Paris Olympic exposes India's sports crisis

Paris Olympic exposes India's sports crisis

Vinesh Phogat's harrowing experience at the Paris Olympics isn't just a personal tragedy—it's a devastating indictment of the Indian sports system. It makes us look like a nation that celebrates its athletes with hollow applause, and abandons them when it matters the most. However, this article is not merely about one athlete's struggle; it's about the systemic failures that plague Indian sports, failures that have been ignored for far too long.

Phogat, one of India’s brightest wrestling talents, was abandoned by the system that should have been her greatest support. While she fought on the mat, off the mat, she was up against a system riddled with neglect and incompetence. But even more disturbing is the shameless manner in which officials indulge in self-congratulation instead of addressing these failures. A Union Minister, while commenting on Vinesh's ordeal, went to the extent of recounting the exact expenditure made on her, as if this financial accounting could cover up the deep-seated neglect and the subsequent betrayal she faced.

This callousness is symptomatic of a broader problem. As we look into the Union Budget 2024-25, the numbers reveal a grim reality. The government’s allocation of Rs 3,442.32 crore to the Sports Ministry, a meagre increase of Rs 45.36 crore from the previous year, is at best a joke. The sum represents a mere 0.07% of the total Union Budget—a pittance compared to the aspirations of a nation that claims to be on the rise. If India is serious about becoming a global sports powerhouse, it must confront the uncomfortable truth: its commitment to sports is woefully inadequate.

The systemic inequities run deeper than just budgetary allocations. In a society still grappling with caste divisions, the exclusionary practices seep into every aspect of life, including sports. How can a society riddled with caste prejudices ever excel in sports? If you won’t touch or play with someone because of their caste, how can you hope to compete together, let alone win?

Moreover, gender discrimination continues to cast a long shadow over Indian sports culture. Female athletes not only have to overcome the usual hurdles of training and competition but also face systemic sexual harassment and safety concerns. Vinesh Phogat’s protest against such harassment—an act of immense courage—came at a great personal cost. Instead of addressing these issues, the system penalised her, pushing her further into the margins.

The government's token gestures, like the Rs 20 crore increase for Khelo India, do little to address the vast chasm of unmet needs. This program, designed to democratise sports participation, is essential for levelling the playing field, especially for athletes from underprivileged and rural areas. But the current funding is a drop in the ocean, barely scratching the surface of what's needed to build infrastructure, provide coaching, and create opportunities where none exist.

The Sports Authority of India (SAI), responsible for managing and developing sports across the nation, received Rs 822.60 crore—a paltry increase that still leaves it far short of the Rs 1,000 crore benchmark necessary to function effectively. Meanwhile, National Sports Federations (NSFs) were allocated a mere Rs 340 crore. In a country of about one and a half billion people, this amount is negligible.

There is also the disturbing trend of budget cuts in crucial areas. Incentives to sportspersons were slashed by Rs 45 crore, bringing the total down to Rs 39 crore. This cut will hit athletes from marginalised communities the hardest—those who depend on these incentives to sustain their training and competition. The National Sports Development Fund, another crucial resource, saw its allocation reduced to just Rs 18 crore. 

Particularly alarming is the reduction in funds for sports facilities in Jammu and Kashmir, from Rs 20 crore to Rs 8 crore. This region, which has long struggled with social and political unrest, could greatly benefit from investment in youth engagement through sports. Yet, the government’s actions speak louder than its rhetoric. The near-elimination of the Commonwealth Games allocation, from Rs 15 crore to a mere Rs 0.01 crore, is a stark indicator of where priorities lie—or rather, where they don’t.

This is not just about the budget; it’s about the systemic inequities that these numbers reflect. Athletes from wealthier backgrounds will continue to thrive, accessing private training, and international competitions. Meanwhile, those from weaker and marginalised sections will remain trapped in a cycle of poverty and neglect, their potential squandered by a system that fails to support them. The consequences of this neglect are dire. Social unrest among the youth is not just a possibility—it’s a looming threat. In a country where the young population is vast and increasingly disillusioned, sports could be a powerful tool for social cohesion and upward mobility. Instead, it is becoming yet another arena where inequality and injustice reign supreme.

Vinesh Phogat’s experience is not an isolated incident; it’s a symptom of a much larger problem. It emphasises the neglect. The 2024-25 budget, despite its modest increases, does nothing to address the root causes of Indian sports' chronic underperformance. Without significant investment and a more equitable distribution of resources, the dreams of many young athletes, especially those from marginalised communities, will remain just that—dreams. And when those dreams are crushed, the fallout will be felt far beyond the sports arena. It will resonate through the very fabric of our society, leaving behind a legacy of broken promises and unfulfilled potential. 

Here is a table that places  India’s sports expenditure in perspective with the top performers of the Paris Olympics: 

The table presented above is a combination of publicly available data and author calculations. Medal counts for the 2024 Paris Olympics have been sourced from the official 2024 Summer Olympics medal table on Wikipedia. The percentages of national budgets allocated to sports are estimated based on reports from various governmental and financial sources, such as those cited in Euronews and India Today. 

Please note that these percentages are approximations and may not represent the complete budgetary expenditures on sports, as different countries allocate funds through various channels and at different levels of government. 

The figures are provided to offer a comparative perspective and should be interpreted with an understanding of the inherent limitations of cross-national financial comparisons. All calculations and interpretations are the author’s own, based on the data available as of August 2024.

To begin with, India has a vast young population in the 5-35 age band, which is a critical demographic for nurturing athletic talent. With such a large base, even a slight increase in per capita expenditure could substantially improve sports infrastructure, training facilities, and talent identification programs. The success of countries like China and the United States at the Olympics is not merely a matter of chance. It is the result of deliberate and sustained investments in sports. India must significantly enhance its budget allocation to sports to compete on the global stage.

Beyond winning medals, and getting laurels on the global platform increased investment in sports can have broader socio-economic benefits where kids from the weak and the marginalised sections of the society aspire to rise to the occasion of sports and feel more integrated with the society. Sports contribute to national pride, encourage a culture of health and fitness, create job opportunities, and can be a significant driver of tourism and international recognition.

India has historically underperformed at international sports events, not because of a lack of talent, but due to inadequate resources and support. The current allocation does not do justice to the potential of Indian athletes. Increasing the budget would provide them with the necessary infrastructure, coaching, and exposure to excel. The government should aim to gradually increase sports spending, aligning it more closely with countries that are leading in Olympic achievements. Even a modest increase in India’s sports budget could yield exponential returns in terms of medals and international accolades.

The Indian sports system, in its current state, is a betrayal of the countless athletes who strive against all odds to make their nation proud. It’s time for a reckoning. Without substantial changes, both in terms of funding and in dismantling the systemic inequities that plague our society, India’s aspirations for global sports glory will remain nothing more than empty rhetoric.

Dr Shirin Akhter is an associate professor at Zakir Husain Delhi College, University of Delhi.