But there is another, less discussed, war that sport wages — not between competitors but with each individual sportsperson: this is the battle between sport and the sportsperson’s body. By some estimates, the percentage of young and elite athletes who have been forced to retire due to injury ranges from 22% in the United States of America to 47% in English football. Other high-contact games, such as rugby, American football and boxing, take a higher toll on players’ bodies. The glamourisation of sports on account of their globalisation has brought many benefits to the fraternity of sports stars. This lacuna must be addressed if India, which is striving to be acknowledged as a global sporting power, is to reach its goal.

Source: The Telegraph January 23, 2026 02:17 UTC