Answer

Introduction

In India, sport is still treated as recreation rather than a developmental investment. However, the National Sports Policy 2025 recognises sport as a catalyst for health, employment, social cohesion, and economic growth. Elevating sports to a priority sector is essential to realise Viksit Bharat’s transformative potential.

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Need to Elevate Sports to Priority Sector Status

• Improves national health and reduces disease burden: Sport and physical activity build a healthy, skilled and resilient population.
  Eg: NCDs cause 60% of deaths in India; promoting daily sports in schools and workplaces could save ₹15 lakh crore by 2047 via prevention.
• Drives economic growth and creates large-scale employment: Sports develop entire industries comprising infrastructure, sports tech, manufacturing, analytics, media.
  Eg: The Sports currently contributes 0.1% to GDP and 0.5% of jobs, but can grow to 2% of GDP and 4% of jobs by 2047, matching global economies.
• Utilises demographic dividend by skilling and engaging youth: India has 65% population under 35, and sports can channel youth into productive work and resilience-building.
• Strengthens social cohesion, gender equity, and confidence: Sports instills confidence, identity and belonging across gender and social groups.
• Enhances India’s global image through mega-events and soft power: Hosting events increases infrastructure, visibility and mass participation.
  Eg: Ahmedabad has been recommended to host the Commonwealth Games 2030, signaling global recognition of India’s rising sports capability.
  

Policy Reforms Needed To Institutionalize This Shift

• Institutionalize SAPA (Sports and Physical Activity) in education: Make sports compulsory, not extracurricular.
  Eg: NSP-2025 integrates sports into education, healthcare, urban planning and economic policy.
• Create a Sports & SAPA National Index: Ranking states on participation, infrastructure and governance can promote competitive federalism driving efficiency.
  Eg: A SAPA index similar to health and education rankings, pushing states like Odisha to lead through innovation.
• Adopt a PPP model to build sports infrastructure: Enable private academies, CSR, startups and performance centers to expand access, deepen talent pipelines, and build a sustainable sports ecosystem
  Eg: The private sector should view sports as a strategic investment and expand talent pools.
• Priority sector status for Sports: To attract investment, credit, and tax incentives, boosting manufacturing, innovation, and entrepreneurship in sports infrastructure and equipment.
  Eg: Sports can support Make in India through sports tech, equipment, apparel, and innovation.
• Shift from “scheme-based approach” to an “ecosystem model”: Through Centre–State coordination, the Centre co-finances and builds capacity, rewarding high-performing states with incentives.
  Eg: Odisha’s proactive sports policy.

Conclusion

For India to shift from episodic sporting success to systemic excellence, sports must be treated as a national investment. Implementing National Sports Policy 2025 with state–centre coordination, private sector partnerships, grassroots SAPA integration and legacy planning that inculcates sport in the population over the long term can unlock jobs, improve health, and position India as a global sports powerhouse.

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