INDIA'S SPORTS MEDICINE IMPERATIVE

With a burgeoning sports sector and a steep rise in sports activity across the country, India faces a serious shortage of specialized sports medicine centers. A report.

Over the past few decades, India has witnessed an unprecedented growth in sports. From its traditional role as a recreational activity, sports has evolved to become a career choice for many young Indians.

The growing awareness of health and fitness has prompted youngsters to engage in sports. Indian athletes including but not limited to PV Sindhu, Neeraj Chopra, Virat Kohli, Mary Kom, PT Usha, and Sachin Tendulkar, etc, achieving global recognition also inspires young Indians, encouraging them to pursue sports professionally.

The increased opportunities through leagues like the Indian Premier League (IPL), Pro Kabaddi, and Indian Super League (ISL) provide lucrative platforms for grooming and growth of talented young Indian athletes, besides assuring them of financial stability.

Even the government can be seen promoting sports at the grassroots level through initiatives such as Khelo India. Scholarships, coaching camps, and exposure tours encourage young athletes to consider sports as a viable career path. According to GroupM ESP’s 2024 data, the Indian sports industry has grown to ₹15,000 crores in value, growing from ₹2,400 crores in 2008.

A SERIOUS CHALLENGE

However, given their routine on-field and off-field activities—tournaments and training—athletes are susceptible to a wide range of injuries. While there has been tremendous growth in sports, India faces a serious shortage of dedicated sports medicine facilities. Existing hospitals and PHCs often lack departments dedicated to treatment of sports injuries, leading to generic treatments.