Sansad Khel Mahakumbh 2022-23

Sansad Khel Mahakumbh 2022-23

• The Prime Minister of India recently inaugurated the 2nd phase of Saansad Khel Mahakumbh 2022-23 (18-28 Jan), organised in Basti (UP). The first phase was organised from 10-16 Dec 2022.
• The Khel Mahakumbh features both indoor and outdoor sporting events, such as chess, carrom, badminton, table tennis, wrestling, kabaddi, football, hockey, volleyball, handball, and more.
• The Khel Mahakumbh also hosts a number of other competitions, such as those for painting, rangoli making, and essay writing.

Significance of the event:

• Such events will give India's longstanding sporting supremacy a new lease on life.
• Over 200 Members of Parliament have set up similar Khel Mahakumbhs in their districts.
• The Khel Mahakumbh is a creative idea that offers a chance and a stage for the sporting ability to be showcased and inspires people to pursue sport as a vocation.
• The Sports Authority of India is selecting talented athletes from these competitions for additional training.

Challenges & Problems of Sports in India:

Administrative Issues:

• The administration of different sports associations is not governed by a single code, regulation, piece of legislation, or statute (including elections, funding, scheduling, events, requirements, and time limits).

Infrastructure Deficit:

• The absence of a hierarchy of sports from the local level to the national level is another significant problem with Indian sports. Before elevating the finest athletes to the state and federal levels, there is no effective mechanism in place to nurture talent at the school, block, and district levels.

Gender prejudice:

• Gender inequality is a problem in sports as well, with women having a hard time competing at the highest levels of Indian sports. Sports in India are predominantly dominated by men since women are believed to be "too rough" to participate in them.

Insufficient compensation and job security:

• Human nature naturally gravitates toward greatness and perfection, which is why sports exist. However, in India, the sports industry is not regarded as a viable career path due to the lack of financial reward and job security for athletes. Parents are reluctant to let their children pursue it as a career as a result, placing more value on academic achievement.

Mismanagement of Sports Authorities and Corruption:

• In India, corruption has come to be associated with sports administration.

• Whether it is the country's most popular sport, hockey, or weightlifting, the majority of the sports governing bodies in India have come under fire due to allegations of corruption.
• Additionally, the controversy surrounding the 2010 Commonwealth Games and the long-term political involvement in the management of sports organisations have damaged the reputation of sports administrators in India.

Use of Performance Enhancing Substances:

• The use of PEDs continues to be a serious issue in the sports industry. When it comes to violations of anti-doping rules or adverse analytical findings reported to the World Anti-Doping Agency, India comes out on top.

• Despite the establishment of the National Anti Doping Agency in the nation, this issue still needs to be successfully addressed.

Conclusion:

• There are many untapped potentials in Indian sports that haven't yet been realized. However, now is the ideal time to reconfirm our commitment, alter the way we view sports, and transform India's sports landscape.
• India's dream of becoming a global force won't be realized until we establish ourselves as a sports giant.
• Sports must serve as a lighthouse if India is to become a prosperous, glittering valley for the rest of the world.
• Equal Push for All Sports: It is past time for the public and private sectors to work together to improve the state of Indian sport from its current appalling predicament.
• A good move in this manner would be to extend the Justice Lodha Committee's recommendations about the BCCI to all other sports organisations.
• Promoting Gender Equality: It's important to dispel the myths that continue to discourage women from participating in sports. Additionally, it entails advocating for women's progress as leaders and professional players in the sports industry.
• Additionally, there is a need to create equal economic possibilities for women and girls and close the investment gap in women's sport. The Gender Pay Parity programme of the BCCI is a positive start in this direction.