Sports were taken seriously by both parents and teachers in ancient India. Back then, people knew that playing sports was important for a child's mental and physical health. Activities like swordsmanship, archery, martial arts, and lifting weights, were highly regarded. Students were also encouraged to participate in friendly sparring at those times. The proof of the dynamic sportsmanship in India can likewise be tracked down in the sagas of Mahabharata and Ramayana.

However, over the past few decades, parents have shifted their focus away from physical health and toward focusing solely on their children's academic success. Cricket must be the child's favorite subject if they show any interest.

One of the main factors that stymied the expansion of this highly deserving industry was the parental bias. In addition, the ignorance of the authorities in charge of sports also contributed to the decline in the popularity of other sports in India. However, this pattern has changed over the past three to five years.

All sports are getting a lot of attention from the Indian sports scene, which is driving up participation, viewership, and the sports-related industries. The rising demand for sports-related goods and services is fueled by India's changing outlook, rising disposable income, and improving economic climate.

The Indian sports industry has increased to $2.7 billion from $1.3 billion five years ago thanks to the contribution of the famous Indian Premier League, which is estimated to be worth $5.3 billion, as well as other leagues. "Sportz Village Schools," formerly known as EduSports, are excellent business models that allow schools to adopt sports education and assist in the recruitment of new participants for international competition.

India has a rich history of sports, with cricket, hockey, and kabaddi being some of the most popular sports in the country. However, in recent years, there has been a growing interest in other sports such as football, badminton, and wrestling. With a population of over 1.3 billion people, India has a vast pool of talent that has yet to be fully tapped. In this article, we will explore the future of sports in India and the potential for growth and development in various sports.

Cricket

Cricket is undoubtedly the most popular sport in India, with millions of fans and a highly successful national team. India has won two cricket World Cups, in 1983 and 2011, and is currently ranked second in the world in Test cricket and third in One-Day International cricket. The Indian Premier League (IPL) has also been a massive success, attracting some of the best players in the world and generating huge revenues for the sport.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has also been investing heavily in grassroots development and talent identification programs, which should help to ensure a steady stream of quality players in the years to come. The women's game is also growing rapidly, with India reaching the final of the Women's World Cup in 2017 and the semi-finals of the Women's T20 World Cup in 2020.

Football

Football is the world's most popular sport, but it has struggled to gain a foothold in India, which has traditionally been dominated by cricket. However, in recent years, there has been a growing interest in football, with the Indian Super League (ISL) attracting some of the biggest names in world football and generating huge interest from fans across the country.

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has been working to identify and nurture young talent, and the establishment of the Indian Arrows academy, which focuses on developing young players, is a step in the right direction. The Indian national team has also shown signs of improvement, with a number of promising young players coming through the ranks.

Badminton

Badminton is one of the fastest-growing sports in India, with the likes of Saina Nehwal and PV Sindhu becoming household names. India has also had success in team events, winning the gold medal in badminton at the 2018 Commonwealth Games. The Premier Badminton League (PBL) has also been a huge success, attracting some of the best players in the world and generating huge interest from fans across the country.

The Badminton Association of India (BAI) has been investing heavily in grassroots development, and the establishment of the National Badminton Academy in Hyderabad is a positive step. With the right support and investment, badminton has the potential to become one of India's most successful sports.

Wrestling

Wrestling has a long history in India, with the sport dating back to ancient times. India has had success in international wrestling competitions, with Sushil Kumar winning a bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and a silver medal at the 2012 London Olympics. The Pro Wrestling League (PWL) has also been a success, attracting some of the best wrestlers in the world and generating huge interest from fans across the country.

The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has been investing in grassroots development and talent identification programs, and the establishment of training centers and academies across the country is a positive step. With the right support and investment, wrestling has the potential to become one of India's most successful sports.

Other Sports

India has a rich sporting culture, with a number of sports that are popular at the grassroots level but have yet to reach their full potential. These include sports such as kabaddi, volleyball, and athletics. With a growing interest in sports and a young and talented population, there is huge potential for growth and development in these sports.

The future of sports in India is bright, with a number of initiatives aimed at developing talent and promoting sports at the grassroots level. The Khelo India program, launched by the government of India, aims to identify and nurture young talent in various sports and provide them with the necessary infrastructure and support to achieve their full potential. Private initiatives such as the Reliance Foundation Youth Sports program and the Tata Trusts' U Dream Football program are also making significant contributions to the development of sports in India.

To be honest, the government's attitude toward sports was cautious when players requested facilities and other equipment for their respective sports. However, the government's mindset has changed, and it now spends two to three years trying their best to promote sports in India. When it comes to the facilities provided by the Indian government, the Odisha government is the one that is putting in the most effort for the Indian hockey team and is also sponsoring the team. I don't know how long ago this was, but they have also announced that they will continue sponsoring the Indian hockey team for another ten years. In light of the aforementioned, the future of sports in India is in good hands.