In every child, there is talent, sometimes obvious, often latent, which, if nurtured, can help her scale great heights. Yet, this talent often goes unnoticed, especially when it comes to sports. Imagine if every child in India who loved to run, jump, or kick a ball, throw a shot put or play chess was seen as a possible future champion and not as a kid with misplaced priorities. India’s performance in global competitive sports highlights a significant gap between potential and reality. Despite being the world’s most populous country with over 1.4 billion people, our medal tally at major events like the Olympics remains low. While the competitiveness of our sportspeople is increasing, this hasn’t yet corresponded to outcomes.
While athletes like P V Sindhu, Neeraj Chopra, Mirabai Chanu, 2024 Paralympic gold medallist Praveen Kumar and others have captured global attention, the broader system supporting sports remains fractured, plagued by societal perceptions, limited infrastructure, and a lack of integration between sports and academics. The other aspect to ponder, perhaps even more important than winning medals, is the under-recognised impact of participation in sports on our mental and physical wellbeing, and consequently, the benefits flowing from a fit community. A foundational exposure to varied sports is imperative to building a national sports culture.
In India, academics have long been considered the sole ladder to success. For families navigating the challenges of economic insecurity, sports have been viewed as a risky gamble, a luxury they cannot afford. For many young athletes, pursuing their passion means compromising on education, leaving them without viable alternatives if their sporting dreams don’t materialise. Emil Zátopek, the renowned Czech long-distance runner, once said, “An athlete cannot run with money in his pockets. He must run with hope in his heart and dreams in his head.” In other words, budding athletes require a comprehensive support system that instils faith in their abilities.
Some educational institutions do have robust sports programmes. The country also has a few specialised sports schools. Unfortunately, most such institutions remain unaffordable for a large chunk of the country’s population. This is why a more comprehensive narrative is needed — one of winning, where the entire system actively supports a child’s dream of becoming a champion. Imagine a network of residential schools dedicated to seamlessly integrating sports and academics. Unlike traditional schools that prioritise academics, these institutions would place sports at their core. Students would follow a dual pathway, excelling in their chosen sport while acquiring a strong academic foundation. These schools would operate on a carefully designed framework. Beginning from Class 6, students would be introduced to a multi-sport foundation programme that emphasises building agility, strength, and coordination.
Specialisation would come later, guided by scientific assessments, around Class 9. This staggered approach ensures that early burnout is avoided, and that decisions are rooted in data rather than assumptions. The curriculum, aligned with NEP 2020, would merge traditional academic subjects with sports science. For instance, physics lessons could include studying the mechanics of a javelin throw. Each school would feature world-class facilities with all sports-oriented basic facilities, but also some more layered infrastructure and coaching capacity tailored to the region’s sporting strengths. For instance, campuses in Haryana could focus on wrestling, while those in the Northeast might prioritise football. Olympic-standard tracks, biomechanics labs, and nutrition centres would provide students with the resources needed to compete internationally. Admissions would involve aptitude and physical tests, supplemented by national talent scouting camps. These camps would identify promising athletes from underprivileged and rural areas.
The schools would emphasise mental health, career planning, and life skills. Students would receive mentorship from accomplished athletes and guidance from alumni who have navigated the world of professional sports. For those who don’t make it to the professional level, their academic grounding would open doors to careers in sports sciences, coaching, or other sports-aligned fields — even completely unrelated fields.
Executing this vision could be challenging. Convincing parents to embrace such a model, especially in communities where sports are still seen as a gamble, would require sustained outreach and trust-building. Funding these institutions would demand public-private partnerships. Coordinating efforts across ministries, sports federations, and local governments would require meticulous planning. It would be a perfect example of a whole-of-system approach with everyone contributing to the cause.
Yet, the rewards far outweigh the risks. Several states, including Uttar Pradesh and Telangana, are working on creating sports universities. A residential sports school could create a feeder system for such universities.
This model wouldn’t just produce medals — it would fundamentally change how a nation views sports as a pathway and for society. It would build an ecosystem where talent is no longer a casualty of circumstance, where failure isn’t the end but a stepping stone to new opportunities. Sports are often said to have the power to unite, inspire, and transform. For India, they could do even more by redefining success. All it takes is the will to invest in a future where every child with a dream deserves a chance to run their race — whether they win gold or not, the journey and outcome from sports is itself a victory. That’s a race worth running.
The writer is Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, and Minister of State for Education
