True Champions Emerge from Small Towns, Says LG Sinha

BuzzBytes News Desk | Srinagar | Apr 25
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday stressed that India’s real sporting talent lies beyond elite academies, asserting that “true champions are discovered in small towns” and must be nurtured through strong grassroots systems.
Addressing the national ‘Chintan Shivir’ on sports in Srinagar, Sinha said the three-day event, organised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, aims to tackle policy challenges, strengthen Centre-State coordination and chart a roadmap to transform India into a global sporting powerhouse.
The event brought together sports ministers from various states, senior administrators, principal secretaries and representatives of national sports federations.
Highlighting the need to embed sports into everyday life, the Lieutenant Governor said athletic activity must extend beyond stadiums and competitions to neighbourhoods, streets and open spaces. “Sports should become part of daily routines, not just an occasional pursuit,” he said.
He also called for a shift in mindset towards physical education in schools, urging authorities to empower and recognise physical education teachers. “They are often undervalued compared to teachers of other subjects. This must change. They play a crucial role in identifying and nurturing talent at an early stage,” Sinha said.
Emphasising that infrastructure alone is insufficient, he said it must be supported by meaningful initiatives and collaboration among schools, communities, families and local administrations to create a thriving sports ecosystem.
“Every young athlete must find a platform—whether on a field, track, court or pool—to discover their potential,” he said.
The Lieutenant Governor underlined the importance of bridging the gap between talent and opportunity, especially in rural areas, through scientific and unbiased talent identification systems. He added that sports infrastructure must be utilised efficiently to maximise impact.
Calling for a unified national approach, Sinha said best practices from different states should be shared and replicated to strengthen the overall sporting framework.
He also urged the corporate sector to play a more active role, saying government efforts alone are not sufficient. “Corporates must come forward not just as sponsors but as partners in building a sustainable and inclusive sports ecosystem,” he said.
Reiterating India’s vast pool of untapped talent, Sinha called on sports councils, federations, administrators and industry leaders to work together in creating a strategic roadmap aligned with international sporting events.
“Strengthening grassroots sports is not just an aspiration—it is our collective responsibility,” he said.