Nagadarsan Suresh 50th best athletic country in the world Slovenia, Dominican Republic and Zimbabwe? Size Stability Diversity Indian sports Minus cricket that is.. IPL, huge contracts, dedicated fans and demi-gods Efforts at grassroots level C.K. Kesavan memorial school, Koruthodu K.P. Thomas, the legendary coach Pension Fund Trained Shiny Wilson (Asian Games double gold), Anju Bobby George (Olympian and world no.4), Jincy Philips 170 young athletes for free Efforts at grassroots level Paralympic Archery Federation of India in Ahmednagar To encourage physically challenged girls to take up the sport Sponsorship and donations in the first year 110 researchers per million, as opposed to 633 in China and 5000 in Japan Efforts by MNCs National sport Efforts by ESPN Star Bringing hockey to a more affluent audience Falling revenues since the second year FIFA’s several initiatives in Bengal and Kerala Mike Miltner Miltner’s story Burned out ski instructor Bought snowboard models from a bankrupt company Bi-Skis Multiple Sclerosis, Cerebral Palsy, children with Down Syndrome The bane Innovation is interpreted in several ways The weightlifting example The promise of glory Lure of money in the poorer sections of the society The promise of jobs Unscrupulous coaches The promise of fame and money A Solution? Government needs to contribute healthily to sports Separate bureaucracy and sports Priya Ranjan Dasmunshi, K.P.S. Gill (charges of harassment, corruption) Change in mindset of parents Private players required – even without guaranteed profits The role of cricketers It’s a symbiotic relationship What can we do? Sports entrepreneurs? Corporate Sporting Responsibility Encourage visionaries like K.P. Thomas Monetarily and in terms of publicity Publicity!