Policymakers drive towards sports revolution

In 2024, young champions like Manu Bhaker and Gukesh Dommaraju rewrote history. 18-year-old Dommaraju became the youngest world chess champion ever while Bhaker became the first Indian woman shooter to win an Olympic medal and the first Indian to win two medals in a single Olympic Games. These two achievers had access to a sturdy support system as well as urban resources to reach their full potential but rural India too has vast reservoirs of untapped sporting talent. Gumla in Jharkhand for instance, is not only known for its scenic beauty but also boasts a rich history of producing exceptional athletes in Hockey, Football, Athletics and Badminton. In fact, in 2022, five women hockey players, hailing from remote regions like Simdega, Khunti and Gumla travelled to the US after being chosen for an immersion programme.  
Through the efforts of Transform Rural India’s PPiA (Public Policy in Action) Fellows, the next generation of champions is being nurtured in Jharkhand. Over 20 sports talent hunts have also been conducted at block and district levels in the past year while two indoor stadiums for badminton have also been established using Special Central Assistance (SCA) funding.
The PPiA Fellowship is a key enabler in driving systemic change, empowering young athletes and nurturing tribal talent. The Jharkhand government has also launched sports schemes aimed at providing resources and opportunities to youth in insurgency-affected areas but it is not always possible to disseminate them at the grassroots level. This is where Transform Rural India’s PPiA Fellows step in to tackle the challenges of inter-departmental coordination. They strive to create seamless synergy between different stakeholders so that tribal and rural aspirants have access to requisite infrastructure and more.   The far-reaching impact of the work done by the PPiA Fellows has hence not just facilitated individual success but also led to the economic and social upliftment of underserved communities in Jharkhand.