New Delhi, Mar 16 (UNI) The need to strengthen grassroots participation, nurture young champions and build a stronger sporting ecosystem for the future of Indian sport was highlighted during the Grand Sports Conclave held on Day 3 of the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the SJFI National Convention at the India Habitat Centre.
The convention is being organised by the hosts, the Delhi Sports Journalists Association (DSJA).
The session featured a distinguished panel comprising Raghu Ram Iyer, CEO, Indian Olympic Association; Anahat Singh, teenage squash sensation; Jyothi Surekha Vennam, India’s star compound archer; Ness Wadia, Co-Owner of Punjab Kings; and Remus D’Cruz, Global Head – Brand Strategy, Apollo Tyres.
Compound archery star Jyothi Surekha Vennam said improved infrastructure and institutional backing have strengthened India’s sporting ecosystem.
“When I started competing, the facilities and support systems were very different. Today, support from government bodies and private organisations has increased significantly, helping athletes perform better on the world stage,” she said.
With compound archery set to feature in the Olympics, Vennam said her focus remains on consistency and performance.
“My focus is on maintaining my performance, improving continuously and earning the opportunity to represent India at the Olympics and win a medal,” she added.
Teenage squash sensation Anahat Singh reflected on how international exposure has shaped her journey in the sport.
“Competing against top players has taught me what it takes to succeed” said Anahat
“The last few years on the squash tour have been amazing. Competing against top players at a young age has taught me a lot about what it takes to succeed at the highest level,” she said.
Anahat added that interactions with elite Indian athletes have been a major source of motivation. “Meeting athletes like Neeraj Chopra and learning from their experiences has been incredibly inspiring and has pushed me to keep improving,” she said.
Punjab Kings Co-Owner Ness Wadia said the rise of athletes across disciplines reflects the broader growth of Indian sport.
“Indian sport today is bigger than any one discipline,” Wadia said.
“For me it has always been about sport in India. Sitting here alongside champions from different sports shows how much Indian sport has evolved,” he said.
“It is incredible to see young athletes achieving world-class rankings and aspiring to win Olympic medals. I will definitely be glued to the television watching them compete and make the country proud,” he added.
“For anyone to represent their country at the highest level is incredible. Seeing athletes from different disciplines achieve global success shows that Indian sport today is much bigger than just one game,” Wadia said.
The Grand Sports Conclave was among the key highlights of the SJFI National Convention’s
Golden Jubilee celebrations, bringing together athletes, administrators and corporate leaders to discuss India’s journey towards becoming a stronger global sporting power.
