Two hundred million Indians are inactive based on WHO recommendations, which call for 150 minutes (about 2.5 hours) of activity per week for adults and 420 minutes (about 7 hours) for children and adolescents. The inactivity gap is even more pronounced in urban areas and among women and girls.

Dalberg’s State of Sports and Physical Activity (SAPA) report, developed in collaboration with Sports and Society Accelerator and supported by Omidyar Network India and the Ajit Isaac Foundation, reveals the transformative potential of sports and physical activity for India and explores pathways to encourage the transition towards a more active India.

As the first granular baseline study of its kind in India, the report highlights the stark reality that only 10% of Indian adults engage in sports, with women and girls, especially in urban areas, facing significant barriers to participation.

The findings are clear: a fully active India by 2047 could bring immense benefits, including:

• GDP boost of over USD 185 billion annually
• Prevention of 110 million non-communicable disease (NCD) cases
• Healthcare savings of around USD 400 billion

The report also states that 11 million girls could engage in sports for the first time, building confidence and potentially leading to the creation of 600,000 women entrepreneurs and leaders. These gains are not just physical but societal, with far-reaching economic and gender equity implications.

The report offers practical solutions that highlight the importance of smart coordination, policies, and incentives rather than large upfront investments. It suggests that while some fundamental changes to urban design, public infrastructure, and schools will be required, many of these solutions are likely to pay for themselves several times over.

Dalberg invites you to explore the opportunities and challenges outlined in this report and discover the transformative potential of SAPA. This report aims to not only spark conversations but also inspire actionable steps toward building a fully active India, unlocking SAPA’s potential to improve the nation’s health, economy, and society.

Explore the full report here: State of Sports And Physical Activity (SAPA) Report

For more information about the report, please reach out to:

Read about the report in the news:

1. The Times of India
2. The Economic Times India
3. VIDEO | Mirror Now India
4. The Telegraph India