NEW DELHI: In a world of sports dominated by professional leagues, the union sports ministry has embarked on a unique initiative to organise national leagues in key disciplines — primarily featuring in the Olympics and major multisport events – on its own to create a structured platform for athletes to showcase their talent.
With several national sports federations (NSFs) either facing legal proceedings due to internal fighting or being run in an unprofessional manner, the ministry has taken upon itself to provide a platform to athletes at grassroots and developmental level to participate in such leagues. The govt scouts will identify talented young sportspersons who will then be inducted into govt-run sports academies where they will be provided training, equipment and financial support similar to sportspersons enrolled under Khelo India.
The leagues are aimed at enhancing sports professionalism across the country in disciplines where no such professional meets have ever been organised or those which have been neglected.
The structure of these leagues will depend upon the nature of each game and the role of the NSFs will only be limited to overseeing the technical conduct. The leagues will follow the franchise-based model, wherein the ministry and Sports Authority of India (SAI) will provide an ecosystem or umbrella support for the organisation of these leagues. The participation of overseas teams or athletes won’t be allowed since the objective of such leagues will be to create opportunities at the grassroots level.
To strengthen the initiative, the ministry is working to involve the corporate sector in the sports academies’ ecosystem, fostering a collaborative approach towards resource mobilisation, infrastructure development and expertise sharing.
“This initiative will not only boost professionalism in sports but also promote the culture of sports academies across India. The ministry and SAI won’t venture in cases where there are professionally-run leagues with enough competitive exposure to athletes. In cases where there is scope, the ministry and SAI will organise it as a joint effort. The creation of a leagues-based system is purely aimed at enhancing sports culture and creating opportunities for athletes,” a ministry official said.
