The Study IAS

Tag: Sports

  • India and Olympics

    Context:

    In his Independence Day address, Prime Minister announced India’s ambitious goal to host the 2036 Olympic Games, highlighting that preparations are already underway. 

     

    electing olympic and paralymic host

     

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    Process to host the Olympic Games 

    It involves several structured steps, starting about 11 years before the event:

    • Initial Interest: Cities express interest, and national Olympic committees (NOCs) select a national candidate. Informal discussions and continuous dialogue with the IOC take place.
    • Bidding Process: Formal bids are submitted around nine years before the Games, followed by an evaluation where the IOC narrows down the finalists.
    • Feasibility Study: The IOC assesses the viability of bids, considering factors like infrastructure and sustainability, followed by targeted dialogue to refine proposals.
    • Final Selection: The IOC members vote in a secret ballot to select the host city, which then signs the Olympic Host Contract.

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    Challenges Faced by Sports in India

     

    • Funding and Infrastructure: Athletes struggle with limited financial support and inadequate access to high-quality training facilities, especially in rural areas.
    • China’s budget for preparing its athletes for the Tokyo Olympics alone likely exceeded India’s total expenditure on Olympic training over the past 70 years.
    • Administrative Issues: Sports associations suffer from poor management and lack of standardisation, with most funding directed towards cricket, sidelining other sports.
    • Cultural Barriers: Sports are often not seen as a viable career, with academic pursuits prioritised. A strong sporting culture is missing, and religious beliefs can limit participation in certain sports.
    • Gender Bias: Women face significant hurdles, including bias and sexism, making it difficult to reach the top in Indian sports.
    • Remuneration and Job Security: Sports lack adequate pay and job security, leading parents to discourage sports careers in favour of academics. Additionally, there is no sports quota in top educational institutions.

     

    sports budget of india

    Initiatives taken by Government

     

    • Khelo India Program (2018): Focuses on creating a strong sports ecosystem by identifying and nurturing young talent, providing scholarships of ₹5 lakh per year for 1,000 athletes over eight years.
    • Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS): TOPS is a key initiative focused on offering specialised support to athletes with medal potential. TOPS provides assistance across several important areas:
        • Training and Camps: National Coaching Camps and international training sessions.
        • Foreign Exposure: Opportunities for athletes to compete and train overseas.
        • Specialised Support: Hiring of foreign experts, coaches, and support staff.
        • Equipment and Facilities: Provision of necessary sports equipment and training facilities.
        • Financial Assistance: Direct funding to cover various aspects of athletes’ preparation.
    • Fit India Movement (2019): Promotes physical fitness and a healthy lifestyle through nationwide campaigns and activities.
    • National Centre of Sports Sciences and Research (NCSSR): Supports high-level research and innovation in sports science and medicine to enhance elite athlete performance.
    • National Sports Development Fund (NSDF): Established in 1998, provides financial assistance for sports initiatives and athlete support.

  • National Sports Day

    Context:

    India celebrates National Sports Day every year on August 29, a special occasion dedicated to honouring the spirit of sports in the country. 

     

    About National Sports Day:

    • The Indian government established National Sports Day in 2012, designating August 29 as a day to recognise excellence in sports. 
    • This day serves as a celebration and a reminder of how sports enrich our lives and foster community bonds.
    • The date was chosen to pay tribute to Major Dhyan Chand, famously known as the “Wizard of Hockey.” 
    • On this special day, various sports-related events are organised across the country, where athletes, teams, and individuals are honoured for their outstanding achievements. 
    • The day aims to raise awareness about the importance of sports and physical fitness in daily life.

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    Major Dhyan Chand

    Born on August 29, 1905, Dhyan Chand is regarded as one of the greatest hockey players in history. 

    His exceptional skills and dedication helped India win Olympic gold medals in 1928, 1932, and 1936. 

    Renowned for his ball control and on-field vision, he earned the titles “Hockey Wizard” and “The Magician.” 

    Due to his practice sessions under the moonlight, he was given the name “Chand,” meaning moon in Hindi.

    Throughout his career, Major Dhyan Chand played 185 matches and scored over 400 goals. 

    In 2021, the Indian government honoured him by renaming the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award to the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, which is presented annually by the President of India. 

    In 2023, badminton players Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy were among those who received this prestigious award, recognising their outstanding contributions to Indian sports.

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    National Sports Awards:

    The National Sports Awards represent the highest level of sporting honours in India, celebrating and rewarding exceptional achievements in sports. These awards are presented annually to recognise outstanding performances at both national and international levels, encourage sportsmanship, and foster a sense of national pride and unity in a diverse country like India. The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Government of India, administers these awards.

     

    Categories:

    The six main categories of the National Sports Awards are:

    • Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award: Introduced in 1991-92, the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award is India’s highest sporting honour. 
      • The award is given for outstanding achievements in sports over a four-year period, and recipients receive a medallion, certificate, and cash prize. 
      • Karnam Malleswari was the first Indian woman to receive the award.
    • Arjuna Award: Named after Arjuna from the Mahabharata, the Arjuna Award was established in 1961 and was India’s top sporting honour before the Khel Ratna. 
      • It recognises consistent good performance over four years and includes a statuette of Arjuna, a certificate, and a cash prize. 
      • The first award went to football Olympian PK Banerjee.
    • Dronacharya Award: Instituted in 1985, the Dronacharya Award is the highest honour for coaches in India, named after Dronacharya from the Mahabharata. 
      • It is awarded to coaches who produce medal winners at major international events and includes a bronze statue of Dronacharya, a certificate, and a cash prize. 
      • The first woman to receive the award was athletics coach Renu Kohli in 2002.
    • Major Dhyan Chand Award: Named after Dhyan Chand, the Major Dhyan Chand Award honours lifetime achievements in sports. 
      • Established in 2002, it is given for significant contributions to sports and includes a statuette, certificate, and cash prize. 
      • The first recipients were Shahuraj Birajdar (Boxing), Ashok Diwan (Hockey), and Aparna Ghosh (Basketball).
    • Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy (MAKA Trophy): The oldest National Sports Award, the MAKA Trophy was introduced in 1956-57 in honour of Shri Abul Kalam Azad, India’s first education minister. 
      • It is awarded to institutions or universities for top performance in inter-university sports tournaments over the past year and includes a rolling trophy and a cash prize. 
      • Bombay University was the first recipient.
    • Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar: Established in 2009, this award recognises organisations and individuals for their role in sports promotion and development. 
      • Categories include nurturing young talent, corporate social responsibility in sports, employment of sportspersons, and sports welfare measures. 
      • Winners receive a citation and a trophy. 
      • Tata Steel Limited was among the first to receive this award.
    • Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award: Introduced in 1993-94 and named after the legendary mountaineer Tenzing Norgay, this award recognises outstanding achievements in adventure sports. 
      • It was first awarded to members of the successful Indo-Nepalese women’s Everest expedition of 1993. 
      • Since 2004, the Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award has also been presented alongside these six National Sports Awards.

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    Schemes implemented by the Ministry for the development of sports 

    • Scheme of “Khelo India- National Programme for Development of Sports” ;
    • Assistance to National Sports Federations(NSFs)
    • National Sports Awards;
    • Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay National Sports Welfare Scheme;
    • National Sports Development Fund; and
    • Sports Training Centres through Sports Authority of India.

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  • Vinesh Phogat’s Olympics Disqualification

    Context:

    Wrestler Vinesh Phogat was disqualified from the Paris Olympics after failing the second weigh-in before her scheduled gold medal bout. As a result, she will not secure a medal in the 50 kg category.

    What is Weight Cutting?

    • Definition: Weight cutting is the practice where combat athletes rapidly lose weight before weigh-ins to meet specific weight class requirements.
    • Purpose: The goal is to gain a competitive edge by making weight during the weigh-in and then regaining weight before the actual competition, potentially providing an advantage.

     

    Importance of Weight in Combat Sports:

    • Weight Classes: Combat sports like wrestling, boxing, and MMA are divided into weight classes to ensure fair competition between similarly sized athletes.
    • Weigh-Ins: Athletes must meet their weight class requirements at designated weigh-ins before their matches.

     

    Vinesh Phogat’s Disqualification:

    • Initial Success: Vinesh cleared the weigh-in on Day 1 but was found slightly over 50 kg during the Day 2 weigh-in.
    • Struggles with Weight: Vinesh had to cut her weight from her usual 55-56 kg to 50 kg for the competition, which proved challenging. Despite her efforts to shed the weight overnight, she missed the mark by a few grams on Day 2.

     

    Why Weight Cutting is Controversial:

    • Health Risks: Extreme weight cutting can be dangerous, leading to dehydration, cardiovascular problems, brain injury, heat stroke, and long-term health issues. Some athletes have suffered severe consequences, including death.
    • Safety Concerns: The rapid and drastic nature of weight cutting poses significant health risks, sparking debate over its safety and calls for regulation or banning.

     

    Regulations and Alternatives:

    • Current Rules: Olympic wrestling now requires weigh-ins on both competition days to prevent extreme weight cutting and rapid weight regain.
    • Proposed Solutions: Some experts advocate banning weight cutting, while others suggest progressive weight loss over a longer period as a safer alternative.

     

    Conclusion:

    Vinesh Phogat’s disqualification for failing to meet the weight on Day 2 underscores the challenges and risks of weight cutting in combat sports, fueling the ongoing debate about its safety and ethics in competitive environments.

  • UNESCO Report: Women and Girls’ Access to Sport still Lagging far Behind

    UNESCO Report: Women and Girls’ Access to Sport still Lagging far Behind

    Context:

    Ahead of the Olympic Games, a new UNESCO report reveals that women and girls still lack equal access to sports at all levels. UNESCO urges its 194 Member States to address these inequalities by implementing the report’s recommendations.

     

    UNESCO’s Urgent Challenges and Recommendations:

    • End Gender-Based Violence: 21% of female athletes (and 11% of males) have reported experiencing sexual abuse in sports.

     

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    India in Paris Olympic:

    • The Indian team includes 117 athletes competing across 16 sports, such as archery, shooting, and boxing.
    • With 70 men and 47 women, they will participate in 69 events and compete for 95 medals. 
    • The team also features a 29-member athletics group.

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    • Focus on creating and enforcing strong safeguarding standards and legal frameworks to protect athletes and hold perpetrators accountable.
    • Reduce Teenage Dropout: 49% of girls drop out of sports during adolescence, a rate six times higher than boys.
    • Address factors such as lack of female role models, safety concerns, and negative body image through targeted initiatives.
    • Media Coverage: Only 5% of sports media coverage is dedicated to women’s sports
    • The pay gap in professional sports is a prominent sign of inequality, with Forbes’ list of the 50 highest-paid athletes still featuring no women.
    • Increase Women in Leadership: Only 30% of major sports federations led by women.
    • The Paris 2024 Olympics is breaking new ground by achieving full gender parity among competitors for the first time, with an equal number of female and male athletes participating this summer.

     

    Six Key Measures to ensure Gender Equality:

    • Promote female athlete role models and involve male athletes as allies.
    • Advocate for fair representation and support women in sports journalism.
    • Strengthen laws and regulations to prevent discrimination and violence in sports.
    • Create transparent and anonymous reporting systems for abuse and enhance legal processes.
    • Develop training programs for sports professionals on gender equality and violence prevention.
    • Integrate experiences of women who have faced discrimination into policy and gather gender-disaggregated data.

     

     

    Indian Women’s Participation in Sports: Key Points

    • Women’s participation in sports has increased significantly, from 2.2% in 1990 to 47% at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
    • At Tokyo 2020, India fielded a 44% women contingent, reflecting progress in gender representation.
    • Indian sports women like Sania Mirza, Mary Kom, Mithali Raj, and PV Sindhu have made significant contributions and inspired many.
    • Positive Trends: Women from Haryana, traditionally a male-dominated region, are now excelling in various sports, indicating a shift towards greater female participation.

     

    Challenges and Constraints:

    • Lack of Encouragement: Many women face discouragement from parents and traditional social norms.
    • Societal Issues: There is a general lack of sports orientation and motivation in society.
    • Leadership and Motivation: Absence of proper leadership and mentorship limits opportunities for women.

     

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    India’s Initiation for the Promotion of Women in Sports:

    Khelo India – National Programme for Development of Sports:

    • Sports for Women: Focuses on less-represented sports for women.
    • ASMITA Portal: Launched on 22 August 2023 to promote women athletes.
    • “Dus ka Dum” Sports competition: Launched on International Women’s Day, March 2023, with over 1,500 events and more than 100,000 women participants.
    • The BCCI has introduced pay equity policy for women cricketers to address discrimination. 
    • Assistance to National Sports Federations (NSFs).
    • National Sports Awards.
    • Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay National Sports Welfare Scheme
    • National Sports Development Fund
    • Sports Training Centres through Sports Authority of India (SAI)

    Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS):

    • Support for promising athletes, including women, in modern sports sciences and international competitions.

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