Can’t Play All Your Life So Education is Important: PV Sindhu

Gurugram: Two-time Olympic medalist Indian badminton player PV Sindhu on Wednesday stressed the need for aspiring athletes to get a good education and warned that ignoring academics and focusing on a sports career that could only result in a single injury is very “risky”.

The former world champion made these remarks while talking fireside with educator Devyani Jaipuria at DPS International.

The Hyderabadi touched on various aspects of his own journey to achieve his goal, including the self-doubt he experienced after collapsing with a stress fracture in his left foot ahead of the 2016 Olympics.

“I’ve been playing for many years. At some point you have to retire, right? And that’s the reality. You can’t play sport at the highest level at 45, 50 or 60.

Echoing the sentiment expressed by national coach Pullela Gopichand, who urged parents of promising athletes to prioritize education, he said, “And you have to accept this fact, whereas education will always be with you for life and that will stay with you.” he said.

“Nobody is born with a golden spoon and you have to work hard, whether it’s in studies or sports… Studies and sports are equally important. I did an MBA. So I know, it’s not easy… You go to training in the morning, come back, study and then go to evening sessions.

“Because the truth is, after all, sport is such a small thing, right? You know throughout your life, education will always be with you. Sports are also important, but not that much, you know, just forget about studies altogether.”

The 30-year-old actor went on holiday after being stranded in Dubai due to the airspace being closed for a few days while America and Israel bombed Iran. He said it can be difficult to recover from sports injuries, which is why he always advises budding athletes to seek academic support.

“I may sound malicious, they may not understand it now, but later in life they will understand that yes, lessons are important too. Because you know, sports are sometimes very risky, sometimes you get injured and you never know how it goes.

“…your life could end, you could have surgery…injuries…they don’t tell you, they come, it just happens. At that point you have to make sure you’re ready for anything in life,” he said.

He recalled 2015, when a stress fracture in his left foot threatened to end his career, sidelining him for six months and leaving him with little leeway ahead of the 2016 Olympics. He went on to win the silver medal at that edition of the Games in Rio de Janeiro.

“Everyone tried to stay calm, but the situation was serious. After playing through pain for a few weeks, I made it to the doctor just in time. So yes, I had self-doubts about whether I would play again,” he recalled.