Neglecting Sports neglects a nation

Ashok kumar Salhotra
ashoksportsman@gmail.com
Though many initiatives and work on framing policies and even legislation towards development and reform in the field of sports have been taken by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, unfortunately the blurred notion about the field of Physical Education and Sports carried by some sections of society still exists beyond doubt. This is because of the fact that complete focus is on academics, very little importance is given to health, physical fitness and sports, treating them as part of co-curricular or optional subjects. Besides, people feel the future lies in getting good marks and do not realize the consequences on the physical and mental health of children. The time is now to have deep introspection over this field, laying a strong foundation through play for building a healthy, disciplined and productive nation. A nation with fit and healthy people is a strong nation, and sick people are liabilities for the nation.
Sports In Vedas And Puranas
In the Vedas, there is mention of physical and sports activities like wrestling (Yudhas) and archery (Dhanurveda), which were considered important for warriors. Even Ayurveda, which is part of the Atharva Veda, speaks about a healthy mind in a healthy body through exercise, pure and balanced diet, meditation and lifestyle.
In the Puranas and the epic Mahabharata, we also find mention of sports like chariot and horse racing, yoga and pranayama, in addition to the use of heavy equipment made of stone, wood and metal. The Mahabharata also highlights that physical fitness, arrow sports and martial arts were part of warriors’ training. Characters like Arjuna, Bhima and Krishna were known for extraordinary physical prowess, wisdom and exceptional skills. The holy Guru Granth Sahib emphasizes physical and mental well-being, highlighting the importance of physical strength and purity of mind, and also encouraging control over vices like pride, ego, anger/temper, lust, greed, addiction and dependency.
Evidence in various ancient civilizations
Revelations from excavations reveal that the Indus Valley Civilization had a rich cultural heritage along with sports and physical activities, showcasing its emphasis on fitness and leisure. Some notable examples have been traced: terracotta figurines of wrestlers and acrobats, indicating a physical culture of strength and agility, besides game boards and pieces suggesting strategic games like chess or dice.
In roman and greek civilizations
The Romans had great love for body culture, physical education, sports and hygiene. They focused mainly on activities and disciplines like swimming, wrestling, chariot racing, combat, track and field, besides prioritizing gladiatorial combat sports, whereas the Greeks set many milestones in conceptualization and development, transforming and giving the world a gift by encouraging sports and physical culture, and bringing the world together with the concept of the biggest sporting event on earth, the Olympic Games. The unique initiative of organizing the first Olympic Games in 776 BC was a historical landmark. The Greeks valued complete body fitness and physical prowess. They gave topmost importance to gymnasiums, wrestling, boxing and athletics as part of rigorous training for athletes and as a way of daily fitness.
Key perspectives given by ancient philosophy
Plato (427-347 BCE) believed that Physical Education was essential for developing the body and soul. He advocated gymnastics, wrestling and military training for physical fitness, courage and discipline (Republic, Book 3). Aristotle (384-322 BCE), while emphasizing the importance of physical education, described it as essential for developing virtues like courage, temperance and justice. He also believed that physical activity contributes to developing moral character (Nicomachean Ethics, Book 10). The modern era definitely needs to learn more and follow the footprints of great thinkers, ancient wisdom and policymakers, and choose how benefits can be derived for robust health and survival in the present environment. Like other States and Union Territories, the J&K Government also has a dedicated policy document to address various aspects of sports and physical education governance, integrating physical education into the education curriculum not as an optional but as a compulsory subject in schools, filling the big gap existing between academics and physical education and sports, with an understanding of coordination, accessibility and skill development, and meeting the aspiration of the nation to establish a higher place at the Olympics and to see India as a developed nation in 2047.
If one visualizes the initiatives and measures towards promotion and development of the field of sports and physical education, one can say that no doubt much is being done with respect to holding mass sports and allied competitions right from block level to national level across India and the Jammu and Kashmir UT. However, organizing competitions, developing infrastructure and incentivization, and launching various development schemes and policies, while ignoring the foundation work-especially making physical education and sports compulsory subjects in schools and colleges-remains a serious concern.
Some Submissions
Capacity building programmes: The initiative might be beneficial for the Government and in the best interest of the field of sports and Physical Education. Periodical workshops to orient and reorient technocrats and administrators should be aligned with the vision of making this field more effective, dynamic, respectful and widely appreciated.
Skill Development: The Department of YS&S, Sports Council and all aligned segments in the capacity of stakeholders can include skill development as a priority aspect to help technocrats, officers, educationists, physical education experts, sports administrators, supporting staff and players keep themselves updated about advanced training and coaching, identify critical drawbacks in fitness and coaching, and track expected progress in all compartments. In a nutshell, skill development is not only relevant but an essential part of the system.
It is a valuable and strong observation of every right-minded thinker, member of civil society, sports coach, administrator and student that hundreds of efforts will not solve the problem and achieve the set goals, based on all features, provisions and initiatives proposed in the National Education Policy, Khelo Bharat Niti and the J&K Government’s Sports Policy of 2022, unless a proper ecosystem is given wings and life. Secondly, Physical Education and Sports must be introduced as compulsory subjects, with the creation of the required number of posts and the opening of sports nurseries, day-boarding and residential coaching, training and recreational centres, along with encouragement to sports club culture, sports associations and senior veterans.
(The writer is a retired sports administrator and sports analyst)

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