Is Indian Sports Heading in Reverse?

Jaipur: The recent Khelo India University Games in Jaipur have raised serious concerns about the state of Indian sports. A strikingly low number of participants and the fear of doping scandals are leaving the future of Indian athletics uncertain.

At the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, the women’s 400m race saw Manisha from Kurukshetra University running alone, as four of the five registered athletes withdrew at the last moment. Similarly, in the men’s 400m hurdles, Ruchit Mor from Gujarat Sports University ran solo. In wrestling, some events had only two or three participants, highlighting a worrying trend.

A Warning Bell
The Khelo India University Games receive massive government funding every year, running into crores of rupees. While the intent to provide large-scale opportunities to athletes is commendable, the lack of participation points to deeper systemic issues. This should be taken as a wake-up call for sports authorities.

Fear of Doping
Indian athletes are increasingly intimidated by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA). The fear of being caught for doping—even unintentionally—makes many withdraw from competitions or concede matches to rivals, effectively avoiding risks that could ruin their careers.

Fragmented Federations
Boxing provides a glaring example. At the World Championships in Dubai, 11 out of 13 Indian boxers were eliminated in the first round, largely because top athletes were withheld by different federations. The Boxing Federation of India retained the best boxers, while the team sent was under the Indian Amateur Boxing Federation, severely affecting performance.

Legal and Financial Challenges
Over the past decade, 770 sports-related cases have been filed in courts, including 462 in High Courts and 22 in the Supreme Court. This litigation drains resources, leaving federations struggling to pay even technical officials for competitions. Clearly, sports federations need to diversify their funding sources and ensure smoother governance.

With these systemic issues—doping fears, fragmented federations, legal disputes, and financial constraints—Indian sports risks running in reverse, undermining India’s aspirations for the 2036 Olympics. Immediate reforms are crucial to revive athlete confidence and restore the nation’s sporting pride.