Digital Inclusion for Sustainable Sports Development: An Empirical Investigation of the Challenges Affecting Para Athletes in India and the Need for a One-Stop Digital Support Ecosystem

Abstract

The growing recognition of para sports in India has highlighted the extraordinary achievements of para-athletes despite persistent structural, institutional, and psychosocial barriers. While government initiatives and sports policies have expanded opportunities, the absence of an integrated digital support ecosystem continues to fragment access to essential information, training resources, welfare schemes, coaching, healthcare services, and career development opportunities. This digital gap not only restricts athlete performance but also contributes to social exclusion, unequal participation, and long-term sustainability challenges. This study empirically investigates the key barriers affecting the performance and growth of para-athletes in India while proposing a strategic digital management framework to enhance inclusivity. Adopting an exploratory mixed-method approach, the study employs a structured questionnaire administered to 174 para-athletes representing diverse disability categories and sporting disciplines. Principal Component Analysis identifies four major dimensions influencing athlete development: External Environment Barriers, Sports Ecosystem Deficiencies, Socio-Cultural Exclusion, and Psychological and Career Sustainability Challenges. Multiple regression analysis reveals that inaccessible sports infrastructure and stadium facilities significantly hinder training consistency and competitive preparedness. Participants further report shortages of specialized para-sports coaches, limited physiotherapy and wellness support, inadequate mentorship opportunities, fragmented information regarding government schemes, institutional delays, and uncertainty surrounding post-sport career pathways. Building upon these findings, the study proposes the development of a One-Stop Digital Para Athlete Support Platform (ODPSP) that integrates accessible information, athlete registration, government welfare schemes, coach and mentor directories, physiotherapy and rehabilitation services, mental health support, career guidance, scholarship opportunities, competition calendars, grievance redressal mechanisms, and AI-enabled personalized recommendations within a single accessible digital interface. Such a platform would reduce information asymmetry, strengthen strategic coordination among stakeholders, improve governance, and promote digital inclusion in India's para-sports ecosystem.