Afro-Indian Presence in the Sports: Contributions, Social Inclusion and Global Visibility

Abstract

The Afro-descendant group in India, known as the Siddi community, traces its origins to centuries of transoceanic migration facilitated by Arab and Portuguese trade networks since the 7th century. They came from their homelands, including Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan, Zanzibar, Egypt, Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, Zambia, and Mozambique. In India, the Union government, on January 8, 2003, classified them as a Scheduled Tribe. In recent years, Siddi youth have emerged as notable figures in India's sporting landscape, excelling in athletics, boxing, and traditional sports like kabaddi, breaking away from their historical invisibility. This paper examines athletic achievements of the Siddi community across Gujarat and Karnataka to determine their relationship with cultural identity and socioeconomic development. The paper evaluates the state-led initiatives of the Sports Authority of India's Special Area Games (SAG) Scheme and grassroots organizations such as the Bridges of Sports Foundation to transform the lives of Siddis. The study uses global examples from the United States, the United Kingdom and Europe to demonstrate how sports can serve as a powerful instrument for minority empowerment and cultural diplomacy. Through qualitative fieldwork and policy analysis , the research shows that developing Siddi sporting talent enhances India's international sports reputation while promoting grassroots community development and social integration. The paper advocates implementing inclusive, culturally sensitive policies integrating the Siddis into national sports narratives to enhance India's soft power and global outreach through their success. This paper explores the history of Siddi sports in India, assesses their contemporary participation in Karnataka and Gujarat, investigates the role of sports organizations, compares their experiences with the global African diaspora, and identifies collaboration opportunities.