The Academy of Family Physicians of India (AFPI) has unveiled a significant white paper titled "Building a Healthy Nation: A White Paper on Olympic Sports and the Indian Education System." Authored by Dr. Raman Kumar, the document addresses systemic issues affecting India's Olympic performance and advocates for reforms to embed sports more deeply into the educational framework.

Dr. Raman Kumar, a leading family physician and the National President of AFPI, underscores the necessity of a balanced approach to education that gives sports equal importance alongside academics. "While India’s education system has successfully produced top global corporate leaders, our performance in Olympic sports has been less impressive. This white paper organizes existing knowledge and debates about India’s sporting performance in the context of our education culture," Dr. Kumar said.

The white paper identifies several challenges impeding India's sports sector, including inadequate infrastructure, limited access to quality coaching, and funding shortages. It argues that Olympic sports should be treated with the same importance as academic subjects within the Indian education system. Specifically, it proposes that sports like football be integrated as mainstream academic disciplines, with qualifications equivalent to subjects such as mathematics and science.

Dr. Kumar emphasizes, "To unlock the full potential of sports in schools, it is crucial to address these challenges and foster an environment that values both academic and athletic excellence. This effort needs collaboration among schools, educational institutions, the government, sports organizations, corporate sponsors, and the community."

The white paper draws comparisons between the sports and education sectors, suggesting that a balanced approach could yield success in both areas. "Our educational institutions have nurtured exceptional minds who have excelled worldwide. By incorporating sports into our education system, we could achieve similar success in sports, producing both scholars and world-class athletes," Dr. Kumar added.

The document also addresses the impact of cricket's dominance on other sports, the decline of rural sports culture, and the societal stereotypes affecting athletes in the education system. It highlights the economic benefits a strong sports culture could bring to India.

As part of its call to action, the white paper recommends establishing a National Sports Open School Examination Board (NSOSEB) and a National Sports Open University (NSOU) to create flexible, athlete-friendly educational systems. It also proposes a National Sportsperson Social Security Scheme (NSSS) to ensure comprehensive support for athletes through legislative measures.

Dr. Vandana Boobna Agarwal, National Secretary of AFPI and Consultant Preventive Health at Max Hospitals Shalimar Bagh, Delhi, noted that the white paper represents a major step toward transforming India’s approach to sports and education, aiming to foster a healthier and more dynamic nation.

The white paper is available online for public review and feedback. AFPI invites all stakeholders to engage in this crucial discussion. For more information and access to the document, visit the AFPI website.