Playing for Progress, Why Elevating Sports to a National Priority is India’s Next Strategic Imperative

Playing for Progress, Why Elevating Sports to a National Priority is India’s Next Strategic Imperative

The recent recommendation by the Executive Board of Commonwealth Sport for Ahmedabad to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games is more than a sporting accolade; it is a symbolic starter’s pistol for a much larger national project. As India prepares to potentially host the centenary edition of the Games, the event underscores a burgeoning realization: sports must be elevated from a peripheral activity to a core national priority sector. This shift in perspective is not merely about winning more medals on the global stage, though that is a welcome outcome. It is about harnessing the transformative power of sports to fuel public health, drive economic growth, foster social cohesion, and build a more resilient and confident nation aligned with the ambitious goals of Viksit Bharat by 2047.

For decades, sport in India was viewed through a narrow lens—either as a form of entertainment or a discretionary pursuit for a select few with elite talent. Its potential as a strategic tool for national development was largely untapped. This is rapidly changing. The recently approved National Sports Policy 2025 (NSP 2025) marks a paradigm shift, moving away from a siloed focus on podium finishes to a holistic, “whole-of-ecosystem” vision. This new approach recognizes that a healthy, skilled, and unified population is the true engine of an advanced economy, and sport is uniquely positioned to deliver on all these fronts simultaneously.

The Economic Game-Changer: From Pastime to Powerhouse

One of the most compelling arguments for prioritizing sports lies in its immense, and often underestimated, economic potential. Currently, sports and physical activity (SAPA) contribute a meager 0.1% to India’s GDP and account for only about 0.5% of the nation’s jobs. This is a fraction of its true capacity. In comparable high-growth economies, the sports sector is a significant contributor, fueling a diverse and vibrant ecosystem.

A growing sports economy is not limited to athletes and stadiums. It encompasses a vast value chain:

• Infrastructure Development: The construction and maintenance of stadiums, training centers, and public play spaces.

• Manufacturing: The production of sports equipment, apparel, and footwear, aligning perfectly with the ‘Make in India’ initiative.

• Sports Technology: Innovations in data analytics, wearable tech, performance tracking, and broadcasting.

• Services: A surge in fields like sports medicine, physiotherapy, nutrition, fitness training, and rehabilitation.

• Media and Content: The entire industry around sports journalism, streaming services, and content creation.

With the right regulatory support and incentives, India can transform into a global hub for sports innovation and entrepreneurship. The NSP 2025 envisions a future where the sports sector contributes up to 2% of India’s GDP and generates 4% of the nation’s jobs by 2047. Achieving this would mean creating millions of new livelihoods, not just for athletes, but for engineers, manufacturers, data scientists, therapists, and marketers, building a robust and future-proof industry.

The Public Health Dividend: An Antidote to a Looming Crisis

The economic argument is powerfully complemented by an urgent public health imperative. India is grappling with a rising burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like diabetes, hypertension, and cardiac issues, which now account for over 60% of all deaths. Alarmingly, lifestyle-related health risks are soaring among children and youth, setting the stage for a national health crisis that could overwhelm public systems and stifle productivity.

Integrating sports and physical activity into the daily fabric of Indian life is one of the most effective and cost-efficient preventive healthcare strategies available. Promoting SAPA in schools, workplaces, and communities can dramatically improve cardiovascular health, strengthen mental well-being, reduce stress, and enhance overall cognitive function. An active population is a more productive population. The long-term fiscal savings for the public exchequer, by reducing the burden on healthcare systems, are monumental. It is estimated that by 2047, these health savings could contribute a staggering ₹15 lakh crore to India’s GDP. Investing in sports is, therefore, an investment in the nation’s physical and fiscal health.

The Social Fabric: Building a Cohesive and Confident India

Beyond spreadsheets and health metrics, sport serves as a powerful social glue. In a country marked by immense diversity, sport has a unique ability to transcend barriers of language, religion, and caste, fostering a shared sense of identity and national pride. The electrifying unity witnessed during international cricket tournaments is a testament to this power.

Furthermore, sport is a profound vehicle for empowerment and social development. It instills discipline, resilience, teamwork, and leadership—qualities that are invaluable in every walk of life. Integrating sport into school curricula is not just about discovering the next champion; it is about improving cognitive abilities, boosting school retention rates, and enhancing the overall employability of the youth. For women and marginalized communities, sport can be a particularly transformative force, challenging stereotypes, building confidence, and creating new avenues for social mobility. The NSP 2025 rightly frames sport as a “public good” and a “force multiplier” for achieving broader developmental goals, including gender equity and social inclusion.

The NSP 2025 Blueprint: A Framework for Holistic Growth

The National Sports Policy 2025 provides the comprehensive roadmap needed to realize this ambitious vision. Its strength lies in its interconnected, five-pillar framework:

1. Excellence: Continuing to support elite athletes and high-performance systems.

2. Education: Embedding sports and physical activity firmly within the educational curriculum.

3. Mass Participation: Ensuring access to sports facilities and encouraging activity across all age groups.

4. Economic Growth: Actively cultivating the sports economy as described above.

5. Social Development: Leveraging sport for community building, empowerment, and national unity.

Crucially, the policy advocates for a move away from top-down government schemes towards a model of collaborative governance. It calls for systemic partnerships between central and state governments, the private sector, and civil society to build a sustainable sports ecosystem.

The Path Forward: From Policy to Practice

A policy document, no matter how visionary, is only the first step. The real challenge lies in its execution. Several key actions are critical for this transition from aspiration to action:

• Catalyzing Competitive Federalism: Sports is a state subject, and the successes of states like Odisha have demonstrated the impact of committed local leadership. The central government should incentivize states through co-financing models and capacity-building partnerships. Instituting a national SAPA index, which tracks participation, infrastructure, and governance at the state level, could spur healthy competition, much like the Ease of Doing Business rankings.

• Unlocking Private Sector Potential: The scale of ambition outlined in NSP 2025 cannot be achieved without robust private sector involvement. This goes beyond corporate sponsorship of events. It requires private investment in sports academies, tech startups, infrastructure projects, and athlete development programs. Companies must begin to view sports not as charity but as a strategic investment in the nation’s human capital and their own workforce’s wellness.

• Building Grassroots Infrastructure: The dream of mass participation cannot be realized without accessible play spaces. This requires integrating sports infrastructure into urban planning—from large stadiums to neighborhood parks, running tracks, and school playgrounds. In rural areas, the focus must be on creating low-cost, multi-purpose facilities that serve as community hubs.

• Changing the National Mindset: Ultimately, the most significant shift must be cultural. Sport needs to be rebranded from a mere extracurricular option to an integral part of “how we live, learn, work, and grow.” This requires sustained public awareness campaigns and a fundamental change in parenting and educational attitudes, where daily physical activity is given the same importance as academic achievement.

Conclusion: The Final Whistle is Yet to Blow

The recommendation for Ahmedabad to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games is a timely opportunity, but it is just one event. The true legacy of this moment will be determined by what happens off the field in the years to come. India stands at a unique inflection point: it possesses a strong demographic dividend, a rising middle class, a clear national policy, and demonstrated intent from various governments.

By recognizing sport as a core pillar of its developmental trajectory, India can unlock a virtuous cycle of health, economic prosperity, and social unity. The goal is to move beyond episodic excellence and create a nation where sport is a lifelong companion for every citizen. The game has begun. It is now time for the entire nation—government, industry, and citizens alike—to play their part in building a fitter, more prosperous, and truly Viksit Bharat.

Q&A: Unpacking India’s National Sports Priority

1. What is the fundamental shift in perspective proposed by the National Sports Policy 2025 (NSP 2025)?

NSP 2025 marks a radical departure from previous policies that had a narrow focus on identifying elite talent and winning international medals. The new policy adopts a “whole-of-ecosystem” vision, framing sport as a transformative tool for broader national development. It integrates sports and physical activity (SAPA) into education, urban planning, healthcare, and economic policy, viewing it as a public good that can simultaneously drive health outcomes, job creation, social cohesion, and excellence.

2. How significant is the economic potential of the sports sector in India?

The potential is enormous and currently untapped. While SAPA currently contributes about 0.1% to India’s GDP, the vision is to increase this to 2% by 2047. More importantly, the sports economy is not just about athletes; it encompasses a vast value chain including infrastructure development, manufacturing of equipment and apparel, sports technology, media, and a wide range of services from fitness to physiotherapy. This expansion could see the sector’s share of national jobs rise from 0.5% to 4%, creating millions of new livelihoods.

3. What is the connection between sports and India’s public health challenges?

There is a direct and critical connection. With over 60% of deaths in India attributed to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like heart disease and diabetes, promoting physical activity is a key preventive strategy. Encouraging sports from a young age can combat sedentary lifestyles, improve mental health, and enhance overall productivity. The long-term fiscal benefit is staggering, with estimates suggesting that an active population could contribute ₹15 lakh crore to India’s GDP by 2047 through healthcare savings and increased productivity.

4. What role do state governments and the private sector play in this new vision?

• State Governments: As sports is a state subject, their role is crucial. The central government aims to encourage “competitive federalism” by incentivizing states through co-financing and partnerships. A proposed national SAPA index would rank states on participation and infrastructure, spurring them to prioritize sports development, similar to the model seen in Odisha.

• Private Sector: Their involvement is indispensable for scaling up the ecosystem. This includes investment in infrastructure (stadiums, academies), funding sports tech startups, sponsoring athletes, and incorporating employee wellness programs. The private sector is urged to see this not as CSR but as a strategic investment in India’s human capital and future market.

5. Beyond hosting events like the 2030 Commonwealth Games, what are the practical steps needed to make sport integral to Indian life?

Hosting is a catalyst, but lasting impact requires:

• Grassroots Infrastructure: Building accessible play spaces in urban and rural areas, and integrating sports into school curricula and facilities.

• Cultural Shift: Rebranding sport from a recreational pastime to an essential component of daily life, education, and personal development.

• Policy Implementation: Moving from the broad vision of NSP 2025 to actionable, funded, and monitored programs at all levels of government.

• Collaborative Models: Fostering successful partnerships between public institutions, private enterprises, and non-profit organizations to build a sustainable ecosystem.