India is one of the emerging BRICS economies along with Brazil, Russia, China, and South Africa. Together the BRICS countries represent over 3 billion people and $4 trillion in foreign reserves. However, India's sports budget has decreased over 50% from 2009 levels, currently allocating only $1.15 billion in 2012. There is a lack of training facilities and infrastructure in India to develop athletes despite the large sports budget. Private organizations have had to fund many of India's Olympic medalists due to the lack of support from the government. Improving funding, facilities, and incentives is needed to enhance India's athletic performance going forward.

2. India and BRICS
India is one of the emerging economies of the world. India along with
Brazil, Russia, China and South Africa is known as BRICS.
Currently, the 5 BRICS countries represent 3 billion people and has an
estimated US$4 trillion in foreign reserves.
India holds the chair of the BRICS group.
All five BRICS countries participated in the London 2012 Olympics.

3. BRICS - Performance at Olympics 2012

4. India’s Performance in Olympics
Venue / Year Total Rank Venue / Year Total Rank
Medals Medals
Total Medals won by
Paris / 1900 02 17 Munich / 1972 01 43 India in 22 Olympics
Antwerp 00 - Montreal / 00 - is 26.
(1920) / Paris 1976
(1924)
Amsterdam / 01 23 Moscow / 1980 01 23 India has won 11
1928
medals (8 gold, 1
Los Angeles / 01 19 Los Angeles / 00 -
1932 1984 silver, 2 bronze) in
Berlin / 1936 01 20 Seoul / 1988 00 - field hockey.
London / 1948 01 22
Barcelona / 00 -
1992 India won its first
Helsinki / 1952 02 26
Atlanta / 1996 01 71 medal in badminton
Melbourne / 01 24
Sydney / 2000 01 71
in London 2012.
1956
Rome / 1960 01 32
Athens / 2004 01 65
Tokyo / 1964 01 24
Beijing / 2008 03 50
Mexico City / 01 42
1968 London / 2012 06 55

5. Sports Budget in India
• Sports Budget in 2009 - Rs 3,670.13 crore
• Sports budget in 2010 - Rs 3315.67 crores
• Sports budget in 2011 - Rs 1121 crores revised to Rs 990
crores
• Sports Budget in 2012 - Rs 1152 crore
As compared to 2009 the allocated
sports budget has decreased by
more than 50%.

6. Sports Budget 2012 - Breakup
Amount (Rs) (in Crores) Earmarked for
Rs 721.98 crore Sports and games
Rs 430.02 crore Youth Welfare Schemes
Budget : Sub Categories
Amount (Rs) (in Crores) Earmarked for
Rs 105 crore Schemes for the Benefit of North Eastern India and Sikkim
Rs 258 crore Sports Authority of India
Rs 110 crore National Sports Federations
Rs 4 crore Anti-Doping Activities
Rs 7 crore Incentive to Sportspersons
Rs 215 crore Panchayat Yuva Krida aur Khel Abhiyan (PYKKA)
Rs 14.5 crore Urban Sports Infrastructure Scheme
Rs 5 crore National Sports Development Fund

7. More Hard Facts!
• There are very few government aided sports academies in India, let alone sports training
facility and infrastructure. Training facilities and trainers are a necessity in sports like
boxing, wrestling, archery, water polo, swimming, shooting, basketball, volleyball,
gymnastics, and badminton.
• Of the six medalists in 2012 Olympics, four were funded by Olympic Gold Quest (OGQ), a
foundation supporting India’s top athletes. (OGQ has been founded by Geet Sethi and
Prakash Padukone)
• Bronze medal wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt was funded by Mittal Champions Trust (MCT). (MCT
has been founded by Lakshmi Mittal , chairman of ArcelorMittal)
• In spite of a Rs. 1000+ crores budget, there are several instances where players or athletes
have paid for travel, accommodation, and equipment from their pocket.
• Neither can everyone can afford the fee of joining private sports institutions; nor can
everyone qualify for scholarships.
• There is no accountability for the funds allotted during the sports budget.

8. Training Infrastructure
The two most important “problem areas” are
the lack of trainers and training facilities.
Photo Courtesy: ANI, Reuters

9. Funding of Sports Projects
In spite of the allocated Budget for sports, several
projects in India have either not started, or are
still on paper, or are in the news as scams.

10. Funds crunch?
The situation of "Lack of funds" has
led to shameful events like the
Shuttler’s Tale.
Here’s a snapshot from a report by
Planning Commission of India :

11. The 3 Possibilities
Manage and upgrade
the existing
infrastructure and
create new and
state-of-the-art
training infrastructure.
Partnership with the
corporate and other
organizations to
create sport centers.
Defined and detailed
Talent Search
programs for finding
youth talents across
India and providing
them with the training
and platform to
perform.

12. Sports Incentives
Currently sports incentives are available for athletes performing mostly at the
International Level. There is a need to implement all existing incentive schemes
and create new ones.

13. Disparity
There is disparity in incentives in different sports in India. The biggest difference
lies between cricket and all other sports in India (including Hockey and Soccer).
This burning issue needs to be addressed in order to enhance better performance
in the near future.

14. Start Afresh!
It is time to start afresh. It is time to re-strategize as well
as implement existing strategies. It is time to address
the various sports issues including fund problems,
partnership programs, grants and scholarships etc.
It is time to start preparing for Rio 2016 with
commitment and dedication!
It is time for India to shine on the world stage!