APARTHEID IN SPORTS AND INDIA’S ROLE IN THE ANTI-APARTHEID MOVEMENT

Abstract

Apartheid, the system of institutionalized racial segregation and discrimination enforced in South Africa from 1948 to 1994, was not only a domestic issue for South Africa but also a global concern. One of the most visible and impactful fronts in the global opposition to apartheid was in the realm of sports. Sports, traditionally seen as a unifying force, became a battleground for racial justice and equality. South Africa’s apartheid regime imposed racial segregation in sports, excluding non-whites from participating in national teams and banning mixed-race competitions. This blatant racial discrimination in sports led to international condemnation and isolation of South African sports from global competitions. India played a significant role in spearheading the boycott and isolation of South African sports, becoming a leading voice in the global anti-apartheid movement. This article delves into the history of apartheid in sports, with a particular focus on India's role in fighting against this system. It will examine how apartheid affected various sports in South Africa, the international response to apartheid in sports, and India’s leadership in calling for a global sporting boycott of South Africa.