NEW DELHI: The growing intent to elevate sports as a core element of India’s progress is gaining traction, but challenges remain in developing a cohesive and structured approach to Indian sports. To address these challenges, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and the Sports and Society Accelerator have unveiled a groundbreaking report titled ‘Sports-Forward Nation’.
This report lays out a strategic roadmap to fuel India’s sporting ambitions and create a robust sports ecosystem. The Sports-Forward Nation report identifies four key pillars essential for the growth of the Indian sports ecosystem: commerce, technology, performance, and societal impact. These pillars were researched extensively by consulting industry leaders and stakeholders.
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The report also highlights a ten-step roadmap to build a national sports ecosystem that drives forward progress and positions sports as a key pillar of national development. It provides a detailed view of India’s journey in sports, focusing on the importance of ensuring that sports and physical activities are accessible to all, from the grassroots to the elite level.
Case studies within the report show the growing commercial viability of sports competitions, the expanding sports technology landscape, advancements in performance-driven initiatives, and the positive social impact of sports in local communities.
Smriti Mandhana, Captain of Royal Challengers Bengaluru, expressed her support for the initiative, stating, “To see India as a Sports-Forward Nation would mean a lot to all of us sportspersons. It’s all about the journey to becoming a sporting powerhouse. Domestic cricket, IPL, and now the WPL are great examples of how cricket has benefitted from a strong system. Domestic women players are now earning independently and getting the right exposure through platforms like the WPL. I hope to see similar stories across other sports, inspiring more girls to take up sports and find success.”
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Rajesh Menon, Chief Operating Officer of RCB, shared the team’s vision, saying, “At RCB, we are committed to actively participating in the growth of Indian sports. We’ve gained valuable insights into what works in the IPL, but now, we feel the need to bring together the entire industry to drive this journey forward collectively. To become a champion nation in sport, we need to create the right environment for athlete development, and we hope initiatives like the Made of Bold sports development programme and the RCB Innovation Lab Indian Sports Summit will serve as examples of our commitment.”
The Sports-Forward Nation report underscores the crucial role of sports in nation-building and the collective belief that by 2047, sports should be an integral part of every Indian’s life.
The report’s origins date back to the RCB Innovation Lab Indian Sports Summit, which was held in November 2023. The summit brought together top sports leaders, including India’s G20 Sherpa Mr Amitabh Kant, Olympians Abhinav Bindra and Neeraj Chopra, as well as cricketing icons like Brendon McCullum and Smriti Mandhana, to discuss the future of sports in India from a holistic perspective.
The report outlines a Priority Roadmap for 2047, focusing on sustainable policies, talent pathways, high-performance strategies, regulatory capacity, sports technology, private participation, and inclusive development, among other areas. The roadmap will be further discussed at the upcoming RCB Innovation Lab Indian Sports Summit, which will be held on March 14th and 15th in Bengaluru.
This vision for a Sports-Forward Nation aims to ensure that India’s athletes and sports ecosystem are supported and that the country becomes a true global leader in the world of sports.
