For many years, the Indian sports system faced chronic bureaucracy and a lack of transparency. Distrust and outdated approaches slowed the development of youth programs and the country’s international achievements. However, a series of reforms initiated by the well-known politician Ajay Maken significantly changed the landscape of sports. On what principles were his transformations built, and what has changed in Indian sports during this time? This article tells the story of the leader’s path, key steps, and their impact on the future of young athletes.

Early Years and the Making of a Leader

Ajay Maken was born in January 1964 in the capital of India, New Delhi. From a young age, he received a solid education: he graduated from the prestigious St. Xavier’s School and then the Faculty of Economics at Shri Ram College of Commerce. His leadership qualities emerged early. Even during his studies, Maken became the president of the Delhi University Students’ Union—one of the largest youth organizations in the country. It was here that his close connection with the Indian National Congress began, which defined his principles of public service and orientation toward institutional change.

The Path to the Federal Level

In 1993, the young Maken was elected to the Delhi Legislative Assembly. Eight years later, he became the youngest speaker in the history of the capital’s parliament. This stage laid the foundation for his business reputation. The attention of federal structures to the energetic reformer was a logical consequence of his successful work at the regional level. The experience of early administration, gained in the conditions of the capital’s self-government, later influenced Maken’s approach to systemic transformations in sports and other areas of public policy.

A Course Toward Transparency and Efficiency

Ajay Maken’s appointment as Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports in 2011 raised high expectations among experts and the general public. The ministry faced urgent tasks: to change the management system, develop new approaches to athlete training, and increase the effectiveness of investments. Maken’s policy was aimed at:

• Introducing mandatory reporting in sports federations, which forced organization leaders to account more strictly for every rupee spent
• Maximum disclosure of financial flows for public oversight
• Modernization of Olympic training and renovation of training facilities
• Supporting young talents through the expansion of targeted programs for young athletes

As the minister himself emphasized: “Sport needs new rules of the game, transparent for everyone—both athletes and fans.” According to sports analyst Anil Kumar, the new mechanisms gave a boost to the emergence of “healthy competition and trust between institutions.”

Concrete Results of the Reforms

Within several years after the implementation of the reforms, funding for national programs increased by 30%, notes Indu Jain, a researcher of federal structures. More than 150 projects for the development of sports infrastructure were implemented in various regions of the country. The number of young athletes who received government support or scholarships grew by a third.

The example of track and field athlete Priyanka Devi is indicative; she stated in the pages of The Hindu that the new system allowed her to “focus on training instead of endless paperwork.” Analysts note: despite the successes, some old federations and officials resisted changes, fearing the loss of influence and familiar resource allocation schemes. This created local crises, but the overall course toward transparency proved more resilient.

The Legacy of Ajay Maken and Influence on the Modern Sports Ecosystem

The reforms initiated by Maken still have a tangible impact on sports policy. Modern experts note that accountability mechanisms and electronic control have become the standard for most federations.

Under Ajay’s leadership, sports reached new heights, and the largest bookmakers flocked to the Indian market, attracted by the achievements of local athletes and teams.

Now, if you visit site, which is the largest aggregator of bookmakers, you can see how this sector has predominantly developed in Andhra Pradesh.

At the same time, some issues require further work: the distribution of resources between regions and support for minor sports still cause debate. The Indian National Congress today continues to advocate for the development of mass sports, support for young talents, and modernization of sports infrastructure.

Work in the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development

After a period of rapid changes in sports, Maken took on no less large-scale challenges in the field of urban development. In 2012, he headed the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development. Here, management principles tested in the sports sector were applied. In particular, projects were implemented that provided for electronic control over the distribution of subsidies and a comprehensive assessment of the effectiveness of municipal bodies. Affordable housing programs received a socially oriented focus and became an example for other regions in terms of the number of completed projects and the level of transparency.

Role in the Party and Public Activity After the Ministry

After leaving the ministry, his influence on policy did not weaken but received a new direction. Within the Indian National Congress, Ajay Maken was appointed general secretary and was responsible for the party’s strategic communications. He was involved in shaping youth policy, supporting sports initiatives, and promoting targeted projects for the development of talented youth. Regional work in Delhi, support for mass sports events, and the launch of social programs showed that Maken actively participates in public life even outside official positions.

Principles, Beliefs, and Personal Motivation

Ajay Maken has repeatedly emphasized the role of sports as a tool for social development. In one interview, he noted: “Sport is not a secondary part of politics, but the foundation of the country’s social energy.” Can it be said that the ideas of one politician are capable of changing the national sports ecosystem? Party colleagues and representatives of sports federations note: openness and a focus on results became his trademark style, inspiring many followers.