Olympic Sports Culture: The Citizens’ Role

When we think of the Olympics, we often picture athletes pushing human limits — the sweat, discipline, and glory that come with representing one’s nation on the world stage. But behind every Olympian lies a silent, collective force — the citizens, mentors, educators, and organizers who shape a society’s sporting spirit. This powerful idea came alive during the panel discussion “Olympic Sports Culture: The Citizens’ Role”, hosted at the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB) as part of Sree Vonisha Yuvankalpa, organized by Sree Trust and Vonisha Service Foundation.

At the heart of this well-organized and meaningful event was Dr. (Wg Cdr) A. Nagasubramaniam, whose vision and leadership were instrumental in bringing the program to life at IIM Bangalore. His dedication to promoting a holistic sports culture and his ability to connect diverse minds — from the military, medicine, and academia to entrepreneurship and athletics — turned the event into an inspiring dialogue about India’s Olympic aspirations.

The discussion revolved around how citizens can play an active role in nurturing an Olympic mindset across society — not just cheering athletes during games, but creating an ecosystem that supports their journey from playground to podium.

The panel discussion brought together a group of exceptional individuals who have lived and contributed to India’s sports culture in different ways. Dr. Malathi Holla, a celebrated Para Olympian, and Suganya Ravichandran, a gold-medalist athlete, spoke passionately about determination, discipline, and the everyday challenges faced by athletes. Major General Hari B. Pillai, drawing from his military background, emphasized the importance of structure, leadership, and early talent nurturing in sports.

Saumil Majmudar, founder of Sportz Village and IIMB alumnus, spoke about integrating sports into school education and the need for sports-based life skills from a young age. Dr. Vinay Kumaraswamy, a consultant orthopaedician, highlighted the importance of physical fitness and medical support systems for athletes. Prof. Sourav Mukherji, Dean – Faculty, Alumni Relations & Development at IIMB, added depth to the discussion by exploring how educational institutions can play a crucial role in shaping attitudes toward sports.

The conversation was skillfully moderated by Ravi Shankar, an entrepreneur whose thoughtful questions encouraged practical insights and personal reflections from each speaker. The panelists’ inputs were realistic, deeply grounded in their experiences, and resonated with everyone present — from students to sports enthusiasts.

As the discussion neared its conclusion, the event witnessed a special moment — the arrival of Syed Kirmani, legendary Indian cricketer and member of India’s 1983 World Cup-winning team. His entry brought warmth and nostalgia to the hall. Kirmani presented mementos to all panel speakers, acknowledging their contributions to building India’s sports ecosystem. His presence underscored a vital truth — that sporting glory, whether from cricket or the Olympics, is born not just from talent, but from collective effort and enduring support.

Following this, the audience had the privilege of hearing from Shekar Naik, a Padma Shri awardee and a member of India’s Blind Cricket Team, which made the nation proud by winning the Blind Cricket World Cup. His journey stood as a shining example of courage, perseverance, and inclusion. He reminded everyone that sports is not just about victory — it is about the power to rise above limitations and inspire others to do the same.

The event concluded with a heartfelt Vote of Thanks delivered by Sreenivas Murthy, who expressed gratitude to the distinguished speakers, organizers, and participants. His words captured the essence of the evening — that sports can unite, uplift, and inspire when every citizen chooses to be a stakeholder in the nation’s sporting journey.

The session left a lasting impression on everyone present. It was more than a panel discussion — it was a call to action. The speakers reminded the audience that building an Olympic culture requires citizens who celebrate effort as much as victory, parents who encourage play as much as academics, and communities that recognize sports as an essential part of life.

Thanks to the vision of Dr. (Wg Cdr) A. Nagasubramaniam, the event became a reminder that India’s Olympic dream is not the responsibility of athletes alone — it’s a collective mission of a nation determined to grow stronger, healthier, and more united through sport.