APM Welcome, APM North West Network Conference, Synergies Across Sectors
Sports Hub - a Mantra for development of Sporting Infrastructure in the country.
1. Redefining Indian Sports by Creation of Sports Hubs
A Techno Economic Corridor for development of Sports and Sporting Infrastructure
The history of sports in India is very ancient and dates
back to the Vedic era. It is more likely that many of
today's Olympic disciplines are advanced versions of
games of strength and speed that flourished in ancient
India. Chess, wrestling, polo, archery and hockey
(possibly a fall‐out from polo) are some of the games
believed to have originated in India. India has a
population for more than 1.2 billion and ranked 2nd after
china in terms of population but yet India could only
produce handful sports personnel and credits. A small
country like Holland has over 200 astro turfs, “but in
India we have just 15.
Think 'infrastructure' and it conjures up images of
economic endeavors like bridges, roads and ports.
However, in all serious discussions on infrastructure
there is one glaring omission: sports infrastructure. It is a
component that contributes to the economy as much as
some of the other infrastructure projects, with the entire attendant attributes ‐ employment, supply‐
chain impacts, long‐term sustainability,
indirect benefits and so on. There is no Highlights on Sporting facilities in India
doubt that there is abundance of talent and
potential yet there are various reasons why • Budget for Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports –
Indians are unable to succeed in any sport INR 1,152 crores.
other than cricket. From stadiums to sports • More than 128,000 stadiums in India.
equipment, the supply is less than the • There are only 54 recognised National Sports
demand with very few centres having the Federations including Olympic federation.
modern and the latest paraphernalia. The • The Formula One racing championship saw an
inflow of US$ 100 mn ( INR 555 Crores) into the
British economy is already benefiting from
Indian economy through the travel and
the huge volume of construction work that hospitality industries why do we lack more
has been undertaken till date to build facilities and infrastructure.
stadiums and residential quarters. Besides,
the Games have a direct and visible impact
on tourism. Studies on the economic impact
of the Games between July 2005 and July
2. 2017 reveal that the 2012 Games will contribute £16.5 billion (app.INR 1,45,000 crores) to UK GDP
spread over 12 years.
However the situation may seem, there are still remedies that can be employed to change the scenario
for the better. Better facilities, better equipment, better funds will come about with a better attitude.
We need to have a holistic approach towards sports development taking into account the health,
recreational, social and economic benefits. Secured Governance is an ideal choice which equips to
create adequate and coordinated measures to ensure the provision of financial, human, technical,
information and other capacity building resources. The London Olympics too have demonstrated how
sports infrastructure benefits the economy.
An IPL for Every Sport!
The Indian Premier League has been a smashing success ever
since its inception in 2008. It has given life and livelihood to all • India's cricket board claims it's on
those cricketers who are either retired and or not lucky in track to becoming the richest
sporting body in the world with
playing for their countries long time. Not only Indian
income of income by eight times to
cricketers but also players from overseas are hugely benefited about $1.5 billion (approx INR
from the IPL. Corporate India which has pumped in big 8,300 crores)
investment in IPL should come forward to the rescue of other • The Indian Premier League, directly
sports in India. This will make the Indians to do well in other and indirectly generated
sports also. Talent is aplenty in India. With proper support employment for more than 15000
from Indian companies, our players and athletes can people.
• Business Standard reports that IP
concentrate on their particular sport and excel in it. The need
has got another Rs 2,000 crore
of the hour is to create an IPL for hockey, football, tennis, ($450 million) from the sale of
badminton, and other games. India will then become a multi‐ rights, including hotel, travel and
sport nation producing winners in many games who bring ground sponsorship.
laurels to the country. An IPL for other sports will again go a
long way in securing the lives of many talented sportspersons
both active and retired. It again generates job opportunities for thousands directly and indirectly.In
short, we need an IPL in every sport to promote all those involved and contributed. Talent should not be
allowed to go waste. This is what IPL has done to cricketers. This is what we should do to many who are
talented in their fields.
Secured Governance Hubs for Sports
Secured Governance for Sports as a Sector is a strategy that relates to the develop a relationship
between development of sports facilities and infrastructures to various other sectors developing
together along with various institutions as partners and Government as governing body to foster,
coordinate and create an defined “ Sports Hub” along various strategic locations in the country. Sports
Hubs will be developed as cluster/s on strategically defined locations that improves and develops the
3. cluster as a whole through regional strategies, technology and interdependency among various sectors
of growth.
Sports hub will be incorporate various components
required to create an world class facility at the same “Secured Governance is the process to develop
time promotes not only sportsmen in various forms a techno Economic corridor which will Act as
but also direct agents coaches, Trainers, sports growth centre for individual sector with all
equipment manufacturers etc and indirect agents other sectors playing supporting role for
such as component manufacturers used in making development and nation building process.”The
sports equipments and field staffs etc.The sports very concept of “Secured’’ here implies a
hub will regenerate a region and will incorporate a secured convergence or meeting with various
new stadiums, new multi‐purpose indoor arena, sectors defining a growth for an economy.
new aquatic centre and supporting leisure /
commercial developments including visitor attraction, health and fitness facility, specialist retail,
serviced apartments etc.
The sports hub will form the major element of a new sports city, which will be the focus for sporting and
lifestyle activities in Singapore in the future
Development of a defined Secured Governance Sports Hub will also shoulder development of a secured
township along the structures or nearby in defined intervals divided in various clusters which includes
infrastructures such as Residential complexes, Official and Industrial Facilities ,Power and Water,
Banking ,Educational Institutes, Transport facilities and infrastructures , Healthcare, Hospitality Sectors,
Retail Market, and many more). This development not only promotes the facilities but also makes these
projects self‐sustaining and as we discussed earlier creates a holistic approach towards sports
development taking into account the health, recreational, social and economic benefits.
With secured governance for sports, better funds, better infrastructure, better facilities, better
equipment, better coaches will come about . They will all help ushering in a better attitude making India
a truly sporting nation. Corporate India and NGOs will come forward in getting more funds. Despite the
government’s efforts of creating various schemes to promote sport facilities, doubts over the long‐term
financial viability of such assets in the absence of grants or from not‐for‐profit bodies still persist. While
the government’s role in nurturing sportspersons and attract investment cannot be understated, it is
equally important to underscore the role of the private sector in bridging the gap. If India has to
promote private investment to create world‐class sports infrastructure, due importance must be given
to return on investment.
Secured governance for Sports has major characteristics like participation, rule of law, transparency, and
responsiveness, at each stage of its operations and in developing a robust education system in the
country. With improved resource allocation, enhanced governance, Interdependency among sectors and
transparency in the system going hand in hand with development and effective use of Information
Technology and Innovation can deliver a safer, cleaner and more accountable delivery of self sustaining
Education infrastructure and services.