India’s Sporting Ambitions and Nagaland’s Reality Check

India’s youthful demography is its greatest asset. With nearly 65% of its population under 35, the country boasts the largest youth cohort in the world—about 910 million people. To put it in perspective, that figure alone exceeds the total population of any nation except China (1.4 billion). The total population of USA, the third most populated country in the world, is 340 million. No surprise then that the Government of India is investing heavily in youth development and sports promotion. It is both smart policy and smart politics. Recognizing this immense demographic dividend, the Government of India has made youth development and sports a national priority—and rightly so.

The recently approved National Sports Policy (NSP) 2025 marks a bold step forward. Replacing the two-decade-old 2001 policy, the new framework is designed to transform India into a global sporting powerhouse. Built around five key pillars—Excellence on the Global Stage, Sports for Economic and Social Development, Sports as a People’s Movement, and Integration with Education—the policy sets an ambitious but necessary course. The NSP 2025 aspires to do more than produce Olympic champions. It seeks to embed sports into national development, community building, and economic growth.

The Government of India has backed its intent with action. Budget allocation for the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has increased significantly—from Rs 466 crore in 2004-05 to Rs 3,397.32 crore for FY 2023-24. This surge reflects a growing recognition that sports is not just recreation but an engine of national pride, economic opportunity, and social cohesion.

Encouragingly, the policy also emphasizes inclusion, traditional sports, and synergy with NEP 2020, while introducing rigorous governance, funding models, and a monitoring mechanism. This kind of comprehensive strategy is exactly what is needed if India is serious about excelling at events like the 2036 Olympics.

However, while India is pushing forward with a national vision, states like Nagaland risk being left behind. The recently concluded 2025 National Games in Uttarakhand exposed the cracks in Nagaland’s sports structure. With just two bronze medals to show, the state found itself at the bottom of the medal tally, a sobering contrast to Manipur’s 41 medals. This despite the fact that Nagaland’s neighbour faces equal or greater challenges in terms of geography and socio-political conditions.

There is no denying that funds are being allocated for sports development in Nagaland. The Rio-led government earmarked Rs1,055 lakh for the Department of Youth Resources and Sports this fiscal year. Moreover, the state has, in recent years, emphasized sports (and music) as engines of youth engagement and empowerment. But if the state continues to underperform on the national stage, it raises the inevitable question: where is the investment going?

The promise of a revamped Nagaland Sports Policy, publicly announced in November 2023, sparked real hope. Yet, the overhaul never came. Meanwhile, the Centre continues to push for reform, excellence, and inclusivity through initiatives like NSP 2025. Expect more “focus” on youth and sports from the Nagaland government in the near future, especially with central funds flowing, but without execution, focus becomes rhetoric.

Nagaland needs an urgent reassessment of its sports governance, grassroots development, and infrastructure priorities. If India is preparing for Olympic glory, Nagaland must at least be ready to compete.

MT