Need for Revitalizing Rural Sports

This post on Need for Revitalizing Rural Sports has been created based on article “Go, kho kho, go” published in The Hindu on 21^st January 2025.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS paper 2- Sports and affairs

Context: The article argues that India needs to invest more time and resources into promoting rural sports like kho kho, alongside other underrepresented sports, to improve its international sporting achievements.

How popular is kho kho globally and in India?

1. Kho kho is not widely popular globally, and even in India, where it originated, it has limited recognition.
2. India is not a major global sporting power, although it excels in cricket and chess.

What recent achievements have been made in kho kho and why it is significant?

1. India won both the men’s and women’s titles at the inaugural Kho Kho World Cup in New Delhi, led by Pratik Waikar and Priyanka Ingle, respectively.
2. These victories highlight India’s dominance in kho kho, a rural-centric game, but also underline the need for its broader global recognition.

 What are recent notable achievements in other games?

• Cricket: India won the T20 World Cup last year, despite its current struggles.
• Chess: D. Gukesh became World Chess Champion, and Koneru Humpy regained the Women’s World Rapid Chess Championship.
• However, despite historic achievements like the double gold at the Chess Olympiad, chess has not received sufficient acclaim or support.

How did India perform at the Paris Olympics and What does this indicate about Indian sports?

1. India won six medals but failed to meet expectations, finishing 71st, below Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan.
2. It highlights systemic issues in sports management and the need for federations to review their functioning.

What can other sports learn from cricket in India?

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has improved infrastructure, shared revenue growth with players, and successfully managed the sport despite criticism.

What steps can governments take to promote diverse sports?

1. Develop better infrastructure for varied sports like kho kho.
2. Nurture underrepresented sports at both central and state levels.
3. Evaluate whether initiatives like Khelo India justify their large budgets.