Saina Nehwal says India needs to win more medals in every sport to be a sporting nation

Saina Nehwal (File pic)

Former world No. 1 badminton player and Olympic medalist Saina Nehwal stated on Saturday that finishing among the leading countries on international medal leaderboards is the true benchmark for defining India as a "sporting nation," even as the country pushes to host major global events.

Addressing students at St. Xavier's College during the inter-collegiate festival 'Malhar', Saina acknowledged the positive shift in Indian sports over the past decade, particularly for female athletes, while noting that significant work lies ahead.

"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," Nehwal said.

Reflecting on the progress of women in sports, she said: "Somewhere women are realising that we are capable; we can do well."

"Last 15-20 years, I can see huge change in sports especially because I keep looking at matches and I keep seeing that, especially lot of girls from Haryana, they are doing extremely well in sports and wrestling, boxing, badminton is coming up."

"I just want it to happen throughout the country so that we can be called as sporting nation in the future," she added.

Financial support and mental conditioning are critical

Highlighting the financial hurdles young athletes face, Saina called for systemic changes to secure early-stage sponsorships and funding before players reach top ranks.

"It's not about men or women, it's about giving your best because in sports it's not very easy to earn money. You feel, what's going to happen in sports? Unless you reach in top 15 or top 20, you won't even get good sponsorships (or) good funding," Saina said.

"It's not like cricket… still you have to improve a lot more but if you are consistent, if you are performing well, of course you will get all kind of sponsorships but not many players are like so talented."

Drawing a comparison to cricket, she noted that financial stability helps athletes navigate the mental toll of public scrutiny and injuries.

"At least when you play best in the world, you have that salary system, you have that job system and then you can take it as your profession. But other sports still are lacking behind it and that's why many of them just lose the interest and they say that we don't want to play."

(With inputs from ANI)