·The Hindu·15 marks·250–350 words

India's sporting excellence often emerges from regional ecosystems rather than uniform national capacity. Discuss with suitable examples.

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In this answer
  1. How regional ecosystems create excellence
  2. Limits of relying on regional ecosystems
  3. Linking regional and national capacity

Sport is on the State List (Entry 33, List II) [2], so sporting capacity has grown unevenly across India. India got its 100th chess Grandmaster (GM) in November 2026, but Tamil Nadu alone has 38 of the 100 [1]. This shows that excellence gathers where strong local ecosystems exist. National platforms are now helping to spread it more widely.

How regional ecosystems create excellence

  • Role models start pipelines: Viswanathan Anand became India's first GM in 1988. His success seeded Tamil Nadu's chess legacy, and Chennai remains the game's hub [1].
  • Talent clusters in a few places: Tamil Nadu (38), Maharashtra (14), West Bengal (12), Delhi (8) and Andhra Pradesh (7) together hold 79 of 100 GMs [1].
  • States build sport-specific cultures: At the Khelo India Youth Games 2019, Haryana won 42 of its 62 golds in wrestling and boxing alone [3].
  • State choices shape outcomes: Since sport is a State subject, each State's priorities decide who gets access to coaching, competitions and exposure [2].

Limits of relying on regional ecosystems

  • Some States start late: Madhya Pradesh got its first GM, Anuj Shrivatri, only as India's 100th [1].
  • Talent moves away: Manipur's boxers trained at the Army Sports Institute, Pune, and competed for Maharashtra. Their coach said north-eastern States finish low despite "tremendous talent" [3].
  • National institutions add value: Services institutions such as ASI show that national capacity can multiply regional talent instead of replacing it [3].

Linking regional and national capacity

  • Grassroots reach: Over 1,000 district-level Khelo India Centres have been notified across States and UTs [4].
  • Institutions in under-served regions: The National Sports University was set up in Manipur under a 2018 Act [5].
  • Better governance: The National Sports Governance Act, 2025 regulates national sports bodies to make federations more accountable [2].
  • Copying proven models: States with few champions can build academies, local tournament circuits and mentor networks like those that grew around Chennai.

Indian sporting excellence has so far been regional in origin, but it need not stay regional. Combining State-led ecosystems with national platforms, in a spirit of cooperative federalism, can turn isolated hubs into a nationwide talent pipeline. India's next century of champions could then come from every State.

Sources

  1. 1Anuj Shrivatri completes India's century of Grandmasters, The Hindu, Chennai edition, 10 November 2026, p. 15(links to the site's home page because the article page could not be opened to verify it). Supports the 100th GM, the State-wise GM counts, Anand in 1988, Chennai as the hub and Madhya Pradesh's first GM.
  2. 2PRS Legislative Research: Issues for Consideration, National Sports Governance Bill, 2025. Supports sport being in the State List (Entry 33, List II) and the regulation of national sports bodies.
  3. 3Sports Authority of India press release: "After a half century of medals in wrestling, Haryana do the same in boxing at KIYG 2019". Supports Haryana's 42 of 62 golds, Manipur boxers competing for Maharashtra through ASI Pune, and the coach's quote.
  4. 4Khelo India: State-wise Khelo India Centres dashboard (SAI/MYAS). Supports the figure of over 1,000 notified district-level Khelo India Centres.
  5. 5PRS Legislative Research: The National Sports University Bill, 2018. Supports the National Sports University being set up in Manipur.

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