Better days ahead for Indian sports: Experts

Yogesh Mudras (2nd from left), Sangram Singh (3rd from left), Deepak Khanolkar, Satyajit Sadanandan, Suma Shirur (2nd from right) and Kushal Das (extreme right) at MCA Lounge yesterday. Pic/ Bipin Kokate

While business honchos at the International Sports Exhibition (ISE) launch spoke figures on Friday, with the sports and fitness industry galloping ahead and expected to reach USD 3,065 million by 2027 at a growth rate of 8.5 per cent during 2022-27, the athletes and officials spoke candidly sans sugar-coating the sporting scenario. Experts claimed there has been much to smile about, but more needs to be done, and India will be in a much better space when it comes to international sporting podiums in 10 years.

The ISE will be held in June next year in Delhi. Sangram Singh, professional wrestler said, "Earlier, at least 50 per cent of aspiring athletes wanted to compete to get out of poverty and get a job, another 20 per cent needed funds for a sibling's wedding perhaps. Today, this has changed. Sports is seen as a long-term, solid career. Having said that, we still need substantial support at the grassroots level. The athlete at the top, or the champion will get sponsors, but what about the one who is second? We need support while the athlete is training, competing, striving… not just when one is right at the top."

Suma Shirur, shooter, world record holder in the 10m air rifle event said, "Shooting needs to be shown in a much more exciting way to attract young talent. When Abhinav [Bindra] and I made it to the Olympics in 2004, our journey seemed so different it was the pre-Internet age. Today's generation is completely into technology. You have to attract them to the sport by showcasing shooting through hi-tech visuals like graphics etc. Currently, the way shooting is showcased is very boring."

All-India Football Federation (AIFF) general secretary Kushal Das said, "India needs a much more robust league structure to climb the rungs in international football. We are strengthening the league, playing more matches and getting there gradually."