Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has reformed several areas in India, schools have turned digital, libraries set up, scholarships helped millions and healthcare programmes rescued many a life. But in the area of CSR in education, one aspect has been given less attention- physical education infrastructure. Playgrounds and PE are still treated like after thoughts, when in reality, they are so important to create a balanced person.
Why Sports Infrastructure Is a Big Deal When It Comes to Education
A playground is an integral part of any school. The lessons learned through sports- camaraderie, discipline, resilience, and leadership, are difficult to teach in a textbook or through lectures alone. Research shows that physical activity enhances cognitive abilities, improves focus, and boosts classroom performance. Yet in most schools, physical education remains under-prioritised, with sports periods often reduced or replaced by academic classes, leaving children without structured time to play or train.
Private urban schools have opportunities for sports, but most children in rural and semi-urban areas never get to play on a field. For girls in particular, the inexistence of safe and inclusive spaces further hampers sports participation, perpetuating social inequalities. This is not only a neglect of opportunity to grow a sports talent, but a failure in the educational context.
CSR in Other Industries vs Sports
CSR funding has led to improvements in digital literacy and healthcare. While leading IT and tech companies have pumped in huge sums of money to set up smart classrooms, leading FMCG and pharma companies also run rural health schemes which have made a visible difference. Sports is listed under Schedule VII of the Companies Act as an eligible CSR activity, but according to a June 2025 report by Pacta and the Sports and Society Accelerator (SSA), while CSR spending on sports in India has grown rapidly, sports still receive only about 1.8% of total CSR funds. This highlights the large untapped potential for companies to invest in sports infrastructure, particularly at the grassroots level.
The cost of a single playground is much less than the price of a digital lab but leaves an enduring impression, increasing attendance, reducing dropout rates and improving mental well-being. And all it takes is an open space of 500 square meters equipped with basic sports material to transform an educating community.
The Role of Corporates and Boards
Corporates need to redefine the way they think about education CSR. But while supporting academics is important, investments in play spaces and sports training programs can support these advances by leading to healthier and more engaged students. Leading conglomerate companies of the country, have already tried out grassroots sport’s programs, but the scale is minuscule compared with the country’s needs.
School boards, state and national must join forces with the private sector to stiffen the inclusion of sports into everyday education. Public-private models can pay for playgrounds, for instance, and hire coaches who have been trained without relying on the revenue they generate, or even construct multi-sport community hubs that cater to schools and neighbourhoods.
Heading in the Right Direction
A few states have already shown how targeted investments in sports infrastructure can pay off. It is rural wrestling facilities in Haryana and focus on hockey in Odisha that have produced world champions. Karnataka’s investment in sports through various initiatives is also a benchmark. These examples show that sports are not just for the urban elite; once the necessary infrastructure reaches small towns, talent is sure to follow.
As India gears up to host global events like the 2036 Olympics, the foundation for success must be laid with its children. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds invested in school sports aren’t about producing an Olympian overnight. Instead, they are about creating a space and time for every child to learn how to move, play, and dream.
If even 10% of the annual CSR that goes in to education was diverted to playgrounds, multi-sport facilities and structured PE programmes, what a sea of change we would see? The effect would be massive, not just in performance levels at sport but on national health, student self-confidence and social inclusion.
Reimagined Education CSR
Playgrounds are not a luxury; they are a nation-building catalyst. By including them in CSR programmes, companies can help build healthier and more resilient communities. This is not just about strong academic performance, but about preparing confident, capable citizens who will excel on and off the field.
India cannot hope to realize its Olympic and educational dreams unless it values sports as an indispensable part of learning. The missing chain for education CSR is self-evident – it’s time for play and therefore, time to commit to building playgrounds; time to invest in the future.
Views of the author are personal and do not necessarily represent the website’s views.
