The sporty state: Can Karnataka engineer a rich sporting culture?
As a sportsman(not professional), I’ve often wondered how I might have fared had the facilities & support been of higher professional standards. As I grew older, along the outskirts of the core of Bangalore there was a rapid surge in the number of badminton courts; on the back of Saina Nehwal’s success, the demand for badminton increased multi-fold. The courts were filled with students of all age groups trying to improve their game. Coupled with the increasing financial independence and dissociation from societal norms followed, parents have, over the past decade, been more inclined towards exploring fresh avenues for their children, leading to an unprecedented growth in the sport of badminton. Growing up during the 1990s was synonymous with an overwhelming saturation of cricket in the sporting landscape, casting a prolonged shadow over other disciplines, relegating them to relative obscurity and thus curbing their widespread popularity and recognition. In the 2000s and the 2010s, the paradigm has gradually shifted towards the inclusiveness and exploration of other sports. While badminton has gotten a push, the question still remains: Can we ‘engineer’ a rich sporting tradition in Karnataka?
What ails Karnataka’s sporting culture?
In Karnataka, a state with a rich sporting tradition, the journey to excellence for athletes is often fraught with obstacles. While the state has produced numerous sporting talents, the difficulties faced by sportsmen in Karnataka are a pressing concern. According to Hita Prakash of the Deccan Herald, sports in Bangalore is at the risk of facing a crisis.
“Poor sporting infrastructure, sports administration, and complete state apathy pose the threat of frustrating Karnataka’s pursuit of glory in any sport”, said sporting veterans.
1. Inadequate Sports Infrastructure
The most glaring issue faced by athletes in Karnataka is the lack of modern sports infrastructure. A report by the Sports Authority of Karnataka reveals that many sports facilities in the state are outdated, poorly maintained, or non-existent. Bangalore boasts of only premier athletic arena, the Kanteerava stadium, while the population has exploded to more than twice over the past decade. ( https://www.deccanherald.com/india/karnataka/poor-infrastructure-take-fun-govt-2327320)
An evaluation of the condition of 15 indoor stadia, 14 indoor halls and 14 swimming pools conducted by the Centre for Population Dynamics on behalf of the Department of Youth Services and Sports recently revealed that almost all swimming pools have compromised on safety aspects, most indoor stadia and halls and swimming pools do not have coaches, gym instructors and physio-therapists, and there is no common bylaws governing the use of these facilities. To add to these, in many districts the acute lack of prioritizing sports can be visibly seen in the sports infrastructure of the state. The study has found that the districts of Bangalore Rural, Tumkur, Chamarajnagar, Uttara Kannada, Gadag, Bellary and Yadgir do not have departmental facilities for indoor sports at all.
2. Financial Constraints
Financial constraints are a significant burden for Karnataka’s sportsmen. Data from a survey by the Karnataka Sports and Cultural Development Fund highlights that many athletes struggle to fund their training, travel, and equipment costs. These financial barriers discourage talented individuals from pursuing sports as a career, limiting the pool of potential athletes. Added to these, the state government announced the limited availability of funds for development the current fiscal year. Along with the subsidy schemes announced, a tilt towards sport might be a tougher ask. (https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/bengaluru-news/limited-funds-for-development-of-karnataka-this-year-shivakumar-101690400906788.html)
3. Limited Access to Quality Coaching
While Karnataka has produced sporting legends, including badminton icon Prakash Padukone, the state still faces a shortage of quality coaches. A report by the Karnataka Sports Authority indicates that athletes often have to travel long distances to access coaching, which can be a logistical challenge. This lack of access to experienced coaches affects the development of young talent and deprives them of critical mentorship. In a follow up article, Hita Prakash of the Deccan Herald(https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/other-sports/struggling-for-importance-2727116) has pointed out the lack of quality coaches in the sport of squash.
4. Sponsorship Woes
Securing sponsorships and financial support is an ongoing struggle for athletes in Karnataka. With limited corporate interest in non-mainstream sports, many promising athletes find it challenging to fund their training and competition expenses. The sports community has called for an increased private sector involvement in sponsoring athletes, similar to other states in India. According to the report, Sporting Nation in the making, by groupm ESP, the Sports Sponsorship spends in 2020 was to the tune of INR 1673 Cr, with cricket taking 64% of the share. The focus is gradually moving towards a wider range of sports, and for a true sporting culture, sponsorship will have to expand its wings into other sports too.
The positives, and the future
The state boasts of pleasant climatic conditions, with multiple types of terrains. With a significant chunk of the demography under the 20 year old age category, Karnataka offers a host of opportunities to focus on the encouragement of sports .Karnataka, known for technological innovation is poised to integrate technology’s enormous potential in the field of sports. By formulating a comprehensive sports policy, the state can pave the way for the development of sporting talent, infrastructure, and community engagement. A few possibilities
1. Talent Identification, nurturing and sponsorship: A robust sports policy can establish a systematic framework for identifying and nurturing young talent across the state. Targeting individuals in different districts and identifying the ‘terrain’ and possible infrastructural support, along with technology can provide a viable manner to narrow down and breed high quality sports persons.
2. Infrastructure Development: Karnataka must focus on constructing and upgrading stadiums, training centers, and sports academies. The availability of modern infrastructure is essential for athletes to hone their skills and compete at the highest levels; with India vying for the 2036 Olympics at home, it is imperative that a large portion of funding will go towards improvement of sports facilities, and it is time for the state to capitalize.
3. Training and Coaching: The state should allocate resources prioritizing the training and certification of coaches, ensuring that athletes receive quality guidance. Moreover, the state can collaborate with national and international sporting bodies to facilitate advanced training programs.
4. Encouraging Private Sector Participation: Collaboration with the private sector can be a game-changer for Karnataka’s sports ecosystem. Encouraging corporate sponsorships, investments in sports infrastructure, and partnerships in athlete development can propel the state’s sports sector.
5. Nutrition and Healthcare: A sports policy can also address the crucial aspects of athlete nutrition and healthcare. While speaking to a bunch of nutritionists, the startling trend of hyper urbanization has already impacted performance; dietary systems are key to producing fit athletes.
Let’s hope that the future of Karnataka paves way for the continuity of a rich sporting culture, by embracing a vast array of sports.
