Synopsis
At the RCB Innovation Lab Indian Sports Summit, two-time Olympic medalist PR Sreejesh highlighted the critical need for grassroots investment and talent recognition to bolster India's performance in the upcoming 2026 Olympic Games. He emphasized building a sports culture and the importance of mental preparation for young athletes.Key Takeaways
- Grassroots investment is essential for Olympic success.
- Focus on talent identification at nursery levels.
- Preparing athletes for mental pressure is crucial.
- Building a stronger sports culture is necessary.
- Real-life examples of success motivate young athletes.
Bengaluru, March 14 (NationPress) Two-time Olympic medallist PR Sreejesh has emphasized the necessity for grassroots investment and talent identification if India aims to make a significant impact in the 2026 Olympic Games.
During the RCB Innovation Lab Indian Sports Summit, Sreejesh articulated that while India possesses depth at the national level, the grassroots system requires more focus.
“Exposure is crucial. Competing on the world stage and excelling there is the aspiration,” he asserted. “The unique challenge of the Olympics lies in the mental pressure. Preparing athletes to handle that pressure is paramount.”
“We have ample room for improvement in talent identification. At the nursery and grassroots levels, there is significant work to be done. This is where investment should be directed,” he stated. “If we are discussing the 2036 Olympics, we must start recognizing talent in the 12-14 age group now,” added the hockey goalkeeper who earned bronze medals at the 2020 Tokyo Games and the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics.
Beyond medals, Sreejesh advocated for a more robust sports culture in India. “Integrating a sports culture into our system is vital, not only for winning medals but also for overall health and wellness. While the younger generation is medal-focused, we must also establish a foundation that supports their ongoing athletic journey,” he remarked.
He highlighted that today’s young athletes have real examples of Indian success on the global stage, which can instill belief in their potential.
“In our early playing days, we were always told stories from the sport’s history. Now, we can show young kids that we can succeed globally. In my work with U21 players at Hockey India, I aim to instill in them the belief that they too can achieve greatness,” he further elaborated.
Earlier in the summit, former Indian cricketer Dinesh Karthik, in a discussion with Mo Bobat, Director of Cricket at RCB, and former England cricketer Isa Guha, praised the Indian cricket team’s mindset and credited the IPL for fostering a winning mentality in players while enhancing infrastructure.
In another session, Sarah Walsh, Head of Women’s Football at Football Australia, along with Moya Dodd, a sports governance expert, explored the growth opportunities for women’s football in India and the broader landscape for women’s sports leading to 2036.
The summit also featured insights from a distinguished array of speakers, including Aditya Aditya (Head of Media Business Strategy & Intelligence at the International Olympic Committee), Michele Ciccarese (Commercial and Marketing Director, Serie A), Darren Henry (Chief Commercial Officer, British Cycling), Chloe Targett-Adams (Chief Commercialization Officer, Surj), Jalaj, and Vital Dani (Asian Paints and Dani Sports Foundation), Nandan Kamath (Sports and Society Accelerator – the RCB Innovation Lab Indian Sports Summit Powered by Leaders’ Knowledge Partner), and Hina Nagarajan (Diageo India).
The second edition of the RCB Innovation Lab Indian Sports Summit is currently taking place at the Padukone Dravid Centre for Sports Excellence in Bengaluru and will conclude on March 15.
