Preface: India’s Shift in Sports
Previously, India was only recognized for cricket; however, with the growing popularity of the Olympics, Asian Games, and Commonwealth Games, India is slowly making a name for itself in other sports as well.
Kabaddi and Kho Kho may still hold cultural relevance, but both badminton and football are rising in popularity. The Indian Premier League (IPL), Pro Kabaddi League (PKL), and Indian Super League (ISL) serve as new sources of income for athletes while also providing them with recognition on a global scale.
With the implementation of Khelo India and the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), India is likely in the process of achieving Olympic success.
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Traditional Indian Sports: Preserving Cultural Heritage
Kabaddi: India’s Homegrown Sport
Kabaddi is an Indian sport that has gained popularity over time. While it is often looked down upon as a rural game, it has the potential to do well internationally with the recognition from Pro Kabaddi League (PKL).
History of Kabaddi in India:
- Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) has transformed the sport into a commercial success.
- India has delivered consistent feats of winning the Kabaddi World Cup, followed by a streak that continues today in the Asian Games.
- Women’s Kabaddi motivates a new and fresh breed of players, since it has been rapidly increasing in fame.
Hockey: The National Pride of India
This was once our most beloved sport before it was overtaken by cricket. Join me in remembering how we single handedly dominated Olympic hockey in the 20th century.
The Achievements of Indian Hockey:
We have 8 gold medals from the Olympics, the first one coming in 1928 and the men’s team bringing back glory with the bronze medal in Tokyo Olympics 2020.
With the women’s team rising as a force to be reckoned with, we have other unprecedented achievements as well.
Emerging Sports in India: Beyond Cricket
Badminton: India’s Rise on the Global Stage
With major milestones for India, comes emerging stars in badminton and P.V. Sindhu bagging silver in the Olympics 2016 and bronze in 2020.
Let us not forget Saina Nehwal who earned India’s first Olympic medal in badminton in 2012. I am sure her embarrassment from winning the Thomas Cup in 2022 will wear off soon, allowing her to appreciate being part of history.
Football: The Growth of the Indian Super League (ISL)
With the launch of the Indian Super League (ISL), football is witnessing a renaissance in India. While cricket continues to be the most popular sport, the soaring viewership of football indicates a change in the country’s athletic domain.
Milestones Indicating Development in Indian Football:
- The ISL has drawn international players and investors to Indian franchises.
- India hosted the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2017, which brought international eyeballs to Indian football.
- India’s women football team has already started to make a name for themselves at international events.
India at the Olympics: A Growing Powerhouse
Breaking Barriers and Winning Medals
In India, athletics including wrestling, shooting, track events, and weightlifting has seen steady growth of participation over the years to the Olympics and Indian athletes are winning medals.
Milestone Olympic Victories:
- Abhinav Bindra (2008) – India’s first gold medal individually in the Olympics.
- Neeraj Chopra (2021) – Gold medal in the Javelin throw which brought glory to India in the Olympics.
- India’s strength began to showcase with more medals in the Tokyo 2020 with Lovlina Borgohain, Mirabai Chanu, and Ravi Dahiya.
- The “Sankalp India” vision of TOPS: The Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS)
TOPS is a vision of India aimed at providing proper funding, advanced sports infrastructure, and efficient training to ensure that the Indian athletes compete on a global scale.
The Role of Sports Leagues in India’s Sporting Revolution
The Indian Premier League (IPL): Revolutionizing Cricket
The Indian Premier League (IPL) has taken cricket, a sport that has always been quintessential to India, and made it a worldwide event.
What Makes IPL a Game-Changer:
- Creates opportunities for young Indian cricketers to showcase their talent alongside international legends.
- Increases revenue and development in the sporting sector of India.
- Has inspired other sports leagues, proving the growth of sports in the country beyond just cricket.
Pro Kabaddi League (PKL): The Opening Up of International Kabaddi
Kabaddi’s global recognition began with the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL), which has millions of viewers each season and has allowed for the commercialization of the sport.
The Indian Super League (ISL): Football’s Future in India
The Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) has gained substantial viewership and has also commercialized the sport, which has helped boost Indian Super League (ISL), with football fans rapidly increasing in India.
Government Initiatives for Sports Development
Khelo India: Nurturing Young Talent
The Khelo India program aims at overall schooling and sports development in the entire nation.
Benefits of Khelo India:
- Motivates children and young people to engage in sports and athletics.
- Provides better sports facilities in urban and rural localities.
- Supports new emerging sports in India, so that they can grow in the future.
Infrastructure Required for the Athlete’s Infrastructure
To Indian athletes, the country’s investment in world-class sports infrastructure makes the opportunity to train and compete at the topmost level considerably easier.
- State of the Art Facilities For Training and Competing in Hockey, Football, and Athletics.
- Wrestling, badminton, and shooting high-performance centers.
Women in Indian Sports: Breaking Barriers
Indian Women Athletes Shining on the Global Stage
Indian women have truly made a name for themselves globally after winning medals in the Olympics, Commonwealth Games, and Asian Games.
Notable Female Athletes from India:
- Olympic multi-medalist P. V. Sindhu (Badminton).
- Tokyo 2020 Olympics silver medalist Mirabai Chanu (weightlifting).
- Mary Kom (Boxing) a six-time world champion.
- Women’s hockey team captain, Rani Rampal, amidst glory.
India has a long way to go when it comes to globalization of sports. Indian fans will forever cheer for their cricket icons, while other sports like Kabaddi, badminton, wrestling, and hockey flourish within Indian sporting culture.
Conclusion: The Journey Toward Sporting Glory Continues
India’s sport ecosystem is blending traditional Kabaddi with modern day football and badminton. With Olympic gold medals, modern sports infrastructure, and providing world class recognition, India is changing its narrative in the international sports arena.
As is the case with a continent of over a billion citizens, this is an opportunity of untold proportion, an era full of sports zeal. For now, Indian sports fans can be hopeful of sustained success and attention.