Bengaluru (Karnataka), India, March 15 (ANI): The legendary figure from Indian cricket Virat Kohli has highlighted the importance of joint efforts to turn India into a sporting superpower by 2036.
Speaking at the RCB Innovation Lab Indian Sports Summit, Kohli stressed that education and infrastructure development are crucial to achieving this vision.
The former Royal Challengers Bangalore RCB ) The captain spoke frankly when he addressed the audience as RCB The Innovation Lab Indian Sports Summit, sponsored by Leaders, featured Kohli delivering an extensive speech during a session led by a former English cricket player. Isa Guha And emphasized the significance of moving the emphasis away from celebration and fanaticism towards education and comprehension of different sports.
We aim to make India a sports-forward nation by 2036. As mentioned earlier, we possess both the vision and ongoing preparations. This endeavor calls for joint efforts from all participants—be they infrastructural developers, investors, athletes, or those eager to learn more about sports. Our focus should be on education rather than mere enthusiasm or fandom. For our nation, understanding sports profoundly is crucial. With comprehensive knowledge of sports spreading across the country, the overall experience could improve tenfold compared to current standards, marking significant progress toward achieving our goal of becoming a leading sporting nation. RCB .
In 2008, Kohli made his international debut and set an exemplary standard when discussions about having a more physically fit Indian cricket team emerged.
When queried about his breakthrough moment, the ex-captain elaborated, “It dawned on me that I needed to alter how I prepare myself as an athlete. Starting the following day, I revamped every aspect of my regimen—my nutrition and workouts included. This drive originated internally; nobody compelled me to make these changes. However, leading up to this epiphany, I experienced several challenging international trips. It became clear to me that our underperformance stemmed from being significantly less physically fit compared to opposing teams.”
Even though India currently dominates the world of cricket, Kohli believes that other sports will soon catch up. As the ex-skipper, known for advocating health and fitness within Indian cricket, he spoke about his own evolution. He recounted his realization regarding the importance of improving his physical conditioning and training methods, insights that contributed significantly to his achievements.
He remarked, 'I consistently believed that if I didn’t aim really high, I wouldn’t challenge myself enough to surpass my own boundaries. Therefore, I strived to become the best because once you reach that pinnacle, every solution seems to fall into place, which indeed turned out to be true for me.'
Kohli promoted a strong sporting ecosystem in India by advocating for open dialogues about athletics. He underscored the necessity of grasping the regulations, appreciating athletes' journeys, and fostering continuous improvement across all sports disciplines. Additionally, he underlined the critical role of women’s sports, pointing out the substantial skill present within the nation.
Having discussions about sports is crucial. Questions like what the regulations entail and the experiences of athletes should be explored. This initiative must evolve into a comprehensive program benefiting every sport. It needs to foster an inclusive sporting environment for everybody. Female participation plays a significant role in this landscape, extending beyond just cricket to encompass all other sports as well,” he further stated. (ANI)
