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They once had stadiums screaming their name. Now, they sit in silence, unheard. They once wore the national jersey with pride. Now, they wear the weight of being forgotten. They were heroes—until they weren’t. In the world of sports, glory is short-lived. One win can make a star. One injury can end it all. And once the lights dim, and the cheers stop, a strange silence takes over. This is the story no one likes to talk about. Not the rising stars. Not the viral moments. But the ones who gave their best years to this country—only to be left behind. This is a story of faded fame, lost recognition, and the heartbreaking truth of what happens after the game ends.
When The Spotlight Moves On:
India is a country that worships its athletes—but only when they win. The moment they’re not on the screen, we move on to the next face, the next highlight, the next hero. The headlines stop. The contracts dry up. The phone stops ringing. And what happens to the athlete? They struggle.
Financially. Emotionally. Mentally.
Some retire with dignity. But many retire with silence. Take the story of Shankar Laxman, the legendary Indian hockey goalkeeper. He captained India to multiple medals and was one of the best in the world. But in his final years, he battled illness and poverty, ignored by the very institutions he had once brought glory to. Or Archer Limba Ram, a three-time Olympian. Once hailed as India’s answer to the world stage, he now lives in near-obscurity, far from the fanfare he once knew. And then there’s K.V. Elamaran, a former Tamil Nadu state footballer, who now drives an auto-rickshaw to feed his family. “People used to cheer for me. Now they don’t even remember my name,” he once said.
Hockey Legend Shankar Laxman
Why Does This Happen?
The truth is, India has always struggled with long-term athlete care. Here’s why:
- No structured post-retirement support: Most athletes aren’t prepared for life after the game. There’s no roadmap, no plan, no backup.
- No financial safety net: Outside of cricket, most sports in India don’t offer large enough earnings to sustain a long life. Athletes often retire with little to no savings.
- Lack of job security: Many players aren’t offered long-term jobs or government placements after retirement.
- Mental health is ignored: The sudden transition from being in the public eye to being invisible takes a huge psychological toll.
What the Numbers Say:
According to a report by the Indian Olympic Association, over 60% of retired Indian athletes struggle financially within five years of retirement.
- Only 1 in 10 non-cricketing athletes receive consistent pension or government support post-retirement.
- A 2023 survey revealed that nearly 70% of former national-level athletes said they felt “forgotten” or “neglected” after retirement.
- Less than 15% of India’s top athletes outside cricket have post-career sponsorship or brand engagement.
These numbers don’t just show negligence. They show a nation’s memory fades faster than the echoes of a stadium.
Emotional Toll: From Hero to No One
Imagine this: One day you’re standing in a packed stadium. The national anthem plays. The crowd chants your name. You bring pride to a billion people. Then suddenly, a year later, you’re standing in line at a government office, trying to prove you were once “someone.”
The emotional shift is brutal. Many former athletes fall into depression, anxiety, and even substance abuse. A wrestler from Haryana once said, “It’s easier to handle defeat in sport than the loneliness of being forgotten.”
Women Athletes: Forgotten Faster
The story is even more painful for women athletes. For years, they’ve fought harder to be seen, respected, and recognized. But after retirement, they disappear from public memory even faster. Take Shiny Wilson, a four-time Olympian and Asian Games medalist. Despite her incredible career, she has had to fight for basic recognition and job stability. Or Kamaljeet Sandhu, the first Indian woman to win an Asian Games gold in 1970. Few even know her name today. Women athletes often face triple battles – being forgotten, being underpaid, and being expected to return to traditional roles post-retirement. Their sacrifices—on and off the field—deserve more.
Kamaljeet Sandhu (First Indian Women To Win Individual Gold At Asian Games)
What’s Being Done, and Is It Enough?
Yes, there are some schemes:
- The Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) offers financial support to medal hopefuls.
- Arjuna Awardees are eligible for pensions.
- Some states also offer government jobs to medalists.
But here’s the truth: these schemes mostly benefit current or recent winners. Athletes from earlier decades, or those who narrowly missed medals, are left out. In contrast, countries like the UK and Australia run retirement transition programs that include:
- Career counselling
- Education support
- Emotional therapy
- Brand partnerships and ambassador roles
- Financial planning
India is far behind in this. And until that changes, we’ll keep seeing ex-heroes fade into silence.
Why Should This Matter to All of Us:
Because sport is more than entertainment. It is an effort. Emotion. Dedication. Pride. These athletes don’t just play for medals. They play for all of us. They put their bodies on the line. Their youth. Their future. And when the applause stops, they still carry that love.
So why can’t we carry them?
Why is our love so temporary?
Why does our gratitude last only as long as a tournament?
The least we owe them is dignity.
Stories That Break and Inspire:
Mohammed Yousuf Khan, an Arjuna award-winning footballer, died in poverty, with no government help despite repeated pleas. Khashaba Dadasaheb Jadhav, India’s first individual Olympic medalist (1952), died unsung, without recognition for decades. Tarlochan Singh, a gold-winning Asian Games sprinter, spent his last years in a small rented room, struggling to afford treatment.
And yet… they don’t complain.
Because true athletes don’t ask for applause – But they deserve it anyway.
What Can Be Done?
This isn’t just a cry for sympathy. It’s a call for solutions.
- Athlete Pension Reforms: Make post-retirement pensions mandatory for all national-level athletes, not just winners.
- Career Transition Support: Offer job placements, skill training, and educational support for retiring athletes.
- Mental Health Programs: Introduce therapy and peer-support groups for those struggling with the transition.
- Media Recognition: National channels and platforms must run features and retrospectives to keep their stories alive.
- Brand Responsibility: Brands that used their fame should continue supporting them beyond their peak.
- Hall of Fame & Legacy Projects: Every state must document and honour its sports heroes, not just celebrate current stars.
The Real Message:
Fame fades. That’s a fact.
But gratitude shouldn’t.
Respect shouldn’t.
And our heroes shouldn’t fade with time.
Athletes give us moments we remember forever. A six in the final over. A gold at the buzzer. A win against all odds.
Let’s give them something in return that lasts longer than headlines.
Let’s give them their place in history—not just when they rise, but long after they’ve stepped off the field.
Because the greatest athletes don’t just play games. They give up their lives.
And no one who gives that much… should ever be forgotten!
CLICK HERE to read our article on the silent heroes of sports ecosystem
Here’s a video for reference on this topic: CLICK HERE
Written by:- Shakshi Jain
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