STRENGTHENING THE SPORTS ECOSYSTEM: A LEGAL AND EDUCATIONAL PERSPECTIVE ON THE RESPONSIBILITY OF SCHOOLS

Volume-09 Issue 12, December -2025 ISSN: 2456-9348 Impact Factor: 8.232 International Journal of Engineering Technology Research & Management (IJETRM) https://ijetrm.com/ IJETRM (http://ijetrm.com/) [26] STRENGTHENING THE SPORTS ECOSYSTEM: A LEGAL AND EDUCATIONAL PERSPECTIVE ON THE RESPONSIBILITY OF SCHOOLS Dr. Harshvardhan Dave1 Head, Jagran School of Sports Science and Physical Education, (JSSM), Jagran Lakecity University, Bhopal Dr. Sachin Rastogi2 Dean, Faculty of Law, Jagran Lakecity University, Bhopal ABSTRACT Sports in India hold a unique significance often it’s a matter of national pride, physical health and cultural significance. It has a unique socio-cultural significance which recognise the importance of early exposure to sports in childhood. It has been observed by many educationalists that schools are the centre for the development of robust sporting ecosystem. As children spend most of their formative years in school, they enjoy sports as an activity where sporting values and abilities can be cultivated. Nowadays sports ecosystem has undergone a gradual transformation. School as the primary institution gives an environment for shaping early experiences of physical activity basically sports which help in overall development of child. Sport is not only a recreational activity but sports participation resulted in physical literacy, and athletic values take root from it. Despite its importance, sports in India have been overshadowed by a heavy focus on academic achievement. The introduction of the National Education Policy 2020 highlight to integrate sports into holistic education so that the schools will not be merely an academic centre but also help in physical and emotional welling of children. Now a days, the growth of strong sports system is essential for national progress and social cohesion which largely lies in schools which provides exposure of children to sports. Despite the proven importance of sports in physical, emotional, cognitive, and social development, sports remain marginalized in many educational institutions due to systemic, cultural, and infrastructural limitations. This paper will focus on the contribution of schools in strengthening the sports ecosystem through educational practices, policy integration, and legal obligations. Keywords: Role of sports, sports ecosystem, Sports in India 1. INTRODUCTION School plays a vital role in extending and facilitating games. Now a days, sports are not seen as a leisure activity, but it includes safeguarding student rights, ensuring physical literacy, and aligning sports with national developmental goals. Due to academic priorities and infrastructural limitations, sports in Indian schools are often overshadowed. Sports have been recognized as powerful tools for personal growth and societal advancement. They foster discipline, flexibility, teamwork, leadership, and emotional qualities essential for shaping responsible and productive citizens. For children, sports are not only a form of physical activity but an instrument that enhances their intellectual functioning, emotional maturity, and social behaviour. In India, the vision of becoming a global sporting force requires more than excellence at different levels. It requires systematic, sustained, and inclusive sports development at the grassroots, primarily in schools. Every child first encounters structured physical activity at school level so as to learn the basics of sports. Therefore, the Schools have a dual responsibility viz. to protect children’s right to physical development and to contribute at national sports ecosystem. Though it has been witnessed that the Indian education system prioritized academic achievement over sports. Cultural pressures, limited infrastructure, insufficiently trained teachers, and inadequate legal awareness have further limited sports participation. Volume-09 Issue 12, December -2025 ISSN: 2456-9348 Impact Factor: 8.232 International Journal of Engineering Technology Research & Management (IJETRM) https://ijetrm.com/ IJETRM (http://ijetrm.com/) [27] 2. SPORTS IN THE INDIAN CONTEXT Historically, Indian culture has embraced physical activities in which various physical activities has been included. From wrestling in akharas to indigenous games like kabaddi, kho-kho, gilli-danda, and mallakhamb etc has their own importance. However, the focus in modern era is more on classroom education then field education resulted in reducing the status of sports. Post-independence, various committees such as the Kothari Commission (1966), National Sports Policy (2001), and NEP 2020 recognized sports as essential to schooling. Yet implementation gaps persist. Sports act as a Dimension of Holistic Education which emphasize experiential learning, wherein physical activity acts as a medium for intellectual and emotional growth. Through Sports not only the physical literacy to a sport is learnt but the key component such as motivation, confidence, competence, and knowledge to engage in physical activities across the lifespan is also learnt. Studies show that children who participate in sports demonstrate better academic performance, improved focus, higher self-esteem, reduced anxiety, and stronger social skills. Neuroscientific research indicates that physical activity improves memory, attention span, and cognitive processing. It can also be concluded that Schools play an unrivalled role in shaping children's first impressions of sports. Their responsibilities may be categorized across five dimensions: • Physical Development Sports enhance the physical development not only in sort of physical appearance in height, weight but also in cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, flexibility, coordination, and immunity. This has a lifelong effects on health of an individual. • Cognitive and Academic Development Sports and academics support each other. Physical activity boosts brain development and reasoning clarity. • Emotional and Psychological Development While playing, children learn to cope with competition, stress, failure, and teamwork which shape their emotional maturity. • Social and Moral Development Social cohesion as one of the key factor which is taught by sports which includes respect, fairness, leadership, communication, and cooperation • Talent Identification During early childhood the interest of a child to a particular sport can be identified and schools gives an environment for early detection of their potential, enabling future careers in sports. 3. SCHOOLS AS THE FOUNDATION OF THE SPORTS ECOSYSTEM Schools aid an environment where children engage with organized physical activity. They learn how their interest and behaviour is a part and parcel of their sport interest. • Early Talent Identification Teachers and coaches often identify the talent at a young age and through proper early guidance and skill direction, children strengthen their talent. This also help in national and international success. • Infrastructure and Safe Sporting Spaces Schools provide essential spaces like playgrounds, courts, and safe equipment that many children do not have access to at home. Such a safe and inclusive sports environment, help in reducing injuries which encourages participation. • Integration into Curriculum Embedding sports within the curriculum ensures that physical activity becomes a consistent and mandatory component of education. A structured Time-table for Physical Education classes helps in physical literacy and promote healthy habits. 4. LEGAL PERSPECTIVE: SCHOOLS’ RESPONSIBILITY IN PROTECTING SPORTS Constitutional Backing While the Indian Constitution does not explicitly mention “sports,” various fundamental rights indirectly support children's access to sports. Sports and physical activity can be linked to constitutional rights: Article 21 – Right to Life Volume-09 Issue 12, December -2025 ISSN: 2456-9348 Impact Factor: 8.232 International Journal of Engineering Technology Research & Management (IJETRM) https://ijetrm.com/ IJETRM (http://ijetrm.com/) [28] Interpreted broadly, it includes the right to health, well-being, and development—essentially supporting children’s right to sports. Article 21A – Right to Education Education is not merely academic literacy but holistic development, which includes physical literacy. DPSPs (Directive Principles) • Article 39(f): childhood must be protected • Article 47: improving public health is a state responsibility Together, they imply the promotion of sports in schools. Role of Judiciary: Courts have repeatedly emphasized that education must be holistic and safe. This includes safe sporting environments, holistic education which logically extend to sports, trained staff, and opportunities for physical growth. In Avinash Mehrotra v. Union of India (2009), the Supreme Court held that the Right to Education includes the right to a safe school environment. Safe sporting spaces logically fall under this obligation. This principle extends to providing safe sports facilities and play areas.. Kanishka Pandey v. Union of India (2018) is a landmark petition urged courts to recognize physical literacy as a fundamental right. The Supreme Court acknowledged the importance of sports in child development and sought governmental response. In Sorab Singh Gill v. Union of India, the High Court recognised sports as integral to education, not an extracurricular add-on. This highlights the legal expectation that schools must support sports meaningfully. This led to strengthening the legal mandate for schools. The Court also gave recognition of Physical Education Teachers as “Teachers” by acknowledging PETs/PTIs as full-fledged educators. The Court indirectly strengthened the role of sports education within schools. the Court affirmed that sports education is equally important as academic education. 5. EDUCATIONAL PERSPECTIVE: HOW SCHOOLS STRENGTHEN THE SPORTS ECOSYSTEM The National Education Policy (NEP 2020) emphasize sports-integrated learning and holistic development. Schools are expected to promote health, fitness, and physical literacy across all grades. • Building Life Skills Sports foster discipline, leadership, teamwork, emotional resilience, and decision-making—skills that shape a child’s personality well into adulthood. • Ensuring Social Inclusion Schools play an important role in ending gender stereotypes and enabling equal participation for girls, children with disabilities, and marginalized communities. • Preserving Indigenous Sports By including traditional games like kabaddi, kho-kho, and mallakhamb, schools help preserve India’s cultural sporting heritage. • Preparing Students for Future Careers Through structured training, mentoring, and exposure to competitions, schools can guide students toward various sports-related careers, athlete, coach, physiotherapist, referee, performance analyst, etc. 6. CHALLENGES IN SCHOOL-BASED SPORTS DEVELOPMENT • Lack of Infrastructure: Many schools lack playgrounds, equipment, or indoor facilities which reduces the chances of effective execution of NEP. • Insufficient Trained Staff: Shortage of qualified PE teachers affects sports development. Due to lack of trained PE teachers, sports are not taught as per the established principles and code. • Academic Pressure: Due to heavy academic load, student got discouraged in participation in which many times leads to overshadowing sports. • Socio-cultural Barriers: It is presumed in the society that certain sports are meant for a particular gender only. These Gender stereotypes, parental pressure, and economic limitations hinder participation. • Implementation Gaps: The Policies related to sports exist but are not enforced consistently. Due to inadequate policy enforcement, interest in sports is declining. Volume-09 Issue 12, December -2025 ISSN: 2456-9348 Impact Factor: 8.232 International Journal of Engineering Technology Research & Management (IJETRM) https://ijetrm.com/ IJETRM (http://ijetrm.com/) [29] • Financial constraints: Due to lack of financial support in purchasing equipment’s, tools, kit, uniform etc. the government schools faces challenges in starting certain sports. 7. RECOMMENDATIONS As there are many challenges in making sport a successful activity for overall development of the child, measures can be taken to face these challenges so as to build a stronger sports ecosystem. They are: 1. Mandatory Sports Hours in all schools with strict monitoring (Mandatory Minimum sports hours per week should be compulsory and monitored). Initiatives can be taken for inclusion of sports in school evaluation metrics. Academic Burden can be reduced to balance timetables that prioritize physical education. 2. Develop Infrastructure with Government grants and PPP models for helping schools to build adequate facilities. Government grants can be directed toward grassroots sports development. 3. Hiring certified PE teachers and ongoing teacher training will help in Train children. Also the partnerships with local sports academies will assist in training. 4. Framework for Health and safety standards for sports facilities (fields, equipment, and training sessions). 5. Early Talent Identification Programs should be initiated, Schools should collaborate with sports academies and federations. 6. Encourage Indigenous Sports. Include traditional games to preserve culture and widen participation. 7. Awareness Programs for Parents Educate families about the long-term benefits of sports. 8. CONCLUSION Schools act as an agent that can transform India’s sports ecosystem through educational integration. The sports ecosystem in India can be strengthened into more professional setup which begins at the grassroots level, inside the school campus. Schools play an important role in transforming sport as a fun activity to a powerful tool for the national development by ensuring safe facilities, proper training, legal compliance and curriculum integration. ‘A child who learns skills on the playground which no textbook can teach’. Schools are the bedrock of India’s sports ecosystem which legally, educationally, socially, and developmentally possess a critical responsibility to protect, promote sports and sustain sports culture. School through its disciplined and robust culture create healthier children, stronger communities, and a more competitive nation on the global stage. In present scenario, sports must move from the limitations of schooling to its very core. From past few decades, India is facing challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, academic pressure, and lack of early training which limit athletic development. Schools, as the earliest and most influential institutions in a child’s life, play a crucial role in protecting, promoting, and sustaining sports culture in India. In light of the same, the Sports integrated Curriculum is added in NEP 2020 which recommends integrating sports with academic learning and promoting activity-based education which emphasis on holistic development of the children. To implement the same, the Schools must ensure every child participates. REFERENCES: 1) Kapoor, A. (2018). Holistic Education and Physical Development, p. 12. 2) Bhattacharya, S. (2019). Role of Schools in Child Growth, p. 45. 3) Ibid., p. 47. 4) Dewey, J. (1938). Experience and Education, p. 21. 5) Singh, R. (2020). Sports and Academic Achievement, p. 89. 6) Desai, V. (2017). Historical Roots of Indian Physical Culture, p. 33. 7) Kothari Commission Report, 1966, p. 55. 8) Patel, L. (2021). Constitutional Perspectives on Child Development, p. 102. 9) Ibid., p. 107. 10) Murray, T. (2016). Global Physical Literacy Models, p. 14. 11) Sharma, R. (2015). Physical Fitness and School Sports, p. 67. 12) Gupta, S. (2019). Neuroscience of Physical Activity, p. 28. 13) Mehta, K. (2018). Psychological Benefits of Sports, p. 52. 14) Thomas, L. (2021). Social Skills through Sports, p. 74. 15) Dutta, P. (2017). Talent Identification in Schools, p. 39. 16) Supreme Court Judgment: Article 21 Interpretation, AIR 1992 SC 1858. 17) Right to Education Act Commentary, 2010, p. 88. Volume-09 Issue 12, December -2025 ISSN: 2456-9348 Impact Factor: 8.232 International Journal of Engineering Technology Research & Management (IJETRM) https://ijetrm.com/ IJETRM (http://ijetrm.com/) [30] 18) Constitution of India, Articles 39(f) & 47. 19) Avinash Mehrotra v. Union of India, (2009) 6 SCC 398. 20) Kanishka Pandey v. Union of India, W.P.(C) 423/2018. 21) Sorab Singh Gill v. Union of India, Punjab & Haryana HC, 2012. 22) Supreme Court Service Rules Interpretation, 2018. 23) National Education Policy, 2020, p. 76. 24) Ministry of Education Report, 2019, p. 18. 25) Ibid., p. 20. 26) Sharma & Rathod (2020). Academic Pressure and Sports Participation, p. 91. 27) Verma, K. (2017). Gender and Sports in India, p. 54. 28) Policy Implementation Study, NITI Aayog, 2021, p. 33. 29) CBSE Circular on Physical Education, 2020. 30) Government Infrastructure Guidelines, 2018, p. 14. 31) PE Teacher Training Manual, NCERT, 2017. 32) Sports Authority of India (SAI) Report, 2019. 33) School Safety Standards Manual, 2020. 34) Indigenous Games Promotion Scheme, 2018. 35) Education Reforms Paper, 2022, p. 61. 36) Parent Awareness Survey, 2021, p. 27. 37) Final Policy Review Summary, Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, 2022.