The evolution of India’s sports ecosystem and Indian Sports Policy, has been closely tied to various governmental policies and committee recommendations. Over the decades, several initiatives under the Five-Year Plans and Parliamentary Committee Reports have attempted to integrate sports with education, develop rural talent, and create a nationwide sports culture. Despite ambitious goals, implementation has faced multiple challenges. This blog reviews the key committee recommendations that have influenced India’s National Sports Policy and highlights the pressing need for a comprehensive, inclusive framework.
Integration of Sports in Five-Year Plans
The vision for embedding physical education and sports within formal education began as early as the First Five-Year Plan. Landmark developments followed:
- The Lakshmibai National Institute of Physical Education (LNIPE) and National Institute of Sports (NIS) were established in the Second Five-Year Plan.
- The Third Plan launched the National Coaching Scheme and Rural Sports Programme, and the Fourth and Fifth Plans expanded them.
- Talent identification was emphasized in the Sixth Plan.
- The Seventh Plan focused on creating sports infrastructure.
- The Eighth Plan pushed for rural sports through the Special Area Games Approach.
- The Ninth and Tenth Plans emphasized the modernization and excellence of sports infrastructure across India.
Parliamentary Committee Observations
In 1995, the Standing Committee on Human Resource Development issued its Thirty-Fourth Report with significant recommendations:
- A phased plan to build infrastructure over time.
- Sports complexes in each Panchayat, with regular competitions.
- Panchayat responsibility in scouting young talent scientifically.
Gaps in Implementation
Despite these insights, progress in grassroots sports development—especially in rural areas—has been slow. A 1998 review by the Parliament Standing Committee on Human Resource Development highlighted deeper systemic issues:
- Weak sports culture.
- Poor integration of sports into formal education.
- Poor coordination between stakeholders.
- Inadequate infrastructure.
- Low participation of women.
- Lack of fair and effective talent selection processes.
Recommendations from 2006–07 Reports
The Department-Related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Demands for Grants (2006–07) and the Working Group on Youth Affairs and Sports for the X and XI Five-Year Plans both called for:
- Direct funding to state governments for rural sports infrastructure.
- Patronage of rural sports through centrally funded initiatives.
- Broader participation as a basis for enhanced talent scouting.
- Establishing a national network of basic sports infrastructure to ensure equitable access.
Need for Sports Policy
There is a growing consensus among policy makers and committees that India needs a more cohesive and inclusive sports development framework and improve Indian sports policy. According to the Working Group on Youth Affairs and Sports, such a framework should emphasize:
- A threefold perspective: sports and physical education as part of youth development; broad-based community-level participation; and excellence in international competitive sports.
- Holistic integration of sports into national development strategies to empower the youth.
Conclusion
Committee recommendations over the years have laid a strong foundation for sports policy in India. Yet, the implementation gap remains significant. For India to emerge as a true sporting nation, the country must act decisively, strengthening rural outreach, improving infrastructure, fostering talent, and most importantly, making sports an essential part of its educational and developmental blueprint. A comprehensive National Sports Policy, informed by past reports, is not just an administrative necessity, it is a national imperative.
This Blog is written by Saumya Soni, advocate, Supreme Court of India.
For queries or collaborations, write to us at sportslegalorg@gmail.com
