In India, we celebrate sporting success loudly—but we protect athletes quietly, if at all.
Every time an athlete steps onto a field, track, court, or ring, they place more than their talent at stake. They place their body, mind, dignity, and future in the hands of the system that governs them.
And that system, today, is deeply fragmented, reactive, and insufficient.
This article is not about blaming sports.
It is about protecting those who make sports possible.
India urgently needs a National Sports Safety Commission—not as a symbolic body, but as a powerful, independent institution that safeguards athletes across every stage of their journey.
Why I Am Writing This
Over the years, I have worked closely with athletes, parents, coaches, academies, and institutions. I have listened to stories that rarely make headlines:
- Athletes playing through serious injuries out of fear of losing selection
- Young players enduring verbal abuse and humiliation in the name of “discipline”
- Families unsure where to report harassment, negligence, or unsafe practices
- Retired athletes carrying lifelong physical and psychological damage
What disturbed me most was not just the incidents—but the absence of accountability mechanisms.
Athletes often ask:
- “Who will protect us if something goes wrong?”
- “Where do we go when the system itself is the problem?”
In most cases, there is no clear answer.
That is not acceptable in a nation that aspires to be a global sporting power.
The Hidden Cost of Sporting Ambition
India is investing heavily in sports infrastructure, talent identification, and international performance. This is important and necessary.
But ambition without safety becomes dangerous.
Behind medals and records lie realities we rarely discuss:
- Long-term injuries ignored in early years
- Mental health struggles brushed aside
- Age fraud pressures
- Unsafe training loads
- Harassment and power misuse
- Poor medical oversight
In the absence of strong safeguards, athletes pay the price with their health and dignity.
Safety in Sports Is Not a Luxury
There is a dangerous misconception that safety is a “secondary concern”—something to address only after performance goals are met.
This thinking is flawed.
There is no sustainable excellence without safety.
Sports safety is not only about helmets, mats, or equipment. It includes:
- Physical safety
- Psychological safety
- Emotional well-being
- Ethical conduct
- Medical accountability
- Institutional transparency
Without these, sport becomes exploitation disguised as opportunity.
What Is Missing in the Indian Sports System
- Fragmented Responsibility
Today, athlete safety is scattered across:
- Federations
- Academies
- Coaches
- Event organizers
When responsibility is shared by everyone, it is owned by no one.
Athletes often find themselves trapped in systems where:
- Complaints are handled internally
- Conflicts of interest are ignored
- Power structures silence voices
There is no independent authority dedicated solely to athlete safety.
- No Unified Safety Standards
Training loads, medical protocols, injury management, and mental health support vary drastically across regions and sports.
What is acceptable in one academy may be unsafe in another.
Without national standards:
- Young athletes are exposed to risk
- Parents are left guessing
- Coaches operate without accountability
Safety should not depend on geography or luck.
- Weak Grievance Redressal
Many athletes do not report abuse or neglect because:
- They fear retaliation
- They fear loss of selection
- They fear being labeled “difficult”
A system that cannot protect whistleblowers is not safe—it is intimidating.
- Absence of Athlete-Centric Oversight
Most regulatory mechanisms focus on:
- Events
- Tournaments
- Federations
Very few focus directly on the athlete as a human being.
Athletes need a body that represents their safety, not institutional convenience.
A Conversation That Reinforced My Belief
I once spoke to a young athlete recovering from a serious injury caused by overtraining. When I asked why they didn’t stop earlier, the response was simple:
“If I said no, someone else would take my place.”
That sentence explains why self-regulation will never be enough.
Athletes need systemic protection, not personal bravery.
Why a National Sports Safety Commission Is Essential
India needs a central, independent, empowered authority whose sole mandate is athlete safety and welfare.
Not advisory.
Not ceremonial.
But enforceable and accountable.
What a National Sports Safety Commission Should Do
- Establish National Safety Standards
The commission should:
- Define safe training loads by age and sport
- Mandate injury management protocols
- Set medical and physiotherapy standards
- Enforce mental health support requirements
Safety should be standardized—not optional.
- Protect Athletes’ Physical and Mental Health
The commission must recognize that:
- Mental health is as critical as physical health
- Psychological abuse causes long-term damage
- Burnout is a safety issue, not a weakness
Athlete welfare must be holistic.
- Act as an Independent Grievance Authority
Athletes should have access to:
- Confidential reporting mechanisms
- Protection from retaliation
- Time-bound investigations
- Transparent outcomes
Justice delayed—or denied—destroys trust.
- Monitor Academies, Camps, and Federations
Regular audits should assess:
- Training conditions
- Medical support
- Coach behaviour
- Safeguarding policies
Safety cannot rely on self-certification.
- Educate Stakeholders
The commission should lead nationwide education on:
- Athlete rights
- Injury prevention
- Mental health awareness
- Ethical coaching practices
Prevention is more powerful than punishment.
My Vision for Athlete Safety in India
I envision an India where:
- Athletes feel safe to speak
- Parents trust the system
- Coaches are accountable and supported
- Performance and protection coexist
A National Sports Safety Commission would send a clear message:
Athlete safety is non-negotiable.
Message to Athletes
Your body is not expendable.
Your mental health is not weakness.
Your voice matters.
Demand systems that protect you—not just push you.
Message to Coaches
True excellence is built on trust, not fear.
A safe athlete is a confident athlete.
A confident athlete performs better.
Safety is not the enemy of discipline—it is its foundation.
Message to Institutions and Policymakers
If India wants to be a sporting superpower, it must be a responsible sporting nation.
Medals without ethics are hollow.
Success without safety is temporary.
A National Sports Safety Commission is not an expense—it is an investment in sustainable excellence.
Why Reform Cannot Be Delayed
Every year without reform means:
- More preventable injuries
- More silent trauma
- More lost potential
We cannot wait for tragedies to force change.
Proactive safety is leadership.
Reactive apologies are failure.
My Commitment as a Sports Reformer
As Jatin Tyagi, I commit to:
- Advocating athlete safety as a core reform issue
- Raising awareness across platforms
- Supporting policies that protect athletes
- Challenging systems that normalize harm
This is not activism for attention.
This is reform for accountability.
A Defining Quote
“A nation that dreams of sporting glory must first guarantee sporting safety—because excellence built on neglect never lasts.” — Jatin Tyagi
Conclusion: Safety Is the Foundation of Sporting Excellence
India stands at a critical moment in its sporting journey.
We can choose:
- Short-term success with long-term damage
or - Sustainable excellence built on safety and dignity
A National Sports Safety Commission is not about control.
It is about care.
It is not about slowing sport down.
It is about ensuring sport does not break those who serve it.
If we truly value athletes, we must protect them—not only when they win, but every day they train, compete, and dream.
About the Author
Jatin Tyagi is a sports reformer, activist, and social impact advocate committed to creating ethical, athlete-centered, and mentally resilient sports environments. His work emphasizes youth development, sports integrity, and lasting athlete well-being.
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