INDIA'S SPORTS POLICY JOURNEY

• India’s approach to sports policy since gaining independence in 1947 should be understood in light of the country’s overall socio-economic priorities. In the aftermath of colonial rule, the primary focus was on national reconstruction, especially tackling issues like poverty, public health, and education.
• As a result, sports did not receive significant attention in the early policy framework. Despite this, India made a symbolic statement by hosting the first Asian Games in New Delhi in 1951, showcasing its regional leadership and cultural influence.
• The establishment of the All-India Council of Sports (AICS) in 1954 marked a formal step toward supporting sports bodies and elite athletes through policy advice and limited funding.
• However, financial constraints meant many athletes could not participate in global events. For almost 30 years, there was little major development in sports policymaking. Nonetheless, India’s men’s hockey team remained a dominant force in the Olympics from 1920 to 1980.
• Indian track and field also produced notable figures such as Milkha Singh (sprints), Gurbachan Singh Randhawa (decathlon), Praveen Kumar Sobti (throws), and Kamaljeet Sandhu, who became the first Indian woman to secure an individual gold at the Asian Games

• In 2000, India established the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) as a dedicated body to oversee sports development. A revamped National Sports Policy followed in 2001, offering more defined objectives for expanding public participation and enhancing international competitiveness.
• During this time, sports began receiving a specific, though limited, allocation in the Union Budget. India’s achievements at the Olympics remained modest, highlighted by Rajyavardhan Rathore’s silver medal in 2004, Abhinav Bindra’s historic gold in 2008, and bronze medals from boxers Vijender Singh (2008) and Mary Kom (2012).
• In 2011, the government introduced the National Sports Development Code (NSDC) to bring greater accountability and professionalism to National Sports Federations (NSFs).
• The code addressed critical areas such as governance, anti-doping measures, age verification, gambling, and gender-related concerns. However, as with earlier efforts, enforcement posed a significant challenge.
• Despite these hurdles, several notable initiatives emerged. The Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), launched in 2014, provided top-tier athletes with essential support in training, nutrition, and facilities.
• The Khelo India programme, initiated in 2017, focused on identifying young talent through school and university-level competitions. In 2019, the Fit India Movement was launched to promote regular physical activity and encourage a culture of fitness across the population

India’s aspiration to host the 2036 Olympic Games has given a new push to its sports development agenda. In 2024, the government made public both the Draft National Sports Policy and the Draft National Sports Governance Bill, inviting suggestions and responses from citizens. It remains uncertain whether these drafts will be formally enacted into law. Encouragingly, the National Sports Policy 2025 was officially launched yesterday under the name “Khelo Bharat Niti – 2025”, reinforcing India’s Olympic ambitions.