Sania Calls for Athletes Leading in Indian Sports Bodies

Former Indian Tennis star Sania Mirza during her media interaction respond to the National Sports Government (NSG) Act. She emphasized that the act would allow the eminent former athletes to take administrative roles as well as stated that this reform significantly help to bring the long-awaited improvements in the Indian Tennis and overall sports governance.

Sania said that players who have played professionally carry firsthand experience with lack of infrastructure, athlete support gaps and developmental roadblocks. So, they better understand the inefficiencies and challenges of system and can contribute in better decision making than those with bureaucratic knowledge.

Her statements indicate towards the possible shift in Indian sports government which are often criticized for limited athlete representation. Moreover, the athlete led leadership could also play the crucial role in solving real challenges and improving transparency, policy execution, and long-term player’s welfare in the Indian sports bodies. Sania highlighted that such structural change could also help regain the international competitiveness in Indian tennis.

The time has witnessed a significant transformation of Sania’s role from champion athlete to influential sports reform advocate during her post-retirement years. She has been consistently focusing on sports development initiatives after her retirement as she earlier launched “The Next Set” programme in order to support women athletes with professional mentorship and training.