Why doesn’t India win more Olympic medals? Sunil Chhetri explains, ‘It’s because we don’t…’
Why doesn’t India win more Olympic medals? Sunil Chhetri explains, 'It’s because we don’t…'
Sunil Chhetri emphasizes that there is no shortage of talent in India, but the problem lies elsewhere.
Indian football icon Sunil Chhetri has candidly addressed the reasons behind India’s underperformance at the Olympics, attributing it to the country’s failure to effectively identify and nurture talent at the grassroots level. Despite India’s large population of 1.5 billion, Chhetri argues that the issue is not a lack of talent but rather the inability to recognize and develop it.
Why India win less medals in Olympics: Sunil Chhetri pic.twitter.com/WF9PrmUFIs
— Gems of Shorts (@Warlock_Shabby) July 31, 2024
In a recent podcast on “Figuring Out” with YouTube influencer Raj Shamani, Chhetri explained that countries excelling in the Olympics, such as China, the US, Germany, Japan, Australia and Canada, have superior systems for spotting and cultivating talent. He criticized India’s sports infrastructure, noting that promising athletes often go unnoticed due to a lack of proper support and resources.
Chhetri gave the example of a potentially talented young athlete from the Andaman Islands who, despite his potential in sports like football, javelin throw or cricket, might not pursue a sports career due to a lack of awareness and resources. Instead, such individuals often end up in unrelated jobs, such as working in a call center.
Chhetri’s comments have gained traction amid the Paris Olympics 2024, where India has won three bronze medals, placing 41st. In contrast, leading countries like China, France and Japan have achieved significantly higher medal counts. Notably, Manu Bhaker made history as the first athlete from independent India to win two medals at a single Olympics, while Swapnil Kusale also secured a bronze.
Chhetri emphasized that it is not factual to say India does not win enough medals despite its population but rather, the problem lies in the lack of identification and nurturing of talent. He stressed that countries successful in the Olympics are far better at identifying and developing their athletes.
At the time of writing, India has won three medals at the Paris Olympics 2024 and stands at 41st place. China leads with 10 gold medals and a total tally of 20, while France follows with a higher total tally of 26. Japan, with 8 gold medals, is in third place.
Chhetri’s blunt remarks underscore the critical need for systemic change in India’s approach to sports development, aiming to improve the identification and nurturing of young talent to enhance future Olympic performances.
