Review of Physical Education and Sports Policies in India

Abstract

We as a nation while gracefully carrying forward our legacy and heritage as one of the oldest civilizations of the world have always had highly evolved system of yoga and a vast range of highly developed indigenous games including Martial arts. Not only indigenous games, most of the sports of the modern day bloomed and flourished on Indian lands. Despite our own rich sporting Heritage and a large population, in the sporting arena at the international level we have been not able to achieve appropriately. Reasons for this limited glory might be attributed to the long period of subjugation of native Indians first by Mughals followed by Britishers. However we actually started to create a positive sports ecosystem after independence with the establishment of AICS (All India Council of Sports) in 1954. Aim of this article is to delve into our efforts to consider sports in India on the serious note. We will try to explore the policies, prospects and challenges regarding Physical education & sports policies, sports participation and excellence in sports across the nation. Following is an effort to establish the importance of a sound physical education and sports system in the country and highlight the state led endeavours towards creating a positive sports culture in the country. Herein the author tries to review various physical education and sports policies in India after independence with the help of available literature in various related govt. sites and books and discus their impact on the general masses.