Answer:

An inclusive sporting culture ensures equal opportunities for all athletes, regardless of the sport they pursue. In India, the dominance of cricket overshadows other sports, leading to limited development across disciplines. According to the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, while cricket enjoys a massive following, sports like athletics, hockey, and badminton struggle with inadequate infrastructure and funding.

Factors Contributing to the Limited Development of Sports Other Than Cricket:

• Inadequate Funding and Infrastructure: Most sports other than cricket suffer from insufficient financial support and subpar infrastructure.
  For instance: Hockey, despite being India’s national sport and having a storied history, hockey players often contend with outdated training grounds, inadequate equipment, and limited financial backing, affecting their performance on the international stage.
• Media and Public Attention: The media’s overwhelming focus on cricket sidelines other sports, reducing their visibility and fan base.
  For instance: Despite India’s historic achievements in badminton, the sport rarely receives the continuous media attention that cricket does, limiting its appeal among the masses.
• Lack of Grassroots Development Programs: Unlike cricket, which has a robust grassroots development system, many other sports lack structured programs to nurture young talent.
  For instance: India’s athletics scene struggles with identifying and grooming talent at an early age due to the absence of dedicated programs.
• Limited Corporate Sponsorship: Corporate sponsorship predominantly flows into cricket, leaving other sports with minimal financial backing. This leads to fewer tournaments, inadequate training facilities, and low salaries for athletes.
  For instance: Kabaddi players, despite the sport’s popularity in rural areas, struggle with low income due to scarce sponsorship deals.
• Cultural and Social Biases: There is a cultural inclination towards cricket, often perceived as the only viable career in sports. This bias discourages youth from pursuing other sports professionally.
  For instance: Even in states like Punjab, where hockey has a rich history, cricket has gradually overshadowed it, affecting the sport’s development.

Measures to Foster a More Inclusive Sporting Culture:

• Enhanced Funding Across Disciplines: The government and private sector should increase funding for all sports, ensuring that facilities and training programs are on par with those available for cricket.
  For instance: Investing in state-of-the-art infrastructure for athletics and swimming can help identify and nurture potential Olympians.
• Media Diversification: Media houses should actively promote and cover a wider range of sports to build public interest.
  For instance: Initiatives like broadcasting national and regional leagues of sports like football and wrestling on prime-time television can boost their popularity and audience engagement.
• Strengthening Grassroots Programs: Expanding grassroots programs like Khelo India to cover more sports can help identify and develop talent at an early age.
  For instance: Setting up dedicated academies for sports like archery and gymnastics in various states can ensure a steady pipeline of trained athletes.
• Corporate Engagement: Encouraging corporate sponsorship for a variety of sports through tax incentives and public recognition can drive investment into underfunded disciplines.
  For instance: Successful models like the Pro Kabaddi League, which has gained significant corporate backing, can be replicated for other sports like hockey and athletics.
• Inclusive Policies and Incentives: Implementing policies that provide equal incentives and support for athletes across all sports can encourage more participation. For instance: Strengthening job reservations and scholarships to athletes from non-cricket sports would incentivize youth to pursue careers in diverse sporting disciplines.

India’s sporting culture must evolve to embrace and promote multiple disciplines beyond cricket. With strategic investments, media diversification, and inclusive policies, India can build a robust sporting ecosystem that nurtures talent across various sports. This approach not only enhances India’s global sports standing but also fosters a healthier and more inclusive sports environment and society where every sport gets its due recognition and support.

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