The Indian Sporting Scene Is Gaining Attraction Due To Improved Performances, Increased Government And Private Investment, And Increased Viewership
The Indian sports scene is gaining traction due to improved performances, increased government and private investment and increased viewership
In India, sport is often associated with cricket. For many years and to this day, cricket has been the most popular sport in our country. However, mega sporting events such as the Olympics and Commonwealth Games rejuvenate those around us for all the right reasons. India is a developing sports nation as it is getting better and better at competing internationally. Government funding and private equity are contributing to the growth, and viewership is the icing on the cake.
The Indian team’s success at Birmingham 2022 inspired and raised expectations for the Paris 2024 Olympics. India performed best at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games (the largest Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast India if you count the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi) and won 61 medals (22 gold, 16 silver and 23 bronze), five fewer than this year. Although shooting at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games had previously won 16 medals for India, shooting at the 2022 Games was not included. With nearly 60 medals and fourth place overall, India has fared quite well given that reality.
India will compete at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham with a squad of 215 competitors and boast an impressive 3.5 athletes per gold. India sent a delegation of 218 athletes to the Gold Coast in 2018, where they took home 66 medals, with a medalist ratio of 3.30 athletes per medal (16 shooting medals). India sent 224 athletes to the Glasgow 2014 Winter Olympics, where they took home 64 medals, with a medal ratio of 3.50 athletes per medal (17 shooting medals). India nevertheless shows a constant contingent despite having no shooters, both in terms of number of athletes and athletes’ medal quota.
Athlete odds per medal have remained at 2.4, 2.48 and 2.92 for elite teams such as Australia, England and Canada. If shooting and archery are included in the next Commonwealth Games, India could reduce the number of participants fighting for a gold. For a young nation like India, that’s incredibly optimistic and hopeful. India has performed admirably in many sporting competitions, but some of them stood out. India made history in athletics by winning 8 medals (second best after Delhi Commonwealth Games).
Whether it’s Eldhose Paul’s gold medal in the triple jump, Murali Sreeshankar’s silver medal in the long jump, or Avinash Sable’s generation record in the 3000m steeplechase, India’s sporting delegation continues to amaze the world and advance at breakneck speed. India had a ratio of 10.71 athletes per medal in 2018, but by 2022 it had dropped to 4.21 athletes per medal.
India made lawnball history by winning a gold (women’s foursome) and a silver (men’s foursome). Turf ball competitions have never been won by India; not only has this increased interest in the sport there, but it will also inspire players of all ages to get started.
The optimism and excitement of judo lovers was also fueled with 3 judo medals. Our ice hockey teams didn’t get on the podium at the last edition, but this year’s second and third place finishes for the men’s and women’s teams gave them more confidence for the 2017 World Championship. It’s a tremendous achievement that all 12 of our wrestlers were on the podium. India won 1 silver medal in table tennis in 2016; In 2022 it won 7 medals with 1.71 athletes winning each medal including 4 medals from the famous Sharath Achanta (3 gold and 1 silver).
India has also dominated badminton with three gold medals and one bronze medal. Badminton has effectively developed a sustainable structure independent of generational talent thanks to the efforts of the Badminton Federation of India and others. The Indian women’s cricket team also took home the illustrious silver medal (cricket made its debut at the 2022 Commonwealth Games).
India has become more active in world affairs thanks to the government and long-term preparation by the associations. Over 300 billion rupees more was allocated to sport by the Indian government than in the previous year. Currently Rs. 3062.60 Cr. the entire budget is earmarked for sports. GoI has increased funding for the National Youth Empowerment Program from Rs 108 crores to Rs 138 crores to improve grassroots sport.
In addition, funding for the Khelo India program increased from Rs. 879 Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) intended for likely Olympic medalists was introduced by the Ministry of Sport. Anand Rathi Advisors Limited (ARAL) published a study stating the following: The sports industry is expected to reach US$12.6 billion by 2027, quadrupling from US$27 billion in 2020. The sport is actively promoted and developed in India by companies including Reliance Jio, Amul, Tata, Edelweiss Financial Services, Adani Group, Herbalife, Li Ning, SBJ and JSW Foundation.
The number of advertisers will increase in direct proportion to the number of viewers. Just over 100 million people watched Tokyo 2020. The unprecedented number of medals won by the Indian team sparked a strong interest in the competition, particularly in sports such as hockey, track and field, wrestling, badminton, boxing and weightlifting. The Indian sports media industry was over US$1 billion in 2020 and it would grow to more than US$13.4 billion by 2027 according to research. The $52.1 billion market for media rights has enormous development potential.
With the commitment of our athletes, the support of the public and business sectors, and the affection of those around us, India can and is becoming the next great hub of sport.
edited and proofread by Nikita Sharma