Startup funding, tax breaks and simpler rules key to unlocking grassroots talent
NEW DELHI, Jan 12 (The CONNECT) — Despite being the world’s most populous nation with a median age of just 28–29 years, India is yet to consistently translate its vast youth base into Olympic-level sporting success, says Abhinav Sinha, co-founder of sports-tech startup SportsSkill, calling for urgent policy support to strengthen the sector.
With nearly 25% of India’s population under the age of 15, Sinha said the country has no shortage of raw talent, but remains constrained by gaps in grassroots infrastructure, technology adoption and enabling policies.
“India’s sports achievements are improving steadily, but the systems that nurture talent at the grassroots need immediate fixing,” Sinha said. “A focused push for the sports-tech startup ecosystem can help bridge this gap and unlock our true potential.”
He outlined three key interventions needed to accelerate progress. First, Sinha said the Startup India programme should create dedicated funding pools for sports technology and grassroots sports development platforms. Second, he called for tax incentives for companies investing in sports infrastructure and training technology, similar to those available for research and development. Third, he urged regulatory simplification for sports startups, particularly for operating across multiple states and setting up seamless payment systems.
“India has both the talent and the market scale to become a global leader in sports,” Sinha said. “But that will only happen if sports tech is recognised as a strategic sector for youth development and economic growth.”
According to him, the government’s ambition of turning India into a sporting powerhouse hinges on providing structural and financial support to startups that are innovating at the intersection of technology, training and grassroots participation.
“Champions are not built overnight,” Sinha added. “They are built by ecosystems—and sports-tech startups are a critical part of that ecosystem.”
