Network18’s Jazba: From Roots to the Summit
Sports are often measured through medals, records and victories, but behind every achievement lies a journey filled with discipline, dedication, setbacks and an unbreakable spirit. This very journey was at the heart of ‘Jazba: Jadon Se Shikhar Tak’, a national sports conclave organised by News18 India, part of Network18, in New Delhi on September 18, 2026.
The conclave brought together celebrated sportspersons, policymakers, sports administrators, industry leaders and experts to discuss the changing landscape of Indian sports. Rather than focusing only on the final score or the medal podium, Jazba explored the people and systems that make sporting success possible.
Looking Beyond the Scoreboard
One of the central ideas of Jazba was that every sporting achievement has a story behind it. Years of training, early-morning practice sessions, sacrifices, failures, injuries, comebacks and the constant support of families and coaches are all part of an athlete’s journey.
The discussions highlighted important aspects of Indian sports, including grassroots development, sports infrastructure, Olympic ambitions, sports policy, innovation and the growing sports economy. The conclave also gave attention to para-athletes, emerging talent and sporting disciplines that do not always receive the same mainstream visibility.
A Gathering of Sporting Icons
Jazba featured voices from across different sporting fields. The speaker line-up included former Indian cricketers such as Ishant Sharma, Sandeep Patil and Aakash Chopra, Olympic wrestling medallist Yogeshwar Dutt, former hockey players Dilip Tirkey, Ashok Dhyanchand and Sardara Singh, former Indian women’s hockey captain Rani Rampal, boxer and Olympian Akhil Kumar, athlete Ashwini Nachappa, and Paralympian Deepa Malik, among many others.
Their experiences offered different perspectives on what it takes to build a sporting career—from training and competition to infrastructure, opportunities and support systems.
Building the Future of Indian Sports
Another important focus of the conclave was the future of Indian sport. Discussions examined how stronger grassroots programmes, better sporting infrastructure and wider opportunities can help young athletes pursue their ambitions.
The event also explored how sports is developing beyond competition, with technology, media, investment and the sports economy becoming increasingly important parts of the ecosystem.
For young people, these conversations carry particular significance. Sporting success is not only about talent; it also depends on access, guidance, facilities and an environment that allows talent to develop.
An Experience Beyond the Event
For students and aspiring media professionals, attending a conclave like Jazba offered more than an opportunity to listen to sporting icons. It provided a closer look at how a large-scale media organisation brings together journalism, sports, public conversations and live event coverage.
The event also demonstrated the role that media plays in telling stories that go beyond headlines. Through conversations with athletes, experts and policymakers, platforms such as Jazba can bring greater attention to the challenges and opportunities within Indian sport.
The Spirit of ‘Jazba’
The word Jazba represents passion, determination and the inner drive to keep moving forward. The theme ‘Jadon Se Shikhar Tak’—from roots to the summit—captures the larger journey of Indian sport: from grassroots participation and early training to national and international achievement.
Ultimately, Jazba was a reminder that every medal has a story, every victory has a journey, and every champion has a support system behind them. By bringing these stories to the forefront, the Network18 conclave created a space to understand Indian sport not just through its results, but through the people, passion and perseverance that shape it.
~by Mohini Tiwari
PGDMC, 2nd Semester
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