Page 12 - The Indian EYE 071726

Op-Ed JULY 17, 2026 | The Indian Eye 12

How America’s Sports Systems

Build Champions and Industries

Global Sports Mentoring Program alumna Vaidehi Vaidya shares how American schools, sports science,

and professional support systems help build athletes, industries, and community engagement around sports.

SYED SULAIMAN AKHTAR, ing and performance management.
Analysts, psychologists, trainers, and
SPAN Magazine
other experts work alongside coaches
aidehi Vaidya wants Indian to improve athlete performance and
sports professionals to think strengthen the broader sports industry.
Vbeyond medals and matches. “In the United States, the signif-
Speaking to more than 80 athletes, icance of specialized professionals
coaches, trainers, and sports admin- in sports, such as sports analysts and
istrators during a hybrid session in psychologists, is well recognized for
Bhopal organized by U.S. Consulate their positive impact on athlete per-
Mumbai, the Global Sports Mento- formance,” she says. “Coaches ac-
ring Program alumna highlighted knowledge the value these experts add
how American sports systems com- to training and competition, viewing
bine athlete development, science, them as essential members of the ath-
education, and business to build both letic system.”
champions and industries. She added that this collaborative
Her session, titled “America’s approach encourages innovation not
Sports Systems and Pathways Shap- Vaidehi Vaidya only in athlete performance but also
ing Champions and Industries,” in- in the management and organization
troduced participants to how the sports leaders with American men- How America’s sports systems of sports.
United States builds long-term sports tors and institutions to share best integrate schools and colleges “Integrating these professionals
systems through schools, colleges, practices in sports leadership and One of the defining strengths fosters innovation across organization-
professional leagues, and specialized management. of the American model is the strong al, managerial, and technical domains
support networks. Drawing from During the exchange, Vaidya role educational institutions play in within the sports industry,” says Vaidya.
her experience in the United States, observed how research, technical athlete development. Schools and
Vaidya says the success of American expertise, and professional manage- colleges create structured pathways How sports venues support
sports is rooted in systems designed ment work together across the U.S. for athletes while also contributing community engagement
to support athletes at every level. sports sector. The experience of- to the commercial growth of sports. During the Bhopal session,
“The United States adopts a fered insights into how American or- “Integrating sports at both school Vaidya encouraged participants to
three-pronged approach: structured, ganizations build long-term systems and college levels contributes signifi- think about sports as a community ex-
scientific, and professional,” says that support both athletes and sports cantly to athlete development,” she perience and an economic driver, not
Vaidya. “The American sports in- professionals. says. “The sports system in schools only as competition. She discussed
dustry is highly organized. Athletes “Whether in coaching, sports sci- and colleges is well-established and how sports venues in the United States
entering the field typically have a ence, or data analysis, these domains introduces a commercial element. often function as gathering spaces
clear idea of their career path. From are addressed scientifically and sup- Many athletes are selected from col- that bring communities together and
school teams to national leagues, ported by research,” she says. “This lege competitions to participate in na- expand engagement around sports.
there is widespread recognition of methodology contributes to the de- tional leagues, making this system an “My goal was for them to grasp
the importance of performance sci- velopment of robust technical pro- effective feeder for national teams.” how the U.S. school and college sports
ence.” grams and cultivates professionals She also emphasized the impor- system operates,” she says. “I also
The U.S. approach extends be- who demonstrate a high level of ex- tance of access to high-quality infra- wanted them to appreciate the com-
yond athlete training and includes pertise in their respective fields.” structure. Exposure to professional munity dimension of sports, where
long-term investments in infrastruc- The program also gave her op- facilities at an early stage, she says, arenas serve as gathering spaces rather
ture, management, and professional portunities to connect with sports helps athletes prepare for higher lev- than merely stadiums.”
support systems that strengthen the leaders and better understand how els of competition. She says the session also focused
sports industry as a whole. American institutions create net- “The professional-grade sports on the importance of building long-
works that support innovation and facilities available in educational term systems that support sustainable
Global Sports Mentoring professional growth. institutions support this growth and sports development.
Program shares winning “I had the opportunity to con- advancement,” she explains. “I aimed for them to recognize that
strategies nect with prominent leaders, which success in sports relies on established
Vaidya participated in the U.S. significantly influenced my perspec- Sports science and professional systems, understand the shift from
Department of State’s Global Sports tive on personal and professional support focusing solely on Olympic sports to
Mentoring Program, administered growth,” says Vaidya. “The program Beyond facilities and competition fostering sustainable sport ecosystems,
by the University of Tennessee’s enabled me to implement effective pathways, Vaidya says the U.S. system and view sports venues and events
Center for Sport, Peace, and Society. systems that will contribute to estab- stands out for the way it integrates spe- through the lens of community en-
The program connects international lishing a robust business in India.” cialized professionals into athlete train- gagement,” she explains.

www.TheIndianEYE.com