India and BRICS

India is one of the emerging economies of the world. India along with Brazil, Russia, China and South Africa is known as BRICS.

Currently, the 5 BRICS countries represent 3 billion people and has an estimated US$4 trillion in foreign reserves.

India holds the chair of the BRICS group.

All five BRICS countries participated in the London 2012 Olympics.

BRICS - Performance at Olympics 2012

Venue / Year Total Medals

Rank

Paris / 1900 02 17

Antwerp (1920) / Paris (1924)

00 -

Amsterdam / 1928

01 23

Los Angeles / 1932

01 19

Berlin / 1936 01 20

London / 1948 01 22

Helsinki / 1952 02 26

Melbourne / 1956

01 24

Rome / 1960 01 32

Tokyo / 1964 01 24

Mexico City / 1968

01 42

Venue / Year Total Medals

Rank

Munich / 1972 01 43

Montreal / 1976

00 -

Moscow / 1980 01 23

Los Angeles / 1984

00 -

Seoul / 1988 00 -

Barcelona / 1992

00 -

Atlanta / 1996 01 71

Sydney / 2000 01 71

Athens / 2004 01 65

Beijing / 2008 03 50

London / 2012 06 55

Total Medals won by India in 22 Olympics is 26.

India has won 11 medals (8 gold, 1 silver, 2 bronze) in field hockey.

India won its first medal in badminton in London 2012.

India’s Performance in Olympics

• Sports Budget in 2009 - Rs 3,670.13 crore• Sports budget in 2010 - Rs 3315.67 crores• Sports budget in 2011 - Rs 1121 crores revised to Rs 990

crores• Sports Budget in 2012 - Rs 1152 crore

As compared to 2009 the allocated sports budget has decreased by more than 50%.

Sports Budget in India

Sports Budget 2012 - BreakupAmount (Rs) (in Crores) Earmarked for

Rs 721.98 crore Sports and games

Rs 430.02 crore Youth Welfare Schemes

Amount (Rs) (in Crores) Earmarked forRs 105 crore Schemes for the Benefit of North Eastern India and Sikkim

Rs 258 crore Sports Authority of India

Rs 110 crore National Sports Federations

Rs 4 crore Anti-Doping Activities

Rs 7 crore Incentive to Sportspersons

Rs 215 crore Panchayat Yuva Krida aur Khel Abhiyan (PYKKA)

Rs 14.5 crore Urban Sports Infrastructure Scheme

Rs 5 crore National Sports Development Fund

Budget : Sub Categories

• There are very few government aided sports academies in India, let alone sports training facility and infrastructure. Training facilities and trainers are a necessity in sports like boxing, wrestling, archery, water polo, swimming, shooting, basketball, volleyball, gymnastics, and badminton.

• Of the six medalists in 2012 Olympics, four were funded by Olympic Gold Quest (OGQ), a foundation supporting India’s top athletes. (OGQ has been founded by Geet Sethi and Prakash Padukone)

• Bronze medal wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt was funded by Mittal Champions Trust (MCT). (MCT has been founded by Lakshmi Mittal , chairman of ArcelorMittal)

• In spite of a Rs. 1000+ crores budget, there are several instances where players or athletes have paid for travel, accommodation, and equipment from their pocket.

• Neither can everyone can afford the fee of joining private sports institutions; nor can everyone qualify for scholarships.

• There is no accountability for the funds allotted during the sports budget.

More Hard Facts!

Training Infrastructure

The two most important “problem areas” are the lack of trainers and training facilities.

Photo Courtesy: ANI, Reuters

Funding of Sports Projects

In spite of the allocated Budget for sports, several projects in India have either not started, or are

still on paper, or are in the news as scams.

Funds crunch?

The situation of "Lack of funds" has led to shameful events like the

Shuttler’s Tale.

Here’s a snapshot from a report by Planning Commission of India :

The 3 PossibilitiesManage and upgrade the existing infrastructure and create new and state-of-the-art training infrastructure.

Partnership with the corporate and other organizations to create sport centers.

Defined and detailed Talent Search programs for finding youth talents across India and providing them with the training and platform to perform.

Sports Incentives

Currently sports incentives are available for athletes performing mostly at the International Level. There is a need to implement all existing incentive schemes and create new ones.

There is disparity in incentives in different sports in India. The biggest difference lies between cricket and all other sports in India (including Hockey and Soccer).This burning issue needs to be addressed in order to enhance better performance in the near future.

Disparity

Start Afresh!It is time to start afresh. It is time to re-strategize as well as

implement existing strategies. It is time to address the various sports issues including fund problems, partnership programs, grants and scholarships etc.

It is time to start preparing for Rio 2016 with commitment and dedication!

It is time for India to shine on the world stage!