The countdown of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics has begun. South Asia finds itself at a critical juncture, presented with a substantial chance to improve its athletic prowess and produce its own iconic sports figures, comparable to the likes of Michael Phelps and Caeleb Dressel. The Olympics, scheduled to commence on July 14, 2028, and conclude on July 30, 2028, are anticipated to be a magnificent worldwide commemoration of exceptional athletic prowess and sportsmanship. Considering the relatively modest success of South Asian countries at the 2024 Olympics, where they only managed to win a single gold medal in javelin, it is imperative to prioritize strategic planning and investment in order to enhance their performance by 2028.

Michael Phelps and Caeleb Dressel provide important insights for South Asia's sports development strategy. Michael Phelps, renowned for his exceptional career, serves as a standard of excellence in the realm of swimming. The athlete's ability to compete in various events such as the individual medley, freestyle, and butterfly, along with his remarkable collection of 28 Olympic medals—23 gold, 3 silver, and 2 bronze—highlight the significance of rigorous and systematic training, as well as unwavering dedication. Throughout his professional journey, he participated in five consecutive Olympics and achieved phenomenal success in various Olympics and World Championships, accumulating an impressive tally of 82 medals. His accomplishments serve as evidence of the significance of consistent exceptional performance and comprehensive support structures in the field of sports.

Equally, Caeleb Dressel, a contemporary swimming prodigy, showcased unmatched skill by securing 7 gold medals at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and 6 gold medals at the Paris 2024 Olympics. The impressive sum of 12 Olympic medals and 19 World Championship medals he has earned is a testament to his exceptional talent and the efficacy of his training regimen. The exceptional performance of his records in the 50m and 100m freestyle and 100m butterfly underscores the effectiveness of targeted, top-tier coaching and the cultivation of talent.

At the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, South Asia's performance has remained very modest in terms of winning medals. Throughout its sports history, India has been able to win 41 medals including the 6 medals (1 silver and 5 bronze) in the 2024 Paris Olympics.  Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem won 1 gold medal in the Javelin throw after a long hiatus of four decades. Pakistan has won a total 11 (4 Gold Hockey, 3 Silver Hockey and 4 Bronze; Boxing-1, Hockey-2 and Wrestling-1) medals since its participation in the Olympics.

Since its debut in the 1984 Summer Olympics, Bangladesh has taken part in every Summer Olympics but has never won any medal. In 2016, Siddikur Rahman achieved the distinction of being the first Bangladeshi to find a spot in the Olympic Games. In 2024, Bangladesh had sent a contingent of seven sportspersons, but none of them won any medal. Similarly, Nepal has yet to achieve a single Olympic medal throughout its history of participation in the Olympics. Nepal participated in the 2024 Summer Olympics held in Paris, but did not achieve even a single medal at the Paris Olympics in 2024. Sri Lanka made its inaugural appearance at the Olympic Games in 1948 and has been represented in every Summer Olympic Games since, with the exception of the 1976 Games. Sri Lankan athletes have achieved a combined total of two Olympic silver medals, both of which were earned in the field of athletics. The Maldives made its inaugural appearance at the Olympic Games in 1988, however, has failed to open its account in medal tally. Afghanistan has made its first appearance at the Berlin Games in 1936 and since then won two bronze medals (2008, 2012) in Taekwondo

Together, Michael Phelps (28 medals) and Caeleb Dressel (12 medals) have won 40 Olympic medals, almost matching the 48 medals that all South Asian countries have won in total throughout Olympic history. This demonstrates how exceptional Phelps and Dressel's individual accomplishments are in relation to the overall performance of the South Asian region. Demographically, South Asia is a gigantic region having 1.8 billion people. The spectacular performance of these two sportspersons had highlighted that even the whole South Asia of 1.8 billion is not equal to the performance of Micheal Phelps in terms of Gold Medals!

South Asian sportspersons used to face numerous challenges, including inadequate infrastructure, talent identification programs, and lack of high-quality coaching and support systems. Limited competitive opportunities and insufficient funding further restrict their ability to excel internationally. A weak sports culture and lack of public support contribute to low participation and underperformance in global competitions.

Collaborative sports strategy 

To improve South Asian sports performance in the 2028 Olympics, a multi-faceted approach is needed. This includes infrastructure development, talent identification and development, coaching quality, increasing competitive opportunities, securing funding and sponsorship, and cultivating a strong sports culture. The South Asian countries may collaborate with sponsoring agencies to build and upgrade sports facilities, invest in high-quality coaches, secure funding and sponsorship, and promote sports at the grassroots level. This will create an ecosystem that supports athletic excellence and improves performance in global competitions. Moreover, some communities in South Asian countries, who possess inherent sports skills, for example coastal area people, can be identified and trained in swimming, tribal people in archery and bazigar (street performers) people can be trained in gymnastics. 

To overcome existing challenges and achieve significant improvements by the 2028 Olympics, South Asia must adopt a collaborative approach. By pooling resources and fostering regional cooperation, countries can share facilities, expertise, and financial investments. Joint initiatives such as regional training camps, talent development programs, and sports leagues can enhance the competitive edge of South Asian athletes. Governments and private sectors should work together to establish a unified sports policy that prioritizes investment in infrastructure, coaching, and athlete support. Creating a cohesive strategy that includes recognition of athletic achievements and a focus on sports development will help build a robust sports ecosystem.

South Asia’s quest for gold medals at the 2028 Olympics requires a strategic and collaborative effort. By learning from the successes of sports legends like Michael Phelps and Caeleb Dressel, and addressing key areas such as infrastructure, coaching, and talent development, South Asia can enhance its Olympic performance. Investing in a comprehensive sports development strategy, fostering regional cooperation, and building a supportive sports culture will enable the region to produce its own athletic legends and achieve a remarkable presence on the global stage.

(The author is professor, Department of South and Central Asian Studies, School of International Studies, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, India. Views are personal. He can be reached at bawasingh73@gmail.com )