I recently overheard a conversation between my 21-year-old son and his friends about the future of sports in India. The consensus was familiar but concerning: “The government does not do enough; only cricket is prioritized; and for real change, we need better infrastructure and assurances—like in China—that sports can offer a promising career path. Will we ever see that change?”
But is the government truly the only answer to our poor medal tallies and limited sports success?
The reality is deeper and closer to home. In most Indian schools, sports is treated as just one period a week—often sacrificed if academic subjects lag behind. A nearby large school boasts a 50-meter Olympic-size swimming pool—dry and unused for years. Worse, as children reach 9th grade, even those showing sporting promise are pulled out of sports to focus solely on studies.
Why? Because parents and schools believe that sports offers no secure future, while academics guarantee a “better” career.
This mindset needs urgent and fundamental change. The world around us is evolving, and so is the sports ecosystem. Today, careers connected with sports are numerous, viable, and rewarding—not just as athletes but in coaching, sports management, physiotherapy, analytics, media, and many other roles. At Jeevan Pravaas, our career library highlights over 500 such sports-related professions—opportunities where passion can become a lifelong career, even off the field.
To transform our sports culture, we must educate parents and schools about these diverse career paths—encouraging young talent to pursue sports alongside a parallel professional track. This dual approach ensures students don’t have to choose between their passion and a secure future.
Of course, government and sports organizations must also step up with better infrastructure and support. But change begins with us—the community, schools, and families—and a fresh mindset that values sports not just as a pastime but as a serious career and lifestyle.
Sports build discipline, health, and resilience—all critical for our youth in an age full of distractions like social media.
It’s time we stop blaming the government for every disappointing Olympic performance and take collective responsibility. Together, we can build a future where Indian sports stars shine, supported by a robust system that nurtures talent both on and off the field.
Let’s champion this change—because our youth deserve it.