India must consider treating sports as a fundamental right to produce champions
Ashleigh Barty became a tennis legend in Australia, held the number one ranking in women’s singles, earned $23 million, won three Grand Slams, and retired from sports, all at the age of 25. That sounds so far-fetched from where we in India are in terms of a universal commitment to sports. We may in fact be much farther from reality. Take the example of a case the Supreme Court heard the previous Monday. It was a petition suggesting the inclusion of sports as a fundamental right. The apex court heard it, deeming it quite important. But it ended up in an argument over which was superior — sports or physical literacy. The latter includes yoga and allied activities. Still, realising the seriousness of the matter, the court decided to take it up on another date. This is not the path to being a sporting nation. Should we have sports as a fundamental right? Would that inculcate in us a spirit of participation, team spirit, solidarity, tolerance and fair play, contributing to personal development and fulfilment? Or will the right to sports make it a national endeavour to recognise and nurture talent to win medals in international tournaments? This is not the first time we are hearing this debate. In 2018, the Supreme Court wrestled with the issue and passed an order on a petition that inculcating sporting values among the younger generation will bring and promote “patience, comity and friendship”.
The court even issued notices to the Centre, UGC, NCERT and Sports Authority of India on treating sports as a fundamental right. The petition sought the creation of a congenial sports atmosphere and imparting sports education and training to children from primary school onwards. Education should not make them win medals but also become strong, fair and competent citizens in life. There is no indication that we have budged an inch on the issue since then. Though we seldom debate on a national sports policy, we never hesitate to pass judgment on the sports policies of communist countries. The criticism of these countries is not entirely unfounded. Whether it is Romania, Russia or China, the practice of sports is guaranteed and backed by the State. The Government steers the entire sporting superstructure, from the selection of the right students to making them stand on an Olympic podium. The training is tough and many students buckle under pressure. On average, one champion emerges out of every 900 children. The State backs only the champions, discarding the rest. That is because the State propagates elite sports as a social position that brings privileges. While the training is not as rigid in Europe, a national attitude to sports is encouraged. We in India should take the issue to the public sphere for a national debate. Should sports be in the Concurrent List for active cooperation between Centre and States? Should physical education be a compulsory curriculum? We have to start somewhere.