TOI Dialogues Varanasi | ‘India & UP have come a long way in sports’

Till around a decade ago, most of the children were chided by their elders with the oft-repeated line – ‘Padhoge likhoge banoge nawab, kheloge kudoge banoge kharab (Education, and not sports, will provide you with the means of living)’ – but no more.
With central govt schemes like ‘Khelo India’ and ‘Fit India’ which help in identifying talent from remote areas of the country, this notion is losing ground.
“India and Uttar Pradesh have come a long way as govts are investing heavily in sports-oriented schemes. When the PM engages with sportspersons, irrespective of whether they win or lose in national/international events, it inspires the entire nation. When the UP chief minister honours players, it sends out a positive message,” said ace wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt during a session titled ‘Sporting Spirit: Advancing Athletic aspirations in Varanasi’ in TOI Dialogues.
Rahul Chaudhari, a prominent name in Indian kabaddi, stressed on the need for more coaches, training centres, and stadiums. “Homegrown games like kabaddi, kho-kho, and wrestling are no longer rural sports. They have now reached metropolitan stadiums. Leagues like the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) bring recognition and good money. We now need state-of-the-art facilities and international exposure,” said Chaudhari, who comes from UP’s Bijnor district. Former hockey player Sardar Singh said, “Professional coaches and proper equipment is the need of the hour. In games like hockey, every second counts and players must come out of their comfort zone for a good show. It’s high time we focused on sub-junior and junior teams so that we have abundance of talent on the ground. Leagues and initiatives like ‘Khelo India’ must continue to help athletes showcase their skills.”
A UFC Fighter and first from India to win mixed martial arts (MMA), Puja ‘Cyclone’ Tomar, emphasised that govt and the society should open doors for girls. “Hamari chhoriyan chhoron se kam nahi balki zyada hai (Girls are not less, in fact, much ahead than boys). UP’s face is changing. When girls are allowed to come out of their houses, they return as champions,” she said.
Born in Budhana village in UP’s Muzaffarnagar, Tomar, a national wushu champion, faced severe opposition from her conservative family. “A pall of gloom descended on my house when I was born. My father said, ‘ek aur ladki ho gayi’ (There is one more girl). The aggression to give a befitting reply to the society kept me moving. To bring more girls into self-defence, we urgently need training centres because MMA is about ‘maarna’ (strike) and ‘maar khaana’ (getting beaten),” Tomar said.
Thanking fans, Dutt earlier said, “In Haryana, wrestling is a family game. Parents wake up before their children to prepare them as champions. We need a similar ‘junoon’ (passion) in UP to churn out sportspersons because games help an individual deal with everyday life.”