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As seen at the ongoing Asian Games 2022, India has been soaring in multiple sports like shooting, athletics, and archery. The secret to success has been the improvement in training facilities, the availability of elite coaches, and the grassroots programs being run across the country to nurture more talent at the top level.
Grassroots refers to the foundation of sports participation, involving individuals at the community or local level. They engage in sports activities for recreation, physical fitness, and professional competition.
To support and promote grassroots sports, various stakeholders, including schools, local sports clubs, governments, and sports federations, play a crucial role. They provide access to facilities, coaching, equipment, and funding to ensure that the best should be given to the athlete.
Importance of grassroots programs
Participation is key to sporting success. However, the foremost question arises as to how to begin that journey. One of the solutions is the grassroots projects that inspire the maximum number of athletes to achieve glory.
India is a country with millions of talents who have excellent skill sets. Grassroots sports systems are in place to have a common platform which can be used for refining the talent of the sports persons.
Success stories from grassroots programs
One of the biggest success stories from the programs came in the year 2018 when Khelo India was launched. It was founded to provide a platform for young athletes to showcase their skills, and it became a perfect medium where sports authorities can scout and provide the required support to talented athletes who can represent the nation in the future.
The program became a huge success as Haryana topped the Khelo India School Games with 102 medals, including 38 gold medals, followed by Maharashtra and Delhi, who bagged 36 and 25 gold medals, respectively. It was renamed in 2019 to Khelo India Youth Games, and to date, thousands of athletes have gained success from the event.
Inspiring Stories of Indian athletes
There have been many notable names who have risen to fame after dedicating their entire childhood to sports. Even after knowing that India has been a sports-centric nation for years now, they have given their best and made their country proud.
The list includes Manu Bhaker, Srihari Nataraj, Anshu Malik, and Lakshya Sen, who are all products of Khelo India. Below are their stories of overcoming challenges on their path to professional sports.
Profiles of athletes who rose from the grassroots
Bhaker is a bright athlete who has excelled in various sports apart from shooting. Very few are aware that she was a boxing lover, and incidentally, it was a boxing injury on her eye that made her quit the sport and take up shooting.
Apart from boxing, Bhaker won medals at the national games in sports like tennis, skating, and Huiyen Langlon before permanently switching to shooting, where she became the youngest Indian athlete to win a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games.
Bhaker got her first-ever major accolade at the Asian Junior Championships in 2017, where she bagged a silver. She also won nine medals at the National Games and broke the record set by Heena Sidhu with a score of 242.3.
Meanwhile, Sen had ‘shuttler genes’ in his blood. He started playing badminton at a very early age and won the U-13, the U-17 and the U-19 National tournaments. He achieved the U-19 National Medal when he was just 15, so it was clear how good he was at that time.
2016 was a brilliant year for Sen as he first won the bronze medal at the Asian Junior World Championships. He then won a medal at the All-India Senior Championships in Itanagar.
After that, the youngster was unstoppable and won many prestigious tournaments, including a bronze at the 2021 World Championships and a gold medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
The Role of Sports Academies
Academies play an important role in preparing a sportsperson for a secure and better future, providing top-class coaches, excellent facilities, and branded equipment to the players. Moreover, it also helps students learn cooperation, social skills, unity and team spirit helping them develop a strong sense of team bond. Overall, academies impact the physical and mental health of students.
The significance of academies in sports development
Academies play a significant role in sports development. Here are some of the points that would elaborate:
Talent identification and development: Sports academies are often responsible for identifying and nurturing young talents. They scout for individuals with potential, provide them with specialized training, and offer a structured pathway to progress in their chosen sport. Early identification and development can lead to the discovery of future sports stars.
Coaching roles: Academies usually employ experienced coaches who have in-depth knowledge of specific sports. These coaches can focus on refining athletes’ skills, techniques, and tactical understanding, helping them reach their full potential. The coaching given in academies can be challenging to find in non-academic settings.
How academies are shaping the future of sports
One such example of how academies are shaping the future of athletes and sports is the renowned Gopichand Academy in Hyderabad, where the top Indian badminton players practice regularly to keep themselves ready for the major tournament. It has been run by Pullela Gopichand, who was himself a top-notch baddie during his time.
Big badminton stars such as Saina Nehwal and PV Sindhu have been a part of this academy, and the world has witnessed what they did for the country over the years. Even in cricket, the Sonnet Cricket Club played a huge role in shaping the future of prominent cricketers like Ashish Nehra, Rishabh Pant, and Shikhar Dhawan, among many other famous names.
Future of Indian sports
Undoubtedly, the future of Indian sports is bright, with several academies and grassroots programs working on every level to make one’s dream come true. One can easily say now that India has been one of the top countries in the world that has been exceptional in various sports, not only in cricket. All this has happened because of the excellent scouting plan, multiple academies and various sports programs.
The road ahead for Indian sports
The road ahead for Indian sports has been full of challenges and opportunities. Undoubtedly, India has achieved significant strides in various sports in recent years, and it’s time to take it up to another level.
Here are some of the factors that will shape the future of Indian sports:
Athlete welfare. A support system is quite necessary for the physical and mental well-being of the athletes. It will be crucial for their long-term success and also help them achieve big at the international level.
Gender equality. Promoting gender equality in sports is essential. Encouraging more female participation in sports and providing equal opportunities and resources to female athletes will lead to a more inclusive sports culture.
Grassroots support. Engaging local communities and grassroots organizations can help identify talent at the grassroots level and provide access to resources and opportunities for young athletes.
