India is looking for the next generation of athletes — but is a talent hunt enough?
With the government now talking about identifying sporting talent among children aged 5–15 for the 2036 Olympics, I’m curious about what people think.
Odisha is a good example of what can happen when a state consistently invests in a sport — especially hockey — along with stadiums, training facilities and infrastructure for athletes.
So my question is:
Should India focus more on building sports infrastructure at the state/district level and creating long-term training systems, rather than just conducting nationwide talent hunts?
And if Odisha's approach to supporting hockey and developing sporting infrastructure were replicated across other states, which sports do you think each state could realistically become a powerhouse in?
Would love to hear opinions, especially from people involved in sports or who have seen the situation at the grassroots level.