Sports in India – A historical perspective
If one goes by India’s medal tally in Rio Olympics – one silver and one bronze, it draws a bleak picture for a nation that sports 18% of world’s population of which nearly 50% are youth below 25 years of age. Olympics medal, though honor boosting, is not the last word in the sports. True portrait of a sporting nation cannot be painted only with the brushes of winning or losing at big events.
India’s sporting history is dotted with numerous stars who have raised the esteem of the nation in the international arena. Dhyan Chand, for instance, was the key player to win three gold tai app 78win medals for Indian hockey in consecutive 1928, ’32, ’36 Olympics.
Beyond Olympics
Beyond Olympics, India has age-old tradition of fitness, which is a key aspect of any sport. Yoga and combative art such as archery, shooting, fencing, wrestling, equestrian etc. have been practiced for pre-historic times enjoying a legacy dating back to 4000 years before Christ. Yoga, whose head-spring is India, and which is an effective way to discipline mind, soul and body, has gained currency world over. In the nutshell, India is a nation where zest for fitness and sports have thrived through centuries.
A period of indifference towards sports
In the first half of the 20th century, the nation was preoccupied with the independence movement and, post-independence, the nation building was the main goal. Hence the kind of motivation and thrust needed to promote sports and fitness were few while sporting feats were sporadic.