New Delhi. Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President PT Usha has stressed the need to strengthen athlete-centric governance in Indian sports, saying the future of the country’s sports ecosystem should be determined by policies that keep athletes at the center of the decision-making process.
IOA President PT Usha, while addressing the program organized at India Habitat Center on the third day of the Golden Jubilee National Conference of Sports Journalists Federation of India (SJFI) on Sunday, said that the preparation, welfare and development of players should be the top priority of sports administrators and sports bodies.
The conference is being hosted by Delhi Sports Journalists Association (DSJA). PT Usha said, “Athlete-first governance must guide the future of Indian sports. The preparation of athletes, their welfare and development must be our top priority.”
Talking about the changing scenario of Indian sports, he said that the country is currently passing through an important phase of its sports journey. Indian players are now competing with more confidence on the global stage due to better infrastructure, scientific training and institutional support.
“In the last decade, we have seen a big change in the way sports are supported and respected in the country. Today players are getting better infrastructure, scientific training and strong institutional support,” he said.
PT Usha also stressed the importance of developing sports at the grassroots level. He said that the real strength of Indian sports lies in the hidden talents in villages, towns and schools, which need to be identified and nurtured.
He said, “The real strength of Indian sports lies at the grassroots level—in the villages, towns and schools where new talent is waiting to emerge. If we continue to invest in coaching, infrastructure and talent identification, India can continue to produce world-class players.”
PT Usha also described the role of sports journalism as important and said that sports journalists are not just the ones reporting the results, rather they bring forward the stories of the struggles, emotions and achievements of the players. Responsible and in-depth sports journalism creates a strong foundation for sports in the country.
Speaking at a panel discussion organized during the conference, IOA CEO Raghuram Iyer said India currently stands at a turning point in its sporting development, where rising ambition, investment and participation is propelling the country towards becoming a premier sporting nation.
He said, “I believe that India is at a turning point in sports right now. We have ambitions and concerted efforts are being made to achieve these goals.”
Iyer said that to maintain India’s progress in sports, it is important to create a strong grassroots sports infrastructure, which will start by increasing participation of more people at the community level.
He said, “We have to create a sports ecosystem in which more people participate in sports at the community level. When this foundation is ready, then the most talented players should be given the necessary resources and support to reach the top level.”
He also said that India is also moving towards hosting big international sporting events in the future. Hosting events like the Commonwealth Games as well as other global competitions will help in strengthening the country’s sports infrastructure and enhancing India’s global sporting identity.
“As a nation, we are also working towards hosting major international events. The Commonwealth Games and other global competitions are part of the vision through which India is laying the foundation for hosting the Olympic Games in the future,” he said.
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