Roots Foundation

How Sports Help Young Athletes Grow and Succeed

Sports have always played a vital role in the growth of young people, especially in a country like India, where a large portion of the population is under 25 years old.

Author Prashasti Yadav

Sports have always played a vital role in the growth of young people, especially in a country like India, where a large portion of the population is under 25 years old. Sports teach discipline, teamwork, and resilience, skills that go far beyond the playing field.

Yet, many youth sports programs today focus mainly on competition and winning, losing sight of the long-term developmental benefits that young athletes can gain.

The numbers are worrying. According to a recent study, 14.4 million children in India are now categorized as overweight or obese, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Another study also highlighted that 78% of children in India are not meeting the recommended levels of physical activity, leading to increased risks of health problems later in life.

But the benefits of sports go beyond just health. Research shows that children involved in structured sports activities are more likely to perform better academically and develop critical life skills. Despite this, many Indian youth sports programs lack the infrastructure, trained coaches, and holistic approach needed to support the full development of young athletes.

This leads us to a key question, how can these programs be designed or optimized to ensure they maximize the developmental benefits for young athletes?

Physical Growth and Staying Healthy

The benefits of sports for youth are immediately visible in their physical development. Regular participation in sports enhances muscle strength, endurance, and cardiovascular fitness. Studies have shown that regular participation in sports can lower the risk of obesity, diabetes, and other chronic conditions.

Programs like Sports Lab, a grassroots initiative targeting schools in Punjab and Haryana, are designed to address these very issues. The program offers structured fitness routines in the morning and sport-specific skills training in the evening, focusing not just on competition but on long-term physical and mental well-being.

Since its launch, Sports Lab has impacted over 7,000 students in underprivileged communities, improving their overall physical health and instilling lifelong habits of staying active.

Moreover, modern training methods and resources provided by initiatives like Utkarsh – Centre of Excellence ensure that young athletes are equipped with not only physical training but also the right nutrition and mental fitness guidance, helping them develop holistically. Programs like these ensure that young athletes build a solid foundation for lifelong physical well-being while also reducing their risks of chronic illnesses as they grow older.

Learning to Work with Others

Sports for development is also a lot about teaching young athletes how to work with others. Whether it’s in team sports like soccer or individual sports like tennis, athletes learn communication, cooperation, and how to share responsibilities with teammates. These skills translate into broader life skills, preparing young people to work effectively in school, future jobs, and social environments.

As we mentioned above, initiatives like Sports Lab are designed with this in mind. For example, the program’s structured coaching, led by experienced national-level coaches, emphasizes cooperation over individual competition.

Take the story of Neha, a footballer from Haryana, whose journey under the guidance of Coach Narendra exemplifies how these programs foster teamwork. Through collective training and shared goals, Neha and her peers learned not just how to win matches, but how to work together to achieve common objectives​.

Building Confidence and Self-Esteem

One of the most profound benefits of sports for youth is the development of confidence and self-esteem.

Achieving personal milestones, whether mastering a new technique or performing well in a competition, instills a sense of accomplishment. Initiatives like the Vision Football Academy (VFA) play a vital role in building confidence among young athletes.

VFA has trained over 1,000 children, focusing on their personal growth as much as their physical skills. The academy’s emphasis on nurturing players at the grassroots level has helped over 20 athletes advance to state and national levels, showing how sports can fuel self-confidence.

Moreover, community-driven efforts like those at the Arandkhera Khel Maidan in Kota offer young athletes the space to practice and develop their abilities. Here, athletes from various villages come together not only to compete but to support each other, growing their confidence as they see progress in their skills.

Learning Discipline and Responsibility

Sports demand discipline, structure, and accountability. Athletes must adhere to rigorous training schedules, follow game rules, and make sacrifices to balance their commitments.

Programs like the Sports For All in Alwar and Greater Noida are great examples of how structured sports training instills discipline. By providing expert coaching and setting clear goals for athletes in cricket, athletics, and hockey, the program ensures that participants learn the importance of discipline early on.

Coaches guide young athletes not only on improving their performance but also on staying accountable for their actions on and off the field.

Preparing for the Future

For many young athletes, sports pave the way for future educational and career opportunities. Whether through scholarships or exposure to professional-level coaching, sports can open doors that may otherwise remain closed.

For example, the Utkarsh Centre of Excellence in Jharkhand identifies and nurtures top talent, providing holistic development, including academic support, for students showing athletic promise. The program ensures that these athletes are not only prepared for sports careers but also for academic success, equipping them with the tools they need for a well-rounded future.

Similarly, initiatives like Hindustan Football Club’s Centre of Excellence in Uttar Pradesh provide state-of-the-art residential facilities where young footballers receive top tier coaching and academic mentoring. These programs highlight how sports can be a pathway to success, offering long-term career opportunities, not just in athletics but in various professional fields​.

Conclusion

Sports offer much more than physical fitness, they shape young people into well-rounded individuals ready to face life’s challenges. From building confidence to teaching teamwork and discipline, sports help young athletes develop the skills they need to succeed on and off the field.

The importance of sports in youth development lies in its ability to foster a holistic sense of growth, equipping young people with the tools they need for a bright and successful future.

FAQs

How do sports help kids grow physically?

Sports support physical growth by strengthening muscles, improving cardiovascular health, and enhancing motor skills. Engaging in sports also helps reduce the risk of obesity and promotes healthy bone development​.

What life skills do kids learn from playing sports?

Children learn key life skills such as teamwork, discipline, resilience, leadership, and problem-solving. These skills are not only beneficial in sports but are also crucial for success in academic and professional environments​.

How can sports help prepare kids for the future?

By fostering traits like perseverance, grit, and responsibility, sports prepare young people for future academic, professional, and personal challenges. Sports can also open doors to scholarships and career opportunities​.

What are the long-term health benefits of playing sports?

Long-term health benefits of sports include improved cardiovascular health, reduced risk of chronic diseases, better weight management, and enhanced mental health​.

How can parents and communities support kids in sports?

Parents and communities can support youth sports by providing access to sports programs, encouraging participation, and fostering an environment that prioritizes personal development over competition​.

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Sahil Sharma

 

With a Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture from Maharishi Markandeshwar University and currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Environmental Science, Sahil is an Agriculturist committed to leveraging his skills and experience for organizational success. His passion lies in Sustainable Agriculture, and he is dedicated to driving positive change in farming practices.
Throughout his career, Sahil has excelled in promoting Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and raising awareness about Crop Residue Management (CRM). His expertise encompasses various aspects of agriculture, including crop maintenance, agronomy, organic farming, beekeeping, and rural development.
Currently, Sahil is actively involved in implementing Agriculture strategies across four Haryana districts, namely Jind, Sonipat, Hisar, and Fatehabad, implementing innovative and sustainable agricultural solutions.

Dr. Vinod Aggarwal

Dr Vinod Aggarwal is a 1980-batch Indian Administrative Services (IAS) officer who retired as Secretary of the Government of India. His last posting was Secretary, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India. Prior to joining the Indian Administrative Services, he completed his MBBS from AIIMS. He has also graduated in International Trade from Australia and recently completed a PG Diploma in Geriatric Medicine. Post-retirement, he has been associated with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) as a Rapporteur, where he is evaluating various government-run programs like ICDS, MGNREGA, etc. His passion lies in designing innovative solutions that assist specially abled individuals. He is pioneering a telemedicine venture to make healthcare more accessible, especially for people living in rural areas.

Adwait Nautiyal

Adwait Nautiyal

Adwait Nautiyal is an accomplished professional with a robust background in Communication Design and Brand Marketing. With a Bachelor's degree in Fashion Communication from NIFT and an MBA in Digital Marketing from MICA, he brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the field. Adwait has successfully designed and led digital campaigns in the beauty and fashion industries, and has developed comprehensive communication strategies for the retail sector. His passion for sustainability and circular economies drives his approach to marketing, ensuring that his strategies are not only innovative but also environmentally conscious. Adwait believes that the role of a marketeer extends beyond brand building to include a commitment to safeguarding our people and planet. His work reflects a harmonious blend of creativity, strategic thinking, and a deep sense of responsibility.

Shekhar Anand

Shekhar Anand, with an M.Sc from the London School of Economics, UK, and a postgraduate diploma in Rural Development from India, boasts extensive experience with organizations like Oxfam, CARE, CIDA, and national governments across South and East Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and ex-Soviet countries. Formerly based in the UK for over eight years as Global Advisor Resilient Livelihoods, he specializes in leading economic justice, food security, and gender value chain development programs. With a strong background in managing large-scale initiatives on sustainable economic and social development, livelihood recovery, and private sector engagement, Shekhar is also dedicated to supporting young adults with mental health conditions and advocates for Autism awareness through his son's journey.

AP Sinha

A.P. Sinha

A.P. Sinha has more than 20years of experience in the agribusiness domain in Asia, Africa, and Europe, as well as global conglomerates and start-ups. A Dairy Technologist from the National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI) – Karnal, AP has a PG Diploma in Business Management from the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ahmedabad. In the past, AP has headed marketing and sales functions for prominent agri-input companies like Bayer, P.I. Industries, etc. He has also worked with McCormick (World’s largest spices, seasoning and flavour conglomerate), where he was instrumental in launching McCormick products in India. He has worked as a supplier to many corporates in their agri-supply chain ventures – Mahindra Shubh Labh, ITC e-Choupal, etc. AP has overseen, as CEO, the setting up of India’s largest integrated (from grass to glass) dairy project. AP is currently working on a farm-to-fork food supply venture.

Ritwik Bahuguna

Ritwik Bahuguna

Founder and General Secretary

Ritwik has 15 years of experience in the global agribusiness and sports industries. In the past decade and a half, Ritwik has collaborated closely with the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Government of India, contributing to the drafting and updating of guidelines for flagship schemes like Mega Food Parks and Integrated Cold Chain, as well as participating in the formulation of the 12th Plan Document for the food processing sector's development. Furthermore, he has served as an advisor to numerous central and provincial governments across Asia and Africa, assisting in policy formulation, and consulted for the World Bank Group on agribusiness and dairy development initiatives in India and Africa.

Ritwik has played a pivotal role in establishing some of India's most successful mega food parks and large-scale food processing units while driving market expansion and business growth for leading FMCG companies. As a former national-level football player and an economist by training, Ritwik ensures that his entrepreneurial ventures prioritize business growth and social impact.

Ridhima Bahuguna

Ridhima Bahuguna

Founder and President

With over 10 years of experience in the textile and apparel sector in India and the United Kingdom, Ridhima is a seasoned textile designer currently employed at one of India's leading luxury design brands. Her expertise stems from training at renowned institutions like the London Business School (Creative Entrepreneurship) and Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design, University of Arts London (Future Textiles), following her graduation from the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), New Delhi in textile designing. Ridhima has held roles at prominent Indian brands such as Fab India, Satya Paul, and Taurus Exports/Address Home, where she contributed to product development, sourcing, designing, branding, and marketing. Additionally, Ridhima has been empanelled as a Designer at the Ministry of Textiles (MoT) since 2008, overseeing integrated design projects and collaborating with artisans and craftsmen nationwide. She has actively participated in MoT schemes and conducted workshops and seminars to promote the Government of India's skill development initiatives in the textile sector.

Anmol Pandey

Anmol Pandey

Head – Finance

Anmol is a Financial/Accounting professional with over 10 years of experience. He possesses multiple skills covering many financial areas, such as laws, cost control principles, ledger analysis, financial statements, budgeting, taxation and economic regulations. Superior analytical skills with expertise in transaction/workflow details in support of process and profit improvement.
Anmol obtained his undergraduate degree from Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University, Kanpur, and pursued his postgraduate studies at Symbiosis Institute of Management Studies, Pune.

Trapti Moonat

Trapti Moonat

Head – Programs & Partnerships

Trapti is a development professional with multidisciplinary work experience in banking, corporate social responsibility (CSR), and business development. She has extensively worked in the research and development of Agri-lending policies for Agri-processing and Agri-input companies under priority sector lending for India. She has over 7 years of experience working with companies such as Axis Bank, WWF – India, and Roots Foundation in significant roles.
She completed her Postgraduate Diploma from the Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM, Bhopal) and a postgraduate diploma certification in Digital Marketing from Mudra Institute of Communications, Ahmedabad (MICA). Trapti is passionate about driving positive change for the underprivileged sections of society, with a focus on fostering sustainable development.

Vidula Chopra

Vidula Chopra

Program Manager

Vidula is a former Gandhi fellow who has worked extensively in aspirational districts in Jharkhand in the education sector. Her areas of expertise include community engagement, education, gender, and women’s empowerment.
She holds a graduate degree in Business Economics from the University of Delhi and a Master’s degree in Gender Studies from Ambedkar University, Delhi.

Bhoop Singh

Bhoop Singh

Program Manager

Bhoop possesses nearly six years of hands-on experience within the development sector across Haryana, Punjab, and Rajasthan. His proficiency primarily revolves around executing development initiatives in agriculture, education, sports, and healthcare domains. He is equipped with an M. Tech. in Electronics and an MBA in Marketing Management, underlining his academic prowess and professional versatility.

Debolina Ghosh

Senior Program Manager

Debolina Ghosh is a development professional, with a decade of experience working in the social sector. She has collaborated across different organizations ranging from local NGOs, International NGOs, and the CSR wing of the corporate organization. She has worked with diverse stakeholders and beneficiaries on managing and leading robust and large-scale employability, skills development, and entrepreneurship programs.
Further her education in Political Theory from DU and a specialization in Women Studies from TISS, Mumbai have given her added impetus to analyze and study the development issues from a gendered lens and lay a critical framework thus challenging the existing structure towards equity and empowerment of the disadvantaged.

Prashasti Yadav

Prashasti Yadav

Assistant Manager – Communications

With 4 years of experience in the development sector, Prashastiis a branding and communication professional. She has demonstrated proficiency in formulating comprehensive 360-degree communication plans designed to enhance awareness, foster engagement, and showcase impactful outcomes.
During her tenure with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and L&T, she has gained experience in stakeholder mapping and the strategic execution of communication plans. Her journey in the sector encompasses diverse areas such as CSR, Geriatric Social Work, Correctional Social Work, and Psychiatric Social Work, enabling her to bring to light the complexities of the development sector from the margins to the mainstream.

Anamika
Anamika

Anamika focuses on creating engaging and informative agricultural content aimed at benefiting farmers. Her primary responsibilities encompass data management, analysis, research, and content creation, all geared towards assisting farmers in making informed decisions and optimizing their yields and income. 

Anamika holds a Bachelor's degree in Agriculture and a postgraduate diploma in Food Safety and Quality Management. She had been actively engaged in the agriculture sector, collaborating closely with farmers and stakeholders.

Anirudh Singare

Anirudh Singare

Program Manager

Anirudh Singare, a seasoned development professional, started his journey in the social development while pursuing Gandhi Fellowship by Piramal Foundation. During this tenure, Anirudh spearheaded two pilot projects focused on equipping senior secondary students in government schools in Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan, with essential life and entrepreneurship skills in alignment with the PISA framework.
Subsequently, Anirudh's expertise earned him the role of National Specialist UNV for a flagship initiative led by UNDP and the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India. His responsibilities as a District Youth Officer at NYKS Sarguja, Chhattisgarh, included fostering inclusive youth engagement and advocacy by establishing Sports Youth Clubs.

Vijay Singh

Vijay Singh

Vijay has over 21 years of working experience in different capacities in the voluntary, humanitarian as well as the private sector. Vijay holds a Post Graduate Diploma in CSR & Sustainability from the Swedish Institute, Stockholm. An M.A. in Public Administration and a Post Graduate Diploma in International Human Rights Law from The Indian Academy of International Law & Diplomacy.
Vijay has worked with the voluntary sector in Canada, U.K. and India. In the CSR Domain, Vijay has worked as Lead CSR with Times Group, DLF Ltd and Sahara Group as CEO for Sahara Welfare Foundation and now with PI Industries Ltd and the likes.