Speaking with the media, national chief athletics coach Bahadur Singh voiced his desire for every Indian institution to have dedicated sports facilities. This plea was directed toward Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju and relevant authorities as Singh's term of office concluded. He maintains that with adequate playing spaces for children, India's inherent talent could propel the nation to the top of the world athletics rankings.
During a virtual send-off organized by the Athletics Federation of India (AFI), Singh highlighted that the emergence of future stars like PT Usha and Hima Das depends on schools providing playgrounds. The video call featured several high-profile guests, including Kiren Rijiju and celebrated athletes Anju Bobby George and PT Usha.
Singh drew a comparison with the Chinese education system, where students engage in three hours of daily physical training and receive nutritional support. He emphasized that such a dedicated approach to youth sports is the secret to other countries' success. In contrast, he lamented that India has neglected this area, mentioning that some schools lack any space for students to play. He concluded that for India to truly leverage its athletic potential and become a global leader, investing in school sports infrastructure is non-negotiable.
Additionally, Singh urged administrators to invest in indoor training centers. This would allow athletes to keep training during poor weather conditions without having to fly abroad. He pointed out that the federation spends a significant amount of money sending athletes overseas when the local climate is unfavorable. By establishing high-quality indoor facilities, Singh believes India can become self-sufficient and cut down on these costly international trips.
Attributing India's sporting progress to a collective effort, Singh credited the synergy between coaches, athletes, SAI, AFI, and the Sports Ministry rather than taking the credit himself. Notably, Bahadur Singh was awarded the Padma Shri by the government in 1983.