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India's Olympic aspirations took a hit at the Paris Games, falling short of expectations and raising questions about the state of Indian sport. While funding and infrastructure have improved, concerns have emerged regarding athlete commitment and the effectiveness of sports governance.Post-Paris reviews have shifted the focus from blaming the government to scrutinizing the athletes themselves. Prakash Padukone's call for introspection has sparked a debate about the responsibility of athletes to deliver results.However, it's important to note that funding is not the sole determinant of success. Ukraine and Israel, with limited resources, have achieved significant medal hauls. England's impressive performance highlights the need for India to reassess its sports strategy.Reforms are necessary to improve sports governance and create an ecosystem that fosters excellence. A National Sports Board, consisting of experts and independent directors, could provide vision and policy guidance.TOPS, the flagship program for elite athletes, should be upgraded and granted administrative independence to enhance efficiency and athlete support.Addressing the unprofessionalism and incompetence of National Sports Federations (NSFs) remains a challenge. Implementing the Sports Code could improve accountability, but its realization seems distant.Despite the setbacks, there are positive signs. Sports has gained prominence, and parents and industry are investing in athletes. However, it's crucial to manage expectations and avoid unrealistic hype.Ultimately, the success of Indian sport depends on the hard work and dedication of athletes. However, a supportive ecosystem and effective governance are essential to unlock their potential and achieve Olympic glory.

Neeraj Chopra, India's javelin star, has won a silver medal at the Paris Olympics, adding to his gold from the previous Games. However, despite his historic achievement, Chopra is more concerned about a persistent groin injury that has been hindering his performance.Chopra's gold-silver double at the Olympics is unprecedented in Indian sport, but he believes he has more to give. The groin issue has been a nagging problem for several years, preventing him from delivering bigger throws. Gold medallist Arshad Nadeem of Pakistan rewrote the Olympic record with a throw of 92.97m, highlighting the need for Chopra to address his injury.Chopra plans to consult doctors to explore surgical options. "I am pushing myself despite the current situation of my body," he said. "But there's still a lot inside me, and I have to keep myself fit for it."The injury has affected Chopra's schedule this year, forcing him to miss several meets leading up to the Games. He also withdrew from the 2022 Commonwealth Games due to the issue.Chopra explained that the injury forces him to focus on his body rather than his technique. "I already threw 89.94m with this injury," he said. "But when I throw, I always focus almost 50 percent on my injury. We have to focus mostly on technique, but it's really hard for me with this injury."Despite his injury, Chopra is optimistic about his future. "Medals are a different thing," he said. "But there's a better throw left in me. There's a lot left in me, we will do it for sure."Chopra praised Nadeem for his performance, acknowledging the challenges of managing injuries in the sport. "Arshad did so well," he said. "If he can avoid injuries, his throws will only get better."

Pro Kabaddi League Season 11 Player Auction Set for August 15-16As the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) gears up for its 10th anniversary on July 26, Mashal Sports has announced the PKL Season 11 Player Auction, scheduled for August 15 and 16 in Mumbai. The league's journey began a decade ago with a thrilling match between U Mumba and the Jaipur Pink Panthers in Mumbai.After successfully concluding its tenth season from December 2, 2023 to March 1, 2024, the PKL has become the second sporting league in India to complete 10 seasons. Ahead of Season 11, Mashal Sports has unveiled a new logo featuring the colors of saffron and green, similar to the Indian tri-color, symbolizing kabaddi as the country's proud sport.Anupam Goswami, League Commissioner of the PKL, expressed his delight at announcing the player auction for Season XI on August 15. He emphasized the importance of kabaddi as India's unique and popular sport for centuries, showcased as a world-class competitive discipline at the PKL."This is a great achievement for all the stakeholders of Pro Kabaddi as well as the Kabaddi ecosystem of the country under the custodianship of AKFI," Goswami said. "We will strongly celebrate this achievement with patriotic fervor at the Season XI Player Auction."The PKL has played a pivotal role in popularizing kabaddi in India and around the world. The league has attracted top players from across the country and has helped to develop young talent. The upcoming player auction is expected to be highly competitive, with teams looking to strengthen their squads for the upcoming season.

The Indian sporting landscape is witnessing a growing trend of elite athletes opting for personalized training under personal coaches, breaking away from the traditional national set-up. This shift is evident across various sports, including shooting, wrestling, athletics, table tennis, badminton, and boxing.Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra, double Olympic medalist PV Sindhu, and world championship medalist Vinesh Phogat are among the prominent athletes who have embraced this approach. With government and sponsors providing financial support, more athletes are hiring personal trainers and physiotherapists to tailor their training programs.Dronacharya awardee badminton coach Vimal Kumar believes this shift is a sign of Indian sport's growth. However, he emphasizes that top athletes should invest their own resources in support staff rather than relying on government funds.In shooting, the trend has been particularly noticeable. The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) has allowed personal coaches to accompany their trainees at camps ahead of the Olympics. Former shooting international Deepali Deshpande, who has worked with both national and personal coaches, highlights the importance of providing support for athletes who may not make the national team.Wrestling has also seen a shift towards personalized training, with elite wrestlers opting to train at their academies in the absence of national camps. Star wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia have achieved success with personal coaches since 2018, inspiring others to follow suit.In table tennis, the friction between personal and national coaches flared up at the Tokyo Games. However, Italian coach Massimo Costantini has been roped in ahead of the Paris Olympics and has welcomed the presence of personal coaches.Badminton shuttlers, including Chirag Shetty-Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, PV Sindhu, and Lakshya Sen, are also working under personalized training plans.While personal coaches provide individualized attention and tailored training programs, national coaches play a crucial role in preparing athletes for team events and providing guidance during competitions. The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has identified "medal hopefuls" who will be allowed to bring personal coaches and support staff to the Paris Olympics, subject to availability of slots.