It is a sad reflection on society if young athletes are attempting to commit suicide. The death of a promising teen athlete at a residential Sports Authority of India facility in Kerala should serve as an eye-opener when it comes to our handling of young people in stressful situations. Unable to bear the pressure of seniors, a group of girls was said to have eaten a toxic fruit. Curiously, there was no system at the training camp through which they could voice their grievances.
Competitive sport gets complicated when young athletes fight the system to get places on the national team. Given the psychological stress and peer pressure, the least bodies like SAI can do is ensure sufficient counsellors are appointed to take care of the young, their minds and thinking.
Nationally, SAI runs programmes for over 10,000 athletes at more than 250 locations. But there is no excuse for improper planning, most of which, by default, is in the management of the psyche of young sportspersons just breaking through to make a name internationally. The supporting infrastructure is also so poorly executed that sportspersons are expected to make huge sacrifices as they climb the ladder.
For every Saina or Sania, there are hundreds of frustrated athletes who are unable to take advantage of the new system or buck it with sheer talent. Where we have to change the system is in trying to ensure it treats every athlete as a human being with feelings who is very vulnerable to the vicissitudes of sport.
