When we talk about public health in India, we mostly focus on hospitals, doctors, medicines, and treatments. But what if the best way to keep people healthy is not just through treatment, but by preventing illness in the first place? This is where sports and regular physical activity can play a major role.
Today, India is facing a silent health crisis. More and more people are getting affected by lifestyle-related diseases like diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, heart issues, and stress. These diseases are not caused by infections or poor hygiene — they are mostly due to lack of physical activity. The good news is, with the right push towards fitness and sports, this situation can be improved. In fact, including sports in India’s public health policy could be one of the smartest decisions for a healthier, stronger country.
Modern India Is Getting Sicker — And It’s Not Because of Infections
According to recent studies and the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 45.5% of Indian adults were physically inactive in 2022. This is double the percentage compared to the year 2000. If we continue this trend, over 55% of adults may be inactive by 2030.
That means more people are sitting for long hours, not exercising, and getting diseases early in life. Common health problems today include:
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Heart diseases
- Mental stress and depression
- High blood pressure
- Bone and joint issues
These are all non-communicable diseases (NCDs) — meaning they are not spread from person to person but are caused by poor lifestyle choices.
What’s more worrying is that India’s health system is already under pressure. The doctor-patient ratio in India is far below the ideal 1:1000 recommended by WHO. So, instead of waiting for people to fall sick and rush to hospitals, we need to start building a “prevention-first” health system — where people are encouraged to stay fit and avoid illness altogether.
Sports Is Not Just for Athletes — It’s for Everyone
In India, we often see sports as something that only professional players or school students take part in. But that mindset needs to change. Playing sports or staying active is not about winning medals — it’s about staying healthy.
Let’s take a simple example: Walking 10,000 steps a day or cycling for 30 minutes regularly can reduce your chances of getting lifestyle diseases by over 50%. Even light sports like badminton, table tennis, or swimming can improve your heart, boost mental health, and reduce stress.
This is exactly why countries like Japan and the Netherlands are investing in sports-friendly public policies — not for medals, but for their people’s long-term health.
Japan and Netherlands: Two Countries Winning with Fitness
In Japan, the government started promoting health and sports through clear policies. This is one of the reasons why the average life expectancy in Japan is now 83.7 years — among the highest in the world. Similarly, in the Netherlands, about 44% of people play some form of sport every week, thanks to support from the Ministry of Health and easy access to local sports clubs and parks.
These countries understood early that a healthy citizen is the strongest pillar of a healthy nation. India, too, must walk on this path, especially when we are aiming to become a developed country by 2047.
India’s Sports Economy Is Booming — But Is It Inclusive?
According to Deloitte, India’s sports economy stands at $52 billion today and is expected to reach $130 billion by 2030, growing at a solid 14% every year. The rise in popularity of new-age sports like Pickleball, which saw a 275% growth in just three years, shows how Indians are now becoming more open to active living.
But here’s the catch — most sports infrastructure is still limited to metro cities and private clubs. Rural areas and even small towns have very few open gyms, walking parks, or cycling tracks. And even where these facilities exist, they are often underfunded or poorly maintained.
To truly build a sports-based health model, India needs to focus on accessibility — making basic sports facilities available for all, not just a few.
Community Sports Spaces Can Act Like Health Clinics
Imagine a place in every neighbourhood where children, adults, and the elderly can go to play a sport or take a walk — without needing a gym membership. These could be community sports centres, like we have hospitals or clinics. They would help reduce health issues and improve the well-being of the local population.
In countries like Denmark, cycling just one kilometre is calculated to save 1.22 Danish Kroner, thanks to lower health costs and reduced traffic. If India can create such infrastructure, we too can save money on healthcare and at the same time build a stronger, more active society.
Schools and Workplaces: The Missed Opportunity
Fitness should start early — but unfortunately, only 20% of Indian school children get proper physical activity in a week. Many schools still treat sports as an optional period that can be skipped for extra classes or exams. This habit stays with the child for life and later turns into health issues.
Instead, India should follow countries like Australia, where schools follow a full athletic-academic routine. Proper coaching, sports breaks, and physical training are built into the timetable. In workplaces too, simple changes like fitness breaks, in-house sports leagues, and walk-and-talk meetings can change employee health and productivity.
Why Urban Planning Must Include Fitness
As our cities grow, we need to think beyond malls and highways. Modern Indian cities must include walkable footpaths, cycling lanes, open gyms, and gardens as part of their basic design.
Sadly, most Indian cities today are not built for walking or cycling. People avoid going outside because roads are unsafe, or there are no clean places to exercise. But this can be changed with smart planning. Cities like Pune and Bangalore have already started creating cycle tracks and open exercise spaces, but this needs to be expanded across the country.
Sports Campaigns Can Change Habits, Just Like Cleanliness Campaigns Did
The Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Mission) is a great example of how a focused public campaign changed people’s habits. Similarly, India can launch a “Fit Bharat Movement” that makes fitness and sports a daily habit.
This campaign should not just be about ads and slogans — it should include:
- Local sports festivals
- Government-sponsored fitness sessions in parks
- Mass community walks or runs
- Celebrity fitness ambassadors promoting simple exercises
- Free fitness checks for people who attend sports camps
Such efforts will make sports a part of everyday life rather than an occasional activity.
