Parth Jindal Advocates for a Fund to Boost Sports Development

New Delhi, Jan 16 (NationPress): With the Indian sports landscape continually evolving and introducing new talents and champions each year, there is an ongoing necessity for funding to nurture them and establish infrastructure. One method of generating funds, in addition to governmental support, is through the business sector's Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives. Parth Jindal, Managing Director of JSW Cement, proposed several insightful recommendations on Thursday regarding the application of this funding in New Delhi.

Jindal expressed his views during the inaugural CSR round-table conference held in the national capital on Thursday, aimed at enhancing the Indian sports ecosystem in preparation for the 2036 Olympic Games. Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya encouraged corporates to adopt a sport.

Parth Jindal suggested that the government should promote private sector donations by establishing a distinct sports fund. He also urged the government to tackle the issues of accountability within federations, which are managed by the Indian Olympic Association, an independent entity.

"What I conveyed to the government is that the most critical aspect is that Indian sports are managed by federations, which are supervised by the Indian Olympic Association, an independent body. The problems within the federations, including politics and the absence of accountability, need to be resolved," Parth Jindal told the media following the meeting.

He further elaborated on the proposed sports fund, indicating that support should be allocated only to those federations that excel in terms of results and medal achievements.

"There is already a sports budget; however, we should also establish a sports fund. Contributions from the private sector should be considered. Only federations that demonstrate success in terms of results, medals, governance, and corporate responsibility should be eligible for that funding," he added.

He emphasized that funding should be provided to federations that excel in governance and adhere to corporate responsibility standards. Financial support should be performance-based, reflecting governance quality, professionalism, and feedback from athletes, coaches, and international federations.

Jindal also proposed that the government provide backing for emerging sports entering the Olympic arena, such as breaking in Paris and cricket and squash in Los Angeles. He advocated for support for sports like kho kho, pickleball, and padel, which are gaining traction and have equitable competitive conditions. He stated that the government should invest in these sports to ensure that when they eventually become Olympic events, our teams will be prepared.

Additionally, he suggested that job creation could stem from supporting the labor-intensive sports goods industry. During the COVID period, the government had lowered the income tax rate from 25 percent to 15 percent to stimulate investment in heavy industries such as steel, cement, and power; a similar approach could be adopted for sports, he remarked.