Jammu, April 25 ; Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday asserted that true sporting champions are not born only in elite academies but discovered in small towns and neighbourhoods, as he called for a grassroots-driven transformation to make India a global sporting superpower.
Addressing the three-day national ‘Chintan Shivir’ on Sports here, organised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, LG Sinha said sports must become woven into everyday life — extending beyond competitions to streets, open fields and daily routines.
“True champions rarely emerge solely from elite academies. They are discovered in small towns, neighbourhoods and local clubs, where academies later refine their raw talent,” Sinha told the gathering, which included Sports Ministers from several states, sports administrators, Principal Secretaries, and representatives of National Sports Federations.
The Lt Governor emphasised that nurturing a sports culture must begin in villages and local communities, and called for a major shift in how physical education teachers are perceived in schools.
“Physical education teachers are often undervalued compared to their counterparts in science or mathematics. This mindset must change. Every physical education teacher plays a vital role in India’s journey toward becoming a sporting superpower. They deserve respect, recognition and resources to identify and nurture young talent,” he said.
LG Sinha also urged the corporate sector to step forward as “co-architects” of the national mission, noting that the government alone cannot build a sustainable and inclusive sports ecosystem.
“Infrastructure alone is not enough; it must be aligned with purposeful initiatives. Schools, communities, local administrations and families must collaborate to create ecosystems where every young athlete finds a platform — whether on a running track, football field, basketball court or swimming pool — to discover their potential,” he said.
The Lt Governor further stressed that beyond medals, sports must be harnessed as a force for social transformation. He called for harmonising national vision with local execution, ensuring central schemes reach villages brimming with talent, and establishing unbiased, scientific mechanisms to identify rural youth.
“Best practices from one state must be freely shared and replicated across others. We must bridge the gap between gifted talent and opportunity. Strengthening grassroots sports ecosystems is not merely an aspiration but a duty,” Sinha said.
The Chintan Shivir is focussed on key policy challenges in sports, strengthening Centre-State coordination, and charting a comprehensive roadmap to transform India into a global sporting powerhouse. The event will continue over the next two days. (KNS)
