Despite the common perception of sports as a unifying force across diverse backgrounds, identities, and beliefs, the reality reveals insufficient inclusivity and representation. Barriers persist, limiting the participation, employment, or leadership of individuals from various groups like women, ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, and others.
Join us in examining the significance of diversity and inclusion in sports employment, exploring the advantages and challenges of their promotion, and discovering best practices and examples for sports organizations and employers to nurture a more inclusive culture.
- Performance Enhancement: Diverse perspectives foster innovation, creativity, and problem-solving within sports teams and organizations.
- Wider Reach: Inclusive representation attracts diverse fan bases, sponsors, and markets, amplifying the impact of sports.
- Sustainability: Inclusion leads to a broader talent pool, fostering growth and innovation in sports.
- Enhanced Performance: Improved productivity and team dynamics.
- Reputation Building: Bolstered brand image and societal impact.
- Financial Growth: Increased revenue, market share, and profitability.
- Resistance and Backlash: Pushback from individuals uncomfortable with change.
- Biases and Stereotypes: Addressing prejudices affecting recruitment and evaluation.
- Managing Interactions: Navigating conflicts arising from diverse backgrounds.
- Resource Allocation: Providing ample support for diversity initiatives.
- Measuring Impact: Demonstrating the outcomes of inclusion efforts.
- The Indian sports industry, valued at USD 9 billion presently ( revenues and not valuation) , showcases a diverse landscape. A notable share, roughly USD 3 billion, is linked to cricket, covering the BCCI, IPL franchises, and sponsorships from entities such as Jio and Hotstar. Another substantial segment, accounting for USD 4 billion, arises from sports goods' manufacturing, domestic sales, and exports. Additionally, initiatives by SAI, central and state expenditures, allocate USD 0.5 billion to support the sports ecosystem. Further, sports-related services like sports science, medicine, technology, and fantasy apps contribute USD 1.5 billion to the industry.
- Diversification Beyond Cricket: Pushing for a more balanced viewership and participation across sports, especially football.
- Increased Government Investment: Doubling central and state funding to drive growth and efficiency.
- Multifaceted Growth Approach: Prioritizing growth in various sports and sports-related services for an inclusive sports ecosystem.
