, skateboarding, and surfing.
Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS): It was created in 1983 to deal with the legal problems that an athlete could face.
It is recognised by the Paris Convention signed by the presidents of the IOC among others
India and Olympics
India first participated in the Olympics in 1900 in Paris, represented by an Anglo-Indian Norman Pritchard.
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) was formed in 1927, with Sir Dorabji Tata as President, and it was recognized by the IOC the same year.
The IOA coordinates with National Sports Federations to send teams to the Olympics and other international games.