Fostering a Robust Ecosystem through Quality Sports Infrastructure

Known as a powerhouse for various reasons, India has many tricks and treats to outshine its global counterparts. However, the one factor that limits the nation’s ability to be a pioneer country in the sports sector is the stagnancy in world-class sports infrastructure.

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While certain sports like cricket, field hockey, and wrestling have become popular over the decades, efforts to develop and improve sports facilities have still been in vain. But the silver lining among the many challenges that India faces in revamping the current status of its sports infrastructure are the opportunities that could transform it into a thriving sports ecosystem.

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Sports Infrastructure in today’s growing population

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One primary example of a cricket stadium with international standards is the Melbourne-style Motera Stadium in Ahmedabad, which currently holds the title of the largest cricket stadium in the world, with an impressive footfall of 1,32,000. Right behind cricket, football stadiums have also been established across various cities like Bengaluru and Kolkata. 

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With hockey as its national game, it is underwhelming to note the fact that while the infrastructure for cricket and football is well ingrained in major urban areas, the training centres for other sports, like hockey, swimming, or badminton, are scarce and scattered.

Therefore, the root cause of the country’s inability to exhibit high-quality, accessible sports facilities despite the ability to produce top-tier athletes over a wide range of sports lies in the uneven distribution and quality of such facilities across the country.

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Stadiums in India are prominently focused for sports like football and cricket with Maharashtra having around 21 stadiums while states like Tripura and Uttarakhand have only 1 stadium each.

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Challenges and Opportunities for Sports Infrastructure

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‍Challenges

• Underfunding and the failure to invest in the required sports facilities by the government or private sectors.
• Uneven distribution of sports training centres across the country, which makes it hard for athletes from rural areas to access the necessities for quality training.
• Lack of maintenance of the existing sports centres and the development of specialized training centres for non-popular sports.

However, establishing international level infrastructure is never a long-gone possibility.

‍Opportunities

• Collaboration between the government and the private sectors. This is evident from the success of the Indian Premiere League (IPL) in cricket driven by private investors.
• Targeted investment in sports facilities at the regional level and the creation of multi-sports complexes where talents from diverse sports can be nurtured.
• International events like the aspiring Olympics 2036, Field Hockey World Cup 2018, FIFA U-17 World Cup 2017, South Asian Games 2016, and World Chess Championship 2013, amongst others, investments in stadiums, transport systems, and other facilities can leave behind a legacy in terms of upgraded infrastructure and global visibility for Indian sports.

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Sports infrastructure in India has come a long way despite the many challenges that hinder its improvement. By addressing these challenges, India can transform and lay the foundation for a prosperous ecosystem, becoming a part of urban planning and development that can promote world-class athletes across a diverse range of sports.‍‍‍