The panel brought together an impressive group of individuals, including Paralympian Manisha Ramadass, former Olympian Hakim Habibullah, Sujit Sen (father of athlete Tilottama), Vishal Jaison from Baseline Ventures, Nikhil Kaushal of Ecosystem Ventures, and Amit Malik of the Abhinav Bindra Foundation Trust. Together, they shared their personal stories, highlighting how grassroots programs play a crucial role in developing qualities like resilience, discipline, and teamwork, all of which are vital for nurturing athletic talent and excellence.

Ramadass’s performance at the Paris Paralympics was a reflection of her unwavering commitment and hard work, which spanned from the grassroots to the senior level. Looking back on her journey, she remarked: “Paris was incredibly special for me. I never expected to win a medal; my focus was simply on giving my best in every match and every point. Winning was an unexpected bonus. All the hard work and dedication paid off. The competition was tough, especially facing the Chinese and French on their home turf. It wasn’t easy—months before, I had to cancel my tournaments and train without skipping a single session.”

After listening to the athletes’ experiences, Kaushal shared his perspective from the other side of the field: “Attracting private players to grassroots sports isn’t challenging. Sport isn’t just a lifestyle choice; it’s a life decision. The pursuit of excellence and the sense of achievement it brings are what matter most. As grassroots sports grow, more private organizations will get involved. People from smaller towns and districts are increasingly participating in sports. ‘Sports For All’ has become an inspiration for many. The talent pool is expanding, and this is the direction we need to move in to identify future stars.”