Kamesh Gareri Appreciates Government’s Sports Initiatives, Calls for Global Best Practices in India

New Delhi [India], September 12:  Former Senior National Coach Kamesh Gareri has welcomed the Government of India’s recent push to upgrade sports infrastructure and expand opportunities for athletes through programmes such as Khelo India, Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), and Fit India Movement.

Speaking to the media, Gareri said,

“These initiatives are not just schemes — they are laying the foundation for India’s sporting future. By investing in grassroots, elite athlete support, and school fitness culture, the government is sending a clear message that sports are central to nation-building.”

Learning from Global Success Models

Gareri, however, stressed that India can go further by learning from global success models:

United Kingdom (UK): Community Sports Clubs

The UK’s Sport England funds thousands of local clubs and grassroots programmes, making sports accessible in every town. Football academies are often attached to clubs, creating a clear pipeline.

Adoption for India: Build strong district and community sports clubs to nurture talent locally before expecting them to shine nationally.

Germany: Sports Science and Coaching Education

Germany invests heavily in Olympic Training Centres with biomechanics labs, nutritionists, and mental conditioning experts. The DFB Academy for football is considered a global model of structured coach education.

Adoption for India: Establish regional sports science hubs and mandatory coach certification linked to performance metrics.

Japan: School Sports and Discipline

In Japan, nearly every school has daily bukatsu (club activities), where students practice sports systematically under teacher-coaches. Beyond skills, the emphasis is on teamwork, respect, and discipline.

Adoption for India: Integrate 90–120 minutes of structured sports daily into school schedules, with trained PE teachers guiding both fitness and values.

Australia: Talent Identification Pathways

The Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) scouts children as young as 10–12 and provides them with long-term athlete development programs. Olympic medalists like Cathy Freeman and Ian Thorpe came through this system.

Adoption for India: Launch a National Talent ID Program with testing in every district and a 10-year development plan for each athlete. 

United States: College Sports Ecosystem

US universities run the NCAA system, where athletes compete at a professional level while earning degrees. College football and basketball not only produce athletes but also generate billions in revenue.

Adoption for India: Develop a University Sports League, giving athletes a dual track — education + competitive sport — reducing dropout from sports due to academic pressure.

Conclusion

Gareri concluded:

“If India combines its passion and numbers with global best practices, we won’t just win medals — we will create a nation where every child grows stronger in body, mind, and spirit through sports.”