Chasing Glory: Why Sports Needs Passion, But Also a Plan

Pullela Gopichand nailed it. Sports is a discipline, a way of life, and a journey that shapes you. But thinking that sports alone will secure your future? That’s like hoping your favorite street food stall will get a Michelin star—it sounds romantic, but reality has other plans.

We all admire athletes, celebrate their wins, and even get emotional when the national anthem plays after a big victory. But what about those who never make it to the podium? The ones who train just as hard, push just as much, but don’t land the jackpot? Gopichand, having spent decades shaping India’s top shuttlers, has seen it all—the highs, the heartbreaks, and the brutal reality that most don’t talk about.

He puts it bluntly: sports should be a discipline, not a blind gamble. There are parents who throw everything—money, time, even their own peace of mind—into the hope that their child will be the next sports sensation. And why not? We live in a world where one IPL contract or a single Olympic medal can change everything. But here’s the catch: that’s the exception, not the rule. You have a better chance of finding a traffic-free road in India at 9 AM than making it big without a solid backup plan.

Even champions struggle. Lakshya Sen, one of India’s top badminton players, had to win multiple titles before he gained financial stability. If someone at his level has to fight for security, what hope does a district-level player have? Yet, many go in thinking, “Arre, koi sponsor mil jaayega” or “Job toh mil hi jaayegi na?” If only life were that kind. As Gopichand rightly points out, hoping that someone will invest crores in your career is a dream that works 1% of the time. The remaining 99%? They often end up asking, “Koi job hai?”—and trust me, no one is waiting with a cheque and a smile.

This isn’t to say that one shouldn’t pursue sports. Absolutely, go for it. But don’t go all in without a safety net. Sports teach discipline, resilience, and hard work—qualities that can help you succeed in life, whether or not you win medals. But thinking that sports owes you something just because you gave it your all? That’s as na?ve as expecting Bollywood to cast you in a blockbuster just because you look good in sunglasses.

The real question is: what happens after the cheering stops? When the energy of the game fades, and the body refuses to keep up? The day sports leaves you, so does all the excitement. That’s when reality hits hardest. The truth is, medals don’t pay bills—discipline does. This is why Gopichand insists on education and skill-building alongside sports. Look at successful sporting nations—they create systems where athletes study, learn, and prepare for multiple career paths. In India, we are still catching up, but it’s time we made this shift.

The solution isn’t to scare kids away from sports; it’s to guide them wisely. Pursue sports with fire, train like a beast, and dream like a champion—but also have a plan. Because not everyone will become a legend, but everyone deserves a future.