'NSP's 360-degree approach can pitchfork India as superpower'

Time of India

2 days ago

PT Usha (PTI Photo)
The new sports policy, christened the Khelo Bharat Niti, could not have been better timed. Hon'ble Prime Minister
Narendra Modi
's vision to transform India into healthy and sporty nation by 2047 is fundamental to becoming a global powerhouse.
Implemented in totality, the 360-degree approach of Khelo Bharat Niti and its collaborative model can make India a force to reckon with.
The definition of sports has changed. 'Olympism' is at the heart of sports. It is not about winning medals alone. It is about enhancing awareness, understanding your health, uplifting your body and mind to achieve excellence. Khelo Bharat Niti attempts to ride sports for social development and make it a people's movement.
I must mention how PM Modi's Fit India movement is making a significant impact regardless of age and gender.
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One unique aspect of PM Modi's vision is that it is conservative in approach. No big talk and it does not sell dreams. The government attempts to channelize youthfulness into by-products that will help build a Viksit Bharat. Development model which cannot be weighed in terms of winning medals at the global competitions alone.
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by Taboola
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How important is the alignment of sports policy with the National Education Policy for young athletes?
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One needs to set a process to achieve results and when we think of the several government initiatives like Khelo India, Target Olympic Podium Scheme etc., that process is already in place. Only some fine tuning, adjustments, a consolidated and positive approach among stakeholders are needed.
One major aspect of the new sports policy is its alignment with the National Education Policy. I have personally felt the impact of sports at the school level.
Before I excelled at the state, national and international arenas, I was first a school games champion. My roots were strong because I was honing my strengths from my school days.
Additionally, block-level sports infrastructure will be developed to ensure that even the most rural or remote areas have access to facilities, fostering inclusivity and engagement. If this happens, we will have an infra pyramid and a well-oiled feeder line that can benefit the country in the long run.
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As Indian Olympic Association president, it gives me great hope that Khelo Bharat Niti will pave the way for Indian athletes to make a mark at the 2036 Olympics. We have bid for the Games and still have 11 years to prepare. It takes anything between eight to 12 years to develop into a potential Olympic medallist. If Khelo Bharat Niti is implemented in letter and spirit, we can see golden days ahead.
Talking of the ecosystem, while athletes and their coaches remain our biggest priority, administrators have to play their roles as well.
The sports policy attempts at complete transparency in governance and an effective process that is gender neutral, sustainable, impartial and believes in fair play.
We can achieve great results if the ecosystem is seamless and we constantly find solutions to issues we face. Corporates need to look at the bigger picture and their main objective should be the welfare of athletes, nothing else.
Every successful nation at the Olympics not only showcases great athletes but a unified Olympic committee that prides itself in meeting the objectives to attain excellence on and off the pitch.
Khelo Bharat Niti will help reach the desired solidarity among National Sports Federations which make key decisions to make athletes shine. It is important that everyone is on the same page and there is a solution for every problem.
Consolidation of ideas, opportunity at every age level, development of infrastructure and multiple platforms to express one's skills are fundamental to sporting development and the new sports policy is therefore a perfect roadmap to enhance the culture of sports in India.
(PT Usha is a former international athlete and the president of IOA)
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