One India, One Goal: How Siddhartha Upadhyay Is Reshaping Grassroots Sports

In a nation where cricket chants echo louder than school bells and politics often takes centre stage, there are a few who see beyond the headlines. Siddhartha Upadhyay is one of them. To him, sport isn’t just a game. It’s a philosophy. A civic sermon. A tool for transformation.

As the Founder and President of STAIRS (Society for Transformation, Inclusion and Recognition through Sports), he has spent 25 years chasing a singular dream: to give every child in India the Right to Play. From the narrow lanes of Majnu Ka Tila to sprawling public parks in rural Bihar, STAIRS has reached over 500 districts, nurturing athletes, fostering community spirit, and more importantly, offering hope.

In this interview, Upadhyay speaks about grassroots sports, social equity, Olympic ambitions and why India’s real medal potential begins with a decent neighborhood park.

What was the original spark that led you to start STAIRS?

It’s actually very simple. No one has to be inspired to play, play is natural. It unifies people without needing conversation, reason or ideology. I saw this as a kid and a teen, the joy, the discipline and the silent togetherness sport brings. When I was finally in a position to contribute, I knew I would use sports as a tool to bring communities together and catalyze social growth.

Can you share a moment that captures the transformative power of sport?

Absolutely. One that comes to mind is from Majnu Ka Tila in Delhi, often stereotyped as a troubled area. Years ago, I saw children playing what looked like volleyball with their feet in a tiny DDA park. It turned out to be Sepak Takraw, the national sport of Malaysia. Many of these kids, including some from the Tibetan community, were excelling at it. We supported the initiative. Within a few years, that same ghetto-like space produced three international players who represented India. And there are hundreds of such stories across the country, stories of sport becoming a ladder out of obscurity.

India is often said to be obsessed with Bollywood, politics and cricket. Is that perception changing when it comes to sports diversity?

It was always just a perception. The narrative was shaped by a few cities with access to media and communication. But India has always been much more than Delhi or Mumbai. From Srinagar to Salem, you will find kids who are brilliant footballers, runners or experts in traditional games like Mallakhamb or Stapu. The issue wasn’t talent, it was infrastructure and visibility. Now that’s beginning to shift. We are finally hearing those unheard stories because support systems are catching up.

Despite sports being a part of the curriculum for decades, talent identification has remained inconsistent. What’s your assessment of the Indian sports ecosystem?

We are not doing enough. Let’s be honest. Our journey in the Olympics spans 124 years. Out of roughly 35,000 medals distributed globally in that time, India has just 41. That’s shocking for a country that represents one-fifth of the world’s population.

The turning point came in 2014 when Prime Minister Narendra Modi made sports a national agenda. Before that, federations and local bodies weren't functional or accountable. I launched STAIRS in 2000 and until 2012-13, no other organization was talking about grassroots sports seriously. Now things are changing, but it’s just the beginning.

So what does transformation look like in grassroots sports post-2014?

We have seen progress, no doubt. But I wouldn’t call it a transformation yet. You have to understand that sports operate on three levels, grassroots, amateur and professional. Right now, these layers are cannibalizing each other. We need synergy.

Grassroots is where a child plays in the local park. Amateur is where the business of sport, franchises, merchandise and spectatorship starts taking root. And professional sport involves global competition and national representation. These three need to work seamlessly, but our administrative framework hasn’t caught up yet.

You have been a consistent voice for the 'Right to Play.' How does that shape your work at STAIRS?

Our full name, Society for Transformation, Inclusion and Recognition through Sports, says it all. Every child should have the right to play. Just like water and air. Depriving a child or even a pet of the space to run, laugh and grow is like choking their spirit.

This isn’t rocket science. This is basic biology and sociology. Creating safe, hygienic, inclusive spaces for children to play should be a priority for both government and society.

Let's talk about infrastructure. Where do we stand and what’s needed?

Infrastructure doesn’t only mean world-class stadiums. It means decent parks within 300 meters of every child’s home. It means working toilets, medical aid, security and vigilant maintenance.

Yes, stadiums for international events are important, but that’s entertainment. The real game is at the grassroots level. That’s where governments, municipalities and self-help groups must step up. Civil society has to participate actively. Otherwise, we are just building podiums without athletes.

We are seeing increasing corporate involvement in sports. Is that influencing the culture positively?

Yes, very positively. The entry of companies like Reliance, JSW and Vedanta has brought funding, data and serious intent. But this didn’t happen just because people like me kept shouting. The government had to show intent first. When leadership makes sports a national priority, it opens the doors for business too.

And look at the outcomes, sports is now seen as a viable career, a community builder and an economic opportunity. That's a huge cultural shift.

In 2023, you launched 'One India, One Goal.' What was the inspiration behind it?

We realized that development in sports was becoming fragmented and territorial. So many were jumping in without preparation, sometimes even blocking others.

‘One India, One Goal’ promotes decentralized governance in sports. Anyone can participate as long as they follow some basic rules. We want to create a national ecosystem where everyone, NGOs, citizens, private bodies, can contribute to the Olympic dream and to genuine sports-led transformation.

What’s next for STAIRS? What can we expect in the coming years?

We are working on a more quantifiable reward structure so participants, whether they’re athletes, businesses, or supporters, can track impact: growth in performance, alignment with government goals amd increased public engagement.

Also, we are going international. Recently, when New Zealand PM Christopher Luxon visited India, we played a symbolic street cricket match together with Kapil Dev, Ross Taylor and Ajaz Patel. It became global news. That’s the kind of storytelling we need. Simple acts. Big intent.

We are also expanding our Ebel Awards, which this year honored names like PT Usha and Vijay Goel. We want to continue contributing not just within India but globally, building recognition for grassroots efforts that spark real change.