Sports is a global language to build a relation across countries across creeds, castes, and races. It showcases the expression, tenacity, and endurance of the human spirit.
India is one of the most populated countries globally, with such a wide demographic population that leads to a diverse pool of talent that can excel in various sports. The development of sports infrastructure acts as the backbone of sports. These infrastructures help stabilise a healthy and economic environment for the players.
However, in the past few decades, India has seen extensive growth in sports infrastructure development, which has further impacted the status of sportspersons in the long run.
Moving ahead, learn more about how sports infrastructure in India is transformed to provide a better ecosystem for sports persons.
Reforms that Transform the Sports Infrastructure & Ecosystem in India
Sports play a substantial role in the adaptation of communities, societies, and nations, i.e. it acts as a catalyst for a country at the global level. Sporting infrastructure is important in building a better economy for the country, as it is associated with sports, training facilities, and sports retail.
The development of sports infrastructure in India is treated as an integral part of the country's development and is designed keeping a large community in mind. An overview of the strategies and policies associated with sports infrastructure in India are as follows:
National Sports Policy: helps raise the bar of sports by facilitating the development of adequate sports infrastructure across the nation.
Khelo India Scheme : merges the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Abhiyan plus Urban Sports Infrastructure Scheme and the National Sports Talent Search Scheme. The scheme focuses on building a national-level podium for athletes to showcase their skills and recognise them for further grooming and economic support.
With continuous progress and advancement, the Khelo India app is now available. Using the app, a user can search a complete nationwide database for the different sporting facilities nationwide.
The Sports Authority of India(SAI) offers schemes like:
- National Sports Development Fund to help sportspersons get trained by international coaches for more technical, scientific, and psychological support.
- Training Centre Scheme to provide in-house coaching and training assistance to sportspersons.
- Opening specified areas in SAI arenas for community sports.
- Fund for developing infrastructure and other activities to encourage sports at different levels.
Schemes like the Panchayati Yuva Krida Aur Khel Abhiyan Scheme help provide funds for the development and maintenance of sports infrastructure in villages and block panchayats.
- Sports opportunity for the divyang athletes to harness their extraordinary abilities.
- Shakti se Sashaktikaran scheme to encourage sports for women.
National Playing Fields Association of India is set up to spread fitness awareness and promote sports in the country. In continuation, Fit India Movement was also launched to improve India’s global fitness index, both mentally and physically.
In collaboration with the Public Private Partnership Model (PPP), the government helps include the private sector to actively participate in developing the sports infrastructure in India.
Impact of Quality Sports Infrastructure in India
Some of the impacts the development of sports infrastructure in India has led to are:
- Increase in the number of sports facilities centres that fulfil international standards.
- Development of special area games and centres of excellence.
- Opening of various SAI training centres, regional centres, and educational institutes.
- With the advent of technology, the development of large integrated exchangeable multi-sports facilities, E-sports, and online sports auditoriums with digital infrastructure are some of the future goals.
Over the last few decades, there has been exponential development in India's sports infrastructure and facilities, which is considered the next great possibility. The governments have proposed several projects in sports infrastructure.
In addition, the investment of private and global investors along with the state and central level governments is an active step towards building a better sports ecosystem.
By Usha Saha
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