Introduction
India has a long and successful history in sports as a part of entertainment, culture, tradition, and occupation. Said to have started since the Bronze Age, which dates to eight thousand years ago, sports in India hold an emotional place in every citizen’s soul. Its importance and mentions can also be found in the great epics of Mahabharata and Ramayana, which showed the necessity of sportsmanship in life.
From being mediocre to acing world championship titles, Indian sports has seen its growth in a very magnificent way. Cricket has always been the most popular and the nation’s favourite sport, but the love for the country’s football team also saw its rise recently. Badminton, Tennis, rifle shooting, wrestling, swimming, archery, and boxing has also helped the country to make its mark on an international level. Indian cinema has also, many times highlighted and brought light upon achievements of athletes that were not known to common people. With the Men’s and Women’s hockey teams at No. 14 and No. 12 respectively and the Men’s and Women’s Cricket teams at No. 5 and No.4 respectively, around the world provide certainty about its bright future.
Measures taken to boost the community
• The Government has made noticeable efforts to boost the growth of sports in India by organizing and funding various national sports events such as the Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG), Khelo India Winter Games (KIWG), etc. in various cities across the nation which let youngsters and sports enthusiasts from different strata of society easily participate and show their talents. As we all are fully aware of the fact that sports as a profession got its recognition in the recent past. Now, having even more ways to access the field have garnered and brought people the courage to take it up as a profession and not just a hobby or an extracurricular activity in schools and colleges or get a government job from the sports quota. Because of this reason India now has more players to compete at national and international championships, taking its chances of winning to a higher rate.
• From investing in sports needs for emerging talents to strengthening its infrastructure, the government and the private clubs have been joined and supported by successful and known sportspersons.
• Today, every kind of sport is watched with great interest also because of the broadcasting and social media making it easier for people to access them. From tribal to the mainstream, India has been successful to make its mark globally.
Conclusion
From winning the first Olympic medal in 1948 to showcasing a brilliant performance in the Common Wealth Games 2022, India surely is living up to the claim of having an outstanding future in the field of sports. It seems like the people of the country have finally left the ideology of “kheloge, kudoge, hoge kharab; padhoge, likhoge, banoge nawab.” The potential use of the talent that the country has, along with the lack of politics and personal preferences, can take it to greater heights with just an honest and encouraging attitude toward the sports community
