“You can’t play forever”: PV Sindhu, who is also an MBA graduate, highlights the importance of education for athletes

Two-time Olympic medallist Indian badminton star P V Sindhu on Wednesday emphasised the importance of education for aspiring athletes, cautioning that focusing only on sports can be too “risky,” as a career can be cut short by injury.

She shared these views during a fireside chat at DPS International while interacting with educationist Devyani Jaipuria.

Education Is a Lifelong Asset

Drawing from her own journey, Sindhu highlighted the reality of a limited sporting career.

"I have been playing for so many years. At some point of time you have to retire, right? And that's the truth. You can't be playing sport when you're 45 or 50 or 60 at the highest level.

"And you have to accept that fact, whereas education will always be lifelong with you, and that will always stay with you," she said.

She echoed the views of national coach Pullela Gopichand, who has consistently encouraged parents to prioritise academics alongside sports.

Balancing Studies and Training
Sindhu stressed that success requires equal focus on both academics and sports.

"Nobody is born with a golden spoon and you have to work hard, whether it is in studies or sports...Studies and sports are equally important. I have done my MBA. So, I know, like, it's not easy...you go to training in the morning, come back, study, and then you go for evening sessions.

"Because at the end of the day, that is the truth, where sports is a very small thing, right? Life-long, you know, you will always have an education by your side. Sport is also important, but not that, you know, completely stop your studies," she asserted.

Warning About Risks of Sporting Careers
The 30-year-old, who is currently on a break after being stranded in Dubai due to temporary airspace closures amid regional tensions, pointed out that injuries can abruptly derail a career.

"I might sound mean, maybe they might not understand now, but in the later stage in their life, they will understand that, yes, studies are also important. Because, you know, sport sometimes, it's very risky where sometimes you have an injury and you never know how it goes.

"...your life might end, you might have a surgery...injuries...they don't tell you and come, it just happens. At that point of time, you have to make sure that you are ready for everything in life," she said.

Overcoming Injury and Self-Doubt
Sindhu also recalled her own challenging phase in 2015, when a stress fracture in her left foot sidelined her for six months and raised doubts about her future in the sport

"Everybody tried to stay calm but obviously it was serious. I was just in time to see the doctor after playing for several weeks with pain. So yes I have had self doubt, whether I would play again or not," she recalled.

Despite the setback, she made a remarkable comeback and went on to win a silver medal at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

[With PTI inputs]