Former footballer Ranjit Bajaj has strongly criticized India’s sports funding approach, raising questions over the recent ₹1 crore reward given to young cricketer Vaibhav Suryavanshi. Speaking in a podcast with Raj Shamani, he argued that India’s system rewards athletes after success instead of supporting them during their early struggles.

Bajaj said the real gap in Indian sports lies at the grassroots level, where young athletes often lack financial backing and proper infrastructure. Using Suryavanshi’s example—who reportedly received a ₹1 crore award from the Bihar government—he questioned whether such rewards truly make a meaningful difference at that stage.

He pointed out that top-performing athletes often become financially successful through contracts and endorsements, suggesting that public funds could be more impactful if invested earlier in the careers of emerging players.

“Vaibhav Suryavanshi has already earned crores through brand deals. Do you think this ₹1 crore changes anything for him? Instead, that money could have been used to build a fund for young under-12 players and produce more talent like him,” Bajaj said.

According to him, India’s sports ecosystem tends to celebrate success rather than nurture it. He argued that early-stage investment could help produce a stronger pipeline of athletes instead of concentrating rewards on already-established stars.

The remarks have sparked fresh debate about whether India should rethink how it supports and funds its sporting talent—from recognition after achievement to investment during the making of champions.