Most sporting powers rely on ecosystems that nurture young talent and instil confidence in athletes to compete at the highest level. In India, the creation of such an enabling milieu remains a work in progress. The National Sports Development Fund (NSDF), established in 1998, was conceived as an important step in that direction — to support promising sportspersons, expand access to training facilities and coaching, and help athletes gain crucial international exposure. Over the years, the fund has played a significant role in backing initiatives such as the Target Olympic Podium Scheme. That is why the findings of an investigation by this newspaper are deeply troubling — between 2021 and 2025, more than Rs 6 crore from the........

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