New Delhi, 16 March (H.S.): Indian Olympic Association President PT Usha urged fortifying athlete-first governance in Indian sports, insisting the ecosystem's trajectory hinges on policies centering players in decision-making processes.

Addressing the third day of the Sports Journalists Federation of India (SJFI) golden jubilee national conference at India Habitat Centre—hosted by the Delhi Sports Journalists Association—Usha declared athletes' preparation, welfare, and development as paramount priorities for administrators and federations. Athlete-first governance must guide the future of Indian sports, she emphasized.

Highlighting India's pivotal sporting juncture, Usha credited enhanced infrastructure, scientific training, and institutional support for athletes' confident global showings over the past decade. She stressed grassroots vitality: India's true sporting strength lies at the ground level—in villages, towns, and schools where budding talents await discovery.

Continuous investment in coaching, facilities, and talent identification will enable India to produce world-class athletes consistently.Praising sports journalism's pivotal role, Usha noted journalists illuminate not just results but athletes' struggles, emotions, and triumphs, fostering responsible reporting to build robust foundations. IOA CEO Raghuram Iyer, in a panel discussion, affirmed India stands at a decisive turning point with surging ambitions, investments, and participation steering it toward major sports power status.

Iyer advocated a community-driven ecosystem to sustain progress, channeling top talents to elite levels, and eyed hosting global spectacles like the 2030 Commonwealth Games alongside bids for 2036 Olympics to bolster infrastructure and India's international sporting identity.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar