Former world No. 1 shuttler and Olympic medallist Saina Nehwal on Saturday said that India should be among the top nations in the medals table if it is to be considered a genuine sporting nation, urging systemic reforms including early financial support for young athletes.
Top of the medals tally is the metric, she said
Speaking at the inter‑collegiate festival ‘Malhar’ hosted by St Xavier’s College, Nehwal argued that hosting marquee events such as the Olympics or other major tournaments cannot substitute for sustained international results. She said achieving a place near the top of medal standings must be the benchmark for the country’s sporting credentials.
"We are trying (to host) Olympics or big tournaments but I think one thing we have to make sure is that we are in top of the medal tally as well and that is when we can call ourselves a sporting nation."
Nehal observed that while the landscape for sport in India has changed considerably over the past decade — particularly for women — significant gaps remain in promoting talent nationwide and ensuring financial security for athletes.
Women’s progress, but uneven distribution of opportunity
Highlighting the improving presence of women in Indian sport, Nehwal pointed to a visible rise in female participation and success, citing the notable contribution of athletes from states such as Haryana in disciplines like wrestling and boxing, and the emergence of badminton among top performers.
At the same time she emphasised the need to spread opportunities across the country so that sporting potential is realised beyond traditional pockets of excellence. She said that more consistent support and better promotion are necessary to turn talent into international success on a regular basis.
Financial backing from an early age
One of Nehwal’s central points was the importance of early and sustained financial assistance for young athletes. She warned that unless players receive funding and sponsorship early, many capable sportspersons will be unable to pursue competitive careers because earnings in most sports remain uncertain until a high level of performance is reached.
- Early funding: Nehwal urged systems that provide financial backing from the grassroots to help athletes focus on development.
- Sponsorship and marketing: She called for improved promotion and commercial support to create viable career pathways.
- Consistency: Performance consistency, she said, is key to unlocking sponsorship and longer careers.
| Theme | Nehal's point |
|---|---|
| Hosting events | Hosting alone is insufficient without top medal finishes |
| Women in sport | Notable progress; more needs to be done across regions |
| Funding | Early financial support and sponsorship vital for athlete development |
Quoting examples from the last 15–20 years, Nehwal said that the change is visible when she watches matches and notices a growing number of talented women excelling in multiple sports. However, she cautioned that improved promotion, marketing and sponsorship at an early stage are essential to translate talent into consistent international outcomes.
The former champion also reflected on the commercial realities of non‑cricket sports in India. She noted that financial stability often comes only after an athlete reaches high international rankings — typically within the top 15–20 — and that the lack of early commercial support can deter many promising players.
Nehwal’s comments come amid ongoing debates about India’s broader sporting strategy, which includes bids to host major global events alongside efforts to strengthen domestic athlete pathways. Her remarks underline the argument that infrastructure and event hosting must be matched by a robust system of talent identification, funding and long‑term athlete care.
As India pursues a higher international profile in sport, the issue of converting participation and hosting ambitions into podium results remains central. Nehwal’s call for measurable outcomes — specifically better positions in medal tables — reframes the question of national sporting identity in terms of performance as much as prestige.
