“Nothing Against Cricketers, Treat All Sports Equally”: Chirag Shetty’s Powerful Plea for Sports Equity

It’s time to level the playing field. That’s the message Indian badminton star Chirag Shetty delivered with his recent powerful statement about the need for greater sports equality in India. Speaking candidly, Shetty stated, “Nothing against cricketers, but we need to treat all sports equally.”

Shetty’s words resonated with many. He’s not alone in feeling that cricket often overshadows other sports in India, despite the nation’s success in badminton, hockey, and other disciplines.

Let’s look at the numbers:

• Cricket receives a staggering 90% of India’s total sports sponsorship. This leaves other sports struggling for funding and recognition.

• The Indian Premier League (IPL), India’s premier cricket league, is a behemoth, generating billions of rupees in revenue and commanding primetime TV slots.

• Meanwhile, other sports struggle to gain traction. Even the Pro Kabaddi League, another successful league, battles for visibility and sponsorships.

The lack of equitable treatment impacts athletes like Shetty in several ways:

• Limited funding: This restricts access to quality training facilities, coaches, and opportunities for international exposure.

• Lack of media attention: Sports like badminton get far less media coverage, making it difficult to build a fan base and attract sponsors.

• Disparity in prize money: The income gap between cricketers and athletes in other sports is stark, discouraging young talent from pursuing alternative sports.

Shetty’s statement is not just a call for change; it’s a call for action. He highlights the need for:

• Increased government funding for all sports: This will allow athletes to compete on a global level.

• Greater media coverage for non-cricket sports: This will help build audiences and attract sponsorships.

• Fairer distribution of resources: This will ensure a level playing field for all athletes.

We need to move beyond the “cricket-centric” mindset. India has a rich sporting heritage, and it’s time to nurture all its sporting gems. Shetty’s words are a powerful reminder that sports are not just about winning; they are about creating opportunities for everyone, regardless of the sport they play.

Keywords:

• Chirag Shetty

• Sports equality

• India

• Cricket

• Badminton

• Funding

• Media coverage

• Prize money

• Sports development

• Athlete

• Sports sponsorship