EP-264 | The DARK TRUTH About a Sports Career – No One Tells You This! | Pullela Gopichand

Key Concepts

• Career prospects in sports in India
• Lack of safety net for athletes
• Importance of physical literacy and education
• Role of government, corporations, and society in supporting athletes
• Transitioning athletes to alternative careers
• Mental and physical attributes of successful athletes
• The role of coaching and mentorship
• Diet and training regimens for athletes
• The importance of cutting out external noise
• The need for respect and recognition for athletes

Main Topics and Key Points

Controversy Surrounding Gopi Chand's Statement

• Initial Statement: Gopi Chand advised parents not to put their children in sports unless they are from rich backgrounds or have family businesses, sparking controversy.
• Context and Clarification: He clarifies that the statement was intended to highlight the lack of a safety net for most athletes in India, not to discourage participation. He emphasizes that the media's interpretation of his statement was not entirely accurate due to multiple filters in the reporting process.
• Provocation: Gopi Chand admits that the statement was intended to provoke a reaction and bring attention to the issue.

The Problem: Lack of a Safety Net

• Shattered Dreams: Gopi Chand expresses concern over hardworking players and their parents investing resources and time, only to have their dreams shattered due to limited opportunities and lack of job security.
• Middle-Class Struggle: He notes that many successful athletes come from middle-class families, but the current system doesn't adequately support them if they don't achieve elite status.
• Education vs. Sport: Children often stop focusing on education at a young age to pursue sports, leaving them without marketable skills if they don't succeed.
• Limited Job Opportunities: Despite an increase in the number of people playing sports, job opportunities for athletes have decreased.
• Examples: He mentions national champions, Commonwealth medalists, and Asian Games medalists without jobs. He specifically names current badminton players like Teresa Jolly and Tanisha Crasto, who have achieved significant success but lack job security.

Solutions and Recommendations

• Handholding and Skill Development: Gopi Chand emphasizes the need to handhold athletes, skill them, and educate them to ensure a life of respect, regardless of their sporting success.
• Loans and Mentorship: He suggests providing loans and mentorship to help athletes start businesses.
• Administrative Roles: He proposes utilizing athletes' skills in administrative offices and teaching them administration.
• University Systems: He points to the US university system as a model where athletes receive education and can easily transition into other careers.
• Corporate Involvement: He calls for corporations to join the effort by providing support and opportunities for athletes.
• Government Initiatives: He acknowledges the positive impact of government initiatives like Khelo India and the Prime Minister's interactions with athletes but stresses the need to address the safety net issue.
• Focus on National Champions: He suggests starting by taking care of national champions and gradually expanding support to a larger group of athletes.
• Transitioning to Other Fields: He suggests that athletes who do not have the potential to be world-class should be transitioned into other fields where they can excel.

The Role of Society and the Ecosystem

• Collective Responsibility: Gopi Chand argues that addressing the issue requires a collective effort from society, not just the government.
• University Involvement: He highlights the need for more colleges and universities to support athletes' education and career transitions.
• Corporate Support: He emphasizes the importance of corporate involvement in providing opportunities for athletes.
• Defined Pathways: He stresses the need for defined pathways for athletes to progress in their careers and transition to other fields.

Gopi Chand's Personal Journey

• Early Life: He recounts his early life, including his initial interest in cricket and his eventual entry into badminton due to circumstances.
• Job Security: He emphasizes the importance of getting a job in Tata Steel, which allowed him to continue playing badminton.
• Training Regimen: He describes his rigorous training regimen, including waking up early, studying, and walking or cycling to the stadium.
• Lack of Resources: He highlights the lack of resources and support available to athletes in his time, including the absence of fitness trainers and physiotherapists.
• Influence of Coaches: He acknowledges the influence of his coaches, who taught him to love the sport, instilled discipline, and provided inspiration.

Mental and Physical Attributes of Champions

• Love for the Sport: He emphasizes the importance of loving what you do.
• Resilience: He stresses the need to forget losses and believe in future success.
• Trust and Belief: He highlights the importance of trust and belief between the coach and the athlete.
• Physical Endurance: He acknowledges the importance of physical endurance.
• Cutting Out External Noise: He stresses the importance of cutting out external noise and negativity.

Diet and Training

• Evolution of Diet: He describes the evolution of his diet, from carb loading in the '90s to experimenting with keto, paleo, and vegetarian diets.
• Intermittent Fasting: He mentions practicing intermittent fasting for several years.
• A2 Milk: He highlights the benefits of A2 milk from Indian cows.

The Southeast Asian Advantage

• Physicality and Culture: He attributes the success of Southeast Asian badminton players to their physical attributes and the culture of the sport in their countries.
• Defined Systems: He emphasizes the importance of having defined systems and pathways for athletes to progress.

Addressing Criticisms and Favoritism

• Jwala Gutta's Allegations: He addresses Jwala Gutta's allegations of favoritism, explaining that he had limited time and had to focus on a select few players.
• Limited Time and Resources: He acknowledges that he couldn't spend equal time with all players due to limited time and resources.
• Intuition and Spark: He explains that he picks players based on his intuition and the spark he sees in them.

The Need for Respect and Recognition

• Board Positions: He suggests giving athletes board positions in organizations, not just lower-level jobs.
• Opportunities for Advancement: He emphasizes the need for opportunities for athletes to advance in their careers.
• Respect for Achievements: He stresses the importance of respecting athletes' achievements and contributions to the country.

Notable Quotes

• "When the Dronacharya of badminton says that the odds are insurmountable for most sports persons, it came as a shocker." - Smitha Prakash, referring to the public reaction to Gopi Chand's initial statement.
• "I see players fail day in and day out my heart goes out for them." - Gopi Chand, expressing his empathy for struggling athletes.
• "Educate them, skill them, handhold them." - Gopi Chand, summarizing his recommendations for supporting athletes.
• "At 35 when you're all same age you are probably better than them you have a bigger car than them it doesn't hurt but at 50 when you're telling your kid I am an Olympian what do I do every time you have to do that to an officer then it hurts you and that hurt will stop the Next Generation from taking up sport" - Gopi Chand, explaining the long-term impact of not respecting athletes.

Technical Terms and Concepts

• Physical Literacy: The ability to move with competence and confidence in a wide variety of physical activities in multiple environments that benefit the healthy development of the whole person.
• Safety Net: A system of support and resources to protect athletes from the negative consequences of failure.
• Khelo India: A national program for the development of sports in India.
• TOPS (Target Olympic Podium Scheme): A program to provide assistance to India's top athletes.
• A2 Milk: A type of milk that contains only the A2 beta-casein protein.
• Carb Loading: A strategy used by athletes to maximize glycogen stores in muscles before an event.
• Keto Diet: A high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet.
• Paleo Diet: A diet based on the foods presumed to have been eaten by early humans.
• Intermittent Fasting: An eating pattern that cycles between periods of eating and voluntary fasting on a regular schedule.
• ACL Tear: An injury to the anterior cruciate ligament in the knee.
• Sports Cota: Reservation of seats or jobs for sports persons.
• PSU: Public Sector Undertaking

Logical Connections

• The initial controversy serves as a starting point to delve into the deeper issue of the lack of a safety net for athletes.
• Gopi Chand's personal journey provides context for his perspective and his understanding of the challenges faced by athletes.
• The discussion of mental and physical attributes of champions leads to a conversation about coaching and mentorship.
• The recommendations for solutions are logically connected to the identified problems and the need for a holistic approach.

Data, Research Findings, or Statistics

• Gopi Chand mentions that out of 100 people, only one might make it to the elite level in sports.
• He notes that there are more than 10,000 players playing National level badminton events every day.
• He states that the government is spending 6-7 lakhs on an athlete.
• He mentions that when he was playing, there were 30 players and 20 jobs, but now there are thousands of players and fewer jobs.
• He states that Stanford won 34 medals and UCLA won 17 medals in a year.

Synthesis/Conclusion

Gopi Chand's controversial statement was a deliberate attempt to bring attention to the critical issue of the lack of a safety net for athletes in India. While acknowledging the positive developments in Indian sports, he emphasizes the urgent need for a holistic ecosystem that supports athletes not only during their sporting careers but also in their transition to alternative careers. He calls for a collective effort from the government, corporations, society, and educational institutions to provide handholding, skill development, and opportunities for athletes to lead a life of respect and financial stability, regardless of their sporting success. His insights highlight the importance of recognizing athletes' contributions and ensuring that their sacrifices are not in vain.