Since the record Asian Games haul this October, The Indian Express tracked down all 256 medallists to plot each one’s journey to the podium. Their income, place of origin, education, first break, the numbers tell a story of challenge, change — and enduring hope.
"A father running a small tea shack in Ballari, Karnataka faced challenges supporting his daughter's heptathlon dreams. In contrast, a coffee plantation owner in Coorg had fewer hurdles as his son pursued tennis from an early age."
"A worker at a petrol pump in Faridabad faced injury and job loss while supporting his daughter's track-and-field ambitions. Meanwhile, in Mandi, a pistol shooter's family had the advantage of owning a petrol pump, easing their financial burden."
"A hockey player's father owns a small sari shop in Varanasi. A tennis player from Chennai has parents running a textile business. A sprinter's father works as a waiter at a hotel in Pallakad, and a badminton star's family owns a hotel in Mumbai."
"At first glance, these stories seem like the usual Indian narratives, spanning different regions and social classes. However, they represent 256 New Year postcards from today's India to the future."
"These athletes came from vastly different backgrounds, and without sports and their exceptional skills, their lives wouldn't have crossed paths. However, they converged during the September-October 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, where they collectively earned India a record 107 medals, comprising 58 individuals and 49 teams."
"Overall, these athletes' journeys, both personal and professional, showcase their faith in sports as an equal opportunity platform. Their talent, determination, institutional support, and a changing sports environment have leveled the playing field for them, allowing their skills and hard work to shine."
"After the Games, 15 reporters from The Indian Express found and interviewed each member of the Asian contingent. They gathered personal data and had the athletes complete a questionnaire, revealing their incredible backgrounds. This investigation highlighted significant trends in India's developing sports environment, emphasizing how sports is increasingly creating equal opportunities for all."
"The investigation found:
- Among the medal winners, there were 43% females and 57% males, showing a smaller gender gap in sports success. Two decades ago, the ratio was around 36% females to 64% males, and in the 2018 edition, it was about 40% females to 60% males.
Around 68 out of 256 podium finishers, just over a quarter, grew up in the top 25 populous cities. Rural areas contributed to a third of the medalists' success."
- "Homes with parents working as daily wage earners produced 40 medals for India. This shows that even families with unstable incomes tend to support their children's sports dreams when given some assistance or opportunity."
- "Homes with parents working as daily wage earners produced 40 medals for India. This shows that even families with unstable incomes tend to support their children's sports dreams when given some assistance or opportunity."
- "Out of 244 athletes or their families who shared their annual household income with The Indian Express, nearly 20%, which is 50 individuals, started playing when their families earned less than Rs 50,000 a year. This highlights the importance of accessible sports facilities in discovering and nurturing talent.
- Only 33 athletes came from families with stable income and parents in permanent government jobs, indicating that sports isn't seen as a viable career option for the service class.
- The majority of medals, 62, came from athletes with agricultural backgrounds, representing their rural roots. Around a dozen had ties to the Army, and 44 medals came from families with their own businesses.
- Among women athletes who won medals at the 2023 Asian Games, 48 were introduced to their sport at an academy, while the corresponding number for men was 50."
- "Many of these athletes received professional coaching and were introduced to their sport in rural areas and Tier 3 cities. Basic sports facilities and expert coaching have reached these regions. Notably, most talent scouting outside cities was conducted by dedicated coaches at basic private academies.
- Despite the challenges, most athletes managed to balance their sports and education. Among 232 athletes aged 20 and above, 135 were college graduates, and 21 had completed post-graduation. Interestingly, at least 55 graduate athletes had parents who did not pursue education beyond Class XII."
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