Create Athletes, Not Just Celebrate Them: Mary Kom and Bhaichung Bhutia Call for Systemic Reform in Indian Sport

Raipur, April 3: Indian sport stands at a crucial juncture - rich in talent, growing in ambition, but still searching for a system that can consistently produce champions. At the Khelo India Tribal Games (KITG) 2026, two of India's most respected sporting voices, MC Mary Kom and Bhaichung Bhutia, came together to articulate what that system must look like.

Their message was clear and consistent - India's future success in sport will not be built at the top, but at the grassroots, through culture, structure, and intent.

"Investing in Grassroots Is the Need"

Bhutia, reflecting on his own journey as a product of the Sports Authority of India system, stressed that India has historically overlooked the foundation of sport.

"I have been a SAI product... Investing in grassroots level is the need, but we tend to overlook that and only focus on the top level."

For him, this imbalance - where elite success is celebrated but early development is neglected - remains the biggest barrier to progress.

This aligns with his broader critique of Indian sport, where recognition often comes after achievement rather than support during the journey. "We need to start creating athletes, not just celebrating them after success."

Talent Exists - But Needs the Right Ecosystem

Both Bhutia and Mary Kom emphasised that India is not short of talent - especially in tribal regions and non-urban pockets.

Bhutia, the former Indian football captain, pointed to the Northeast as a long-standing example of natural sporting culture. "Tribal communities naturally have immense sporting talent... particularly from the Northeast, where so many athletes have represented India brilliantly." But talent alone is not enough.

"Giving young people a platform is very important... this is just the beginning, and in the years to come we will see a lot more talent emerging from tribal backgrounds."

Mary Kom echoed this sentiment, highlighting how lack of access and awareness had historically held back many gifted athletes. "Our tribal communities have enormous potential. In earlier times, they didn't get platforms like this, and there wasn't enough awareness either."

"Send Children to Playgrounds, Not Screens"

Beyond infrastructure and policy, both legends pointed to a deeper cultural issue - the changing lifestyle of young Indians. They stressed that the foundation of sporting success begins at home.

"Families need to discourage children from spending more time on screens and send them to playgrounds." For Bhutia, environment plays a decisive role in shaping athletes.

"When you're from the Northeast, you do two things: football or music. That was my environment... football was the culture in every village, every town."

The contrast with modern urban India, where screens often replace playgrounds, highlights a growing challenge.

Structured Pathways: Learning from Global Systems

Bhutia also stressed that India must adopt a more structured and scientific approach to athlete development, similar to global sporting powerhouses.

"Athletes should go through a meticulous training process during their developmental phase like world beaters China and USA."

This, he suggested, is where India still lags - not in ambition, but in execution. Without a clear pathway from grassroots to elite level, talent often fades before reaching its potential.

Khelo India as a Bridge Between Talent and Excellence

Both athletes identified initiatives like the Khelo India Tribal Games as critical steps in bridging long-standing gaps. Mary Kom praised the initiative as a transformative platform.

"The Khelo India Tribal Games began here in Chhattisgarh, and I'm very happy about it... I support this initiative wholeheartedly."

The six-time world boxing champion highlighted how such platforms provide exposure that was previously missing. "That's perhaps why many talented children couldn't advance further."

With programmes like Khelo India and Fit India gaining momentum, she sees a shift in participation. "Children are slowly taking the initiative, participating, and representing the country. This is a tremendous thing for India's sporting future."

At the same time, she called for expansion. "More disciplines should be included in future Khelo India Tribal Games to harness the full potential of tribal athletes."

Beyond Infrastructure: The Need for Intent and Passion

Bhutia's long-standing argument about intent found resonance again. Drawing parallels with African and South American nations, he has repeatedly highlighted that success is not always linked to superior facilities.

Countries with fewer resources often produce world-class athletes because of stronger sporting culture, early engagement, and genuine passion.

For India, the lesson is clear - infrastructure alone cannot create champions without the right mindset and ecosystem.

A Shared Vision for India's Sporting Future

What emerges from the voices of Mary Kom and Bhaichung Bhutia is not criticism, but clarity.

They are not questioning India's potential - they are outlining what it will take to realise it:

• Early identification of talent
• Strong grassroots systems
• Continuous training and competition
• Cultural shift towards sports participation
• Better implementation of policies

Above all, their message is about intent - from families, federations, and the system as a whole.

"This Is Just the Beginning"

If there is one common thread in both their perspectives, it is optimism grounded in realism. India has begun building the right platforms. Participation is increasing. Awareness is growing. But for India to truly excel on the global stage, the focus must remain on building from the ground up.

As Bhutia and Mary Kom made clear - champions are not created overnight. They are built, patiently and systematically, long before they are celebrated.