Top 10 highlights of Indian Sports in last decade

India have jumped leaps ahead as a sports nation in the last 10 years.

Indian sports in the last decade have had a big shift with several athletes ranked among the world’s best disciplines like badminton, tennis, athletics hockey among others. Evidence of that is available on many platforms, Indibet, which let fans get involved with sports through betting, showing just how passionate the country is about sports.

There have been plenty of big moments across various sports, and because of these achievements, India has made a mark on the global sports scene. The country’s love for sports has grown, inspiring young athletes and fans alike—a change that President Droupadi Murmu has also praised.

Growth and Achievements

India had seven medals at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. The biggest moment? Neeraj Chopra’s gold in javelin throw. India had never won gold in any track and field event before this, ending a wait of 100 years.

PV Sindhu is another champion in badminton. She won silver at the 2016 Olympics, becoming the first Indian woman to do it. Then in 2019, she won gold at the World Championships. This had so many Indians excited about picking up a badminton racket. Her wins really helped make badminton one of the most popular sports in India.

Diversity of Sports

Unlike before, India isn’t just about cricket anymore. Take kabaddi for example. The old sport enjoyed a major comeback when the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) kicked off in 2014.

But India’s been dominating it in other sports too. Mary Kom became a national hero after winning bronze in boxing at the 2012 Olympics. Young gun Manu Bhaker is equally making waves in shooting competitions. Thanks to these women, more girls are getting into these sports.

Impact on Sporting Culture

Things are really changing in Indian sports. The government has been putting serious money into building better training centers and helping young athletes. Take the Khelo India program, for instance. It’s giving kids a real shot at becoming sports stars by setting them up with good coaches and proper facilities.

It’s not just the government stepping up. Big companies are jumping in too, throwing their money behind different sports and helping set up new leagues. This means athletes can actually make a living from sports now. They don’t have to worry about holding down another job while training. It’s made everything more professional and given sports in India a new, better look.

The success of Indian athletes on the global stage has equally changed the way people see sports. It is now seen as a viable career option. Parents and educational institutions are more supportive of children pursuing sports, as they now see the potential for success and national pride.

Key Achievements in Indian Sports

We’ve said India has seen success in its sports in recent times, mentioning a few instances. Here are more specific achievements:

1. Neeraj Chopra’s Gold at Tokyo Olympics 2021

Neeraj Chopra made history at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. He became the first Indian athlete to win an Olympic gold in track and field. His javelin throw of 87.58 meters won him the medal, but it did more than that. It also ended India’s long wait for a track and field Olympic win.

This achievement brought new attention to athletics. Countless young Indians were inspired to dream of excelling in the sport. Neeraj’s victory marked the beginning of a new era for athletics in India.

Also Read: Top five brands endorsed by Neeraj Chopra

2. India’s Historic World Cup win (20111) and Test Series Win in Australia (2020-21)

Indian cricket team ended a wait of 28 years to lift the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup trophy, beating Sri Lanka in the final in a thrilling match at the Wankhede Stadium. It was India’s first since 1983 and repaired the heartbreak from the 2003 final defeat in South Africa.

India also memorably won the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The team battled with injuries and missed key players. However, the young team led by stand-in captain Ajinkya Rahane defeated Australia 2-1 on their home soil. The series saw incredible performances, like Rishabh Pant’s fearless batting.

3. PV Sindhu’s World Championships Gold (2019)

PV Sindhu became the first Indian woman to win gold at the BWF World Championships in 2019. She had a wonderful performance in the final against Nozomi Okuhara. Sindhu’s win pushed Indian badminton forward. It inspired young players, especially girls, to take up the sport.

4. Rise of Kabaddi and Pro Kabaddi League

Kabaddi, a sport rooted in Indian culture, found new life when the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) launched in 2014. The league’s unique format and TV coverage made it a hit as kabaddi turned into a mainstream sport. Players from small towns became stars, and fans from across the country tuned in to watch every season. Thanks to the PKL, kabaddi is now a professional sport inspiring future athletes.

5. Women’s Cricket World Cup Final Appearance (2017)

The Indian women’s cricket team had an impressive run up to the 2017 ICC Women’s World Cup final. Their performances captured the nation’s attention. They narrowly lost the final game, but everyone saw the team’s talent and potential. It opened doors for more investment in women’s sports and encouraged young girls to take up cricket leading to the launch of WPL (Women’s Premier League) in 2023.

6. Indian Hockey Team’s Bronze Medal at Tokyo 2021

After over 40 years, the Indian men’s hockey team brought home an Olympic medal at Tokyo 2021. Their 5-4 win against Germany in the bronze medal match sparked nationwide celebrations. Hockey, once synonymous with India’s sporting dominance, found its way back into the limelight. This achievement renewed interest in the sport and encouraged efforts to nurture talent.

7. Mary Kom’s Bronze Medal at London Olympics 2012

Mary Kom’s bronze medal at the 2012 London Olympics was a defining moment for Indian sports. As a mother competing on the global stage, she broke stereotypes and inspired millions of people. Her success motivated a new wave of young boxers in India.

8. Sunil Chhetri stamping his legacy in international football

Indian football continued to make steady progress piloted by the evergreen Sunil Chhetri. The former Indian skipper inspired a generation of footballers and introduced new fans to the sport with his achievements in the international arena, becoming the fourth-highest international goalscorer.

Such was his influence that FIFA released a documentary about the life and career of the great man, who retired from the international stage on June 6, 2024. With 89 international goals, he remains India’s all-time highest goalscorer and most capped player—records that will perhaps withstand the test of time.

9. Rise of Chess with Grandmasters and Global Titles

Chess is thriving in India, thanks to legends like Viswanathan Anand and young stars like Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa. The number of Indian Grandmasters has grown, and the country has recorded success in global tournaments. Chess is now a source of pride and inspiration for the youth in India.

10. India’s Performance in Paralympics

Indian athletes impressed at the Tokyo Paralympics, with names like Avani Lekhara and Bhavina Patel making history. Avani won gold in shooting, and Bhavina secured silver in table tennis. Their achievements have shown the importance of para-sports and pushed for better support for differently-abled athletes.

Also Read: Top 10 Indian moments from Paris Paralympics 2024

India’s key achievements in major international competitions in last decade

Competition	Year	Medals Won	Notable Achievements
Tokyo Olympics	2021	7	Gold in Javelin by Neeraj Chopra
Asian Games	2018	69	Best-ever performance at the Asian Games
BWF World Championships	2019	1 (Gold)	P.V. Sindhu’s historic victory
Commonwealth Games	2018	66	Record medal haul, notable performances in wrestling and badminton
2016 Rio Olympics	2016	2	Silver in Wrestling by Sakshi Malik, Bronze in Badminton by P.V. Sindhu
ICC Cricket World Cup	2011	1 (Champions)	India’s World Cup Victory, first in 28 years

Impact of these achievements

The incredible milestones by Indian athletes in the last decade have brought major changes to sports in the country. Some of the noticeable impacts include:

1. Better Facilities

Success stories like Neeraj Chopra’s Olympic gold have led to the building of better sports facilities. Programs like Khelo India made the approval of over 280 projects worth at least ₹2,328.39 crores. These projects aim to create top-quality training centers for athletes everywhere.

Also Read: Sports Budget 2024: Top highlights as govt allocates highest-ever budget for Khelo India Program

2. More Support for Athletes

Both the government and private sponsors are backing Indian athletes like never before. Companies like the JSW Group are helping athletes improve with funding and resources, which is a big reason behind India’s better results in global sports competitions.

3. Grassroots Efforts

Successes in sports have inspired more programs to find and train young talent. The Indian government has set up over 1,000 Khelo India Centres to promote sports at the grassroots level.

4. Fans More Involved

Platforms like Indibet have made following sports even more exciting. Multiple betting options on popular sports in India allows new ways for fans to connect with each action.

Challenges and Opportunities

Even with all the progress, Indian sports still face some major hurdles:

• Not Enough Funding and Facilities: Sure, India had about 100 fancy sports venues, but that’s not nearly enough. Most athletes are still training in pretty basic conditions. If you’re not in a popular sport, it’s hard finding decent equipment or a proper place to train.

• Neglect of Lesser-Known Sports: If you’re in a sport that’s not cricket or you’re a female athlete, you’re probably fighting for scraps. These sports barely get 10% of the total sports budget. How are they supposed to grow like that?

To really change things in Indian sports, these problems should be fixed and everyone should have a fair shot.

Moving Forward

The last 10 years have been pretty exciting for popular sports in India. Cricket and football are bigger than ever, Neeraj Chopra grabbed that historic Olympic gold, and kabaddi’s gone from a village game to prime-time TV.

Sports fans are getting into it like never before. Platforms like Indibet have made engaging in sports betting more fun. Now you can really bet on the action instead of only watching from the sidelines.

Sure, there are problems to fix, but everyone can help out. Whether it’s cheering for the underdogs, supporting new talent, or just showing up for local games, every action counts.

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