Indian Olympian: Make Sports a Core School Subject

Six out of 10 Indian children have flat feet and knock knees, while one in three struggles with obesity. Even more alarming, 80% of school kids can't run 400 meters without stopping.

These aren't just numbers to P. Gopi Chand. The Olympian and national badminton coach sees them as a wake-up call for India's education system.

Speaking at the Sportstar Focus Bihar Conclave on Sunday, Gopi Chand shared his vision for change. Every child should participate in physical activity, playing multiple sports from age nine through 10th grade.

"Sport needs to be a core subject like mathematics, physics, and chemistry," he said. His dream is simple but powerful: blend education and athletics so they support each other instead of competing for a child's time.

The All-England champion knows that only a tiny fraction of young athletes will turn professional. But that shouldn't stop others from continuing sports as a hobby while pursuing their studies.

He pointed to the Western world as proof it can work. Universities there already offer flexible courses and schedules that let student athletes thrive in both arenas.

India has made progress over the past decade. Government schemes now provide clear pathways for young people who show world-class potential. But Gopi Chand believes the foundation needs to start much earlier, with every child getting the chance to move, play, and discover their physical potential.

The Ripple Effect

This shift could transform more than just report cards. When children grow up viewing physical activity as essential rather than optional, they develop healthier habits that last a lifetime. They learn teamwork, resilience, and discipline alongside their academic subjects.

Universities that embrace flexible scheduling for athletes also create environments where students don't have to choose between their passions and their education. They can pursue both, discovering that physical and mental development strengthen each other.

The changes Gopi Chand envisions would address a growing health crisis while giving millions of children skills they'll carry into adulthood. When a nation prioritizes holistic development, everyone benefits from healthier, more well-rounded citizens.

India's next generation deserves the chance to be strong in body and mind, not forced to pick one over the other.