Olympits- Why India's Performance In Rio Below Par?

A parliamentary standing committee report says India spends about 3 paise per capita on sports every day. At a government sports complex in Delhi, there was a tunnel underneath the track, about to collapse. From funds to facilities and training to scouting, how can India improve its sporting system?

- Anirudh Madhavan

As of August 17, the closest India got to a podium in Rio was when Nita Ambani, a member of the International Olympic Committee, gave out medals to the winners of the women's 400m freestyle event.

However, India did make a splash. Specifically, Sports Minister Vijay Goel, who almost lost his accreditation because he and his posse tried to enter areas that were out of bounds.

In competition, gymnast Dipa Karmakar came agonisingly close to winning the bronze medal in women's vault. She finished fourth; a phenomenal feat, nonetheless. In badminton, P.V. Sindhu reached the semifinals. She took over the crusade from teammate Saina Nehwal, who was knocked out in the group stage. Steeplechaser Lalita Babar became the first women after P.T. Usha, in 1984, to enter the final of a track event. Sania Mirza and Rohan Bopanna reached the semis, while Abhinav Bindra finished fourth in the 10m air rifle event.

A few glimpses of individual brilliance aside, India's performance has not been commensurate with its size and power. This statement, with minor alterations, is repeated once every four years. It's a quadrennial quandary that baffles athletes as well as analysts.

So, what is India doing wrong? A recent report by the parliamentary standing committee on human resource development, presented in the Rajya Sabha on August 9, gives a clear picture.

FUNDING: NOTES, THE POINT

The report said that the Central and state governments together spend about 3 paise per capita, per day, on sports. The US spends 022 and the UK, 050 paise.