-Everyday Life Should Embrace Sports, Says IOA President P.T. Usha
New Delhi, September 12 (HS): The two-day conference PlayComm 2025: Business of Sports Summit began on Friday at Bharat Mandapam with a strong call to make sports an integral part of India’s national journey. Delivering the keynote address, Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, emphasized that sports must be transformed into a collective and shared mission for the nation.
At the summit, organized by The Hindu Group’s Sportstar in collaboration with KPMG India, Dr. Mandaviya unveiled the KPMG–Sportstar India Business of Sports Report and inaugurated the Sports Tech and Manufacturing Expo, a platform showcasing innovation and collaboration in the sports ecosystem.
Highlighting government initiatives such as the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), the Minister said India needs a comprehensive vision, a clear roadmap, and active participation from all stakeholders to advance Indian sports. He underscored that the upcoming National Sports Policy reflects global best practices but remains rooted in India’s unique strengths. The policy, he said, focuses on good governance, robust infrastructure, sports science integration, and systematic talent identification and nurturing.
Dr. Mandaviya also celebrated India’s vibrant diversity, noting that the nation simultaneously experiences Himalayan snowfall, desert heat in Rajasthan, and monsoon rains in Tamil Nadu, creating a remarkable variety of sporting environments. He urged the creation of an ecosystem that provides talented children from villages, cities, and tribal areas equal opportunities to shine.
Citing the success of grassroots initiatives, he said campaigns like Khelo India, Fit India, and Sundays on Cycle illustrate the nation’s untapped enthusiasm. Launched with just 250 clubs, the cycling movement has now spread to over 8,000 locations nationwide, a testament to India’s sporting passion and potential. “Every child should grow up with a passion for sports, every street should become a playground, and every podium should see the Indian tricolour flying high,” the Minister declared.
Meanwhile, Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President and legendary athlete P.T. Usha stressed the need to broaden India’s sporting focus. She asserted that the country must aspire for excellence beyond cricket, aiming to achieve global recognition in athletics, swimming, gymnastics, cycling, and other disciplines.
Usha called for a cultural shift that makes sports a part of everyday life rather than an occasional spectacle. Schools, she said, must ensure time and space for play, while communities should provide safe grounds for boys and girls alike. Parents, too, must view sports as an opportunity rather than a risk. “When we create such a culture, medals and records will naturally follow,” Usha affirmed.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
