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They never stood on the podium. They never heard the crowd chant their name. And yet — without them, there would be no victory.
We often speak of champions as born with talent, but what about the ones who shaped that talent? Who caught them when they fell, who trained them when the world was asleep, who healed them when their bodies gave up, and who believed in them long before the world even knew their name?
Behind every athlete we admire, behind every medal we celebrate, there’s an entire universe that often goes unnoticed. In India, where the sporting spotlight is mostly fixed on the ones who score, smash, sprint or soar — there are others. The ones who work behind the scenes. Quietly. Tirelessly. Lovingly.
They are the coaches who never gave up on raw talent. The physiotherapists who healed bodies and spirits alike. The parents who mortgaged their dreams to fuel bigger ones. The friends who stood firm through every fall. These are the silent heroes of Indian sports, and this is their story.
Coaches: The First one to come, the last one to leave
Every champion begins with someone who saw the spark in them before the world did.
From dusty grounds in rural India to world-class training academies, coaches are the backbone of an athlete’s journey. They’re up at 5 AM, every day, without fail. Not for the limelight — but because they believe. They nurture. They push limits. They wipe tears after losses and control emotions after wins. And for every big name, there are thousands of local coaches in towns and villages who may never see TV coverage, but build futures with the same intensity and love.
Take the example of Ramakant Achrekar, who molded Sachin Tendulkar — not just as a cricketer, but as a person. Or Pullela Gopichand, who built a badminton revolution in India, producing stars like PV Sindhu and Saina Nehwal.
Sachin Tendulkar With His Coach Ramakant Achrekar
Take the story of Pullela Gopichand, a name synonymous with Indian badminton not just for his own career, but for the stars he built—Saina Nehwal, PV Sindhu, and many others. Behind Sindhu’s silver medal at the Rio Olympics was years of Gopichand’s unwavering discipline, strict routines, and countless early mornings. He wasn’t chasing the medal for himself—he was chasing a dream through someone else.
Pullela Gopichand Along With His Renowned Students
Coaches like them don’t just train technique. They shape character. They push, protect, correct, and most of all, believe. They are the first to arrive and the last to leave. And their reward? It’s not money or fame—it’s that tearful moment when their athlete stands on a podium, holding the tricolour high.
Physiotherapists & Trainers: The Healers
Injuries are a part of every sport — but recovery? That’s an art.
Physios, trainers, and medical staff are the people who bring athletes back from the edge. They fix what’s broken — not just bones, but confidence too. These support teams understand the body better than anyone. But more importantly, they understand the heart of the athlete — the urge to play, the fear of not making it, and the pain of being benched. They don’t just cure — they care. Remember when Neeraj Chopra came back from an elbow injury to win gold for India at the Tokyo Olympics? That comeback wasn’t just talent — it was the result of a carefully designed recovery journey, crafted by experts working round the clock.
Medical Unit Of The Indian National Football Team
Parents & Families: The First and forever cheerleaders
No one sacrifices more than the parents of a budding athlete in India.
From waking up early for practice to managing finances, from enduring the pain of separation to facing society’s questions, they do it all. Quietly. Without asking for credit. Take Mirabai Chanu’s mother, who sold firewood to support her daughter’s weightlifting dreams. Or Deepa Malik, India’s first female Paralympic medalist, whose father and husband stood by her every step — even when society doubted her because of her disability.
Mirabai Chanu With Her Mother Saikhom Tombi Devi
These families fight battles outside the arena, so their children can shine inside it.
The Unseen Staff: Kitmen, Drivers, Nutritionists, Groundsmen
There’s a heartbeat behind every jersey. A human behind every perfectly laid ground. A mind behind every meal plan.
Groundskeepers who ensure the pitch is just right. Drivers who wait patiently after long training days. Nutritionists who carefully plan meals for peak performance. These people are not visible in highlight reels. But their contributions are woven into every athlete’s journey. During the 2022 Commonwealth Games, Indian athletes credited their support teams more than ever — calling out the “invisible warriors” who made it all possible.
Mental Health Experts: The listeners to their noises
Today’s athletes face not just physical strain, but emotional storms too — from social media pressure to expectations of millions.
Sports psychologists and mental health professionals are becoming an integral part of the ecosystem. They help athletes deal with self-doubt, anxiety, and fear of failure. Simone Biles stepping back from Olympic events to protect her mental health sparked a global conversation — and even in India, athletes like Abhinav Bindra and Vinesh Phogat have spoken openly about the importance of mental well-being.
In a country where mental health is still a taboo, these experts are brave warriors, guiding others through emotional injury and back into light.
The Data & Tech Teams:
The sports ecosystem has evolved. Today, behind every match-winning performance is a team analyzing numbers, patterns, and performance graphs.
India’s elite athletes now work with video analysts, biomechanics specialists, and tech-backed platforms that help optimize training. These tech warriors are not in stadiums — they’re in labs, behind screens, watching every move, frame by frame. In India’s quest to become a sporting superpower, these minds are as crucial as muscle.
The Numbers Speak:
To understand the real depth of this silent contribution, consider this:
- India had over 500 registered physiotherapists working with athletes during major events like the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games.
- Over 250 sports psychologists are now affiliated with Indian sporting institutions and academies.
- Federations like OGQ have supported more than 50 elite athletes who went on to represent India globally.
- The Indian government’s TOPS scheme (Target Olympic Podium Scheme) has spent over ₹100 crores in the last 5 years to support Olympic athletes with coaching, foreign exposure, and recovery staff.
- Over 1,000 Khelo India centres now provide grassroots coaching support in remote villages, building the next generation of talent.
These numbers are not just statistics. They’re proof that the ecosystem is growing—and everyone in it matters.
A Small Gesture, A Big Change:
A bow to the coach. A shout out to the physio. A thank you to the parents.
Rohit Sharma Thanks Coach Rahul Dravid For His Unwavering Support And Guidance
These small gestures matter. Some Indian athletes have already begun acknowledging their teams publicly — and this needs to grow. Recognition fuels motivation. Gratitude creates a stronger ecosystem.
The Bigger Picture: India’s Sporting Future
India is no longer just a cricketing nation. We are winning medals across disciplines. From track to table tennis, from javelin to boxing — we are rising.
But to sustain this rise, we need to support the supporters. We need to invest in training, welfare, recognition, and mental health of not just athletes, but everyone around them. The silent heroes are the foundation of sporting glory. We must make sure that the foundation is strong.
A Culture Shift Is Happening
The good news? Things are changing.
Government schemes like Khelo India and Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) now recognize the importance of holistic athlete support. Private leagues and franchises in sports like kabaddi, wrestling, and football are investing in full-time support staff. Sponsorship models are expanding to include backroom staff in some cases. Media too is slowly beginning to highlight coaches and mentors, and campaigns by brands now showcase athlete stories that go beyond the scoreboard.
The TOP Scheme By Sports Authority Of India
But more needs to be done. Especially in making support systems more accessible to female athletes, para-athletes, and athletes from marginalized communities.
Conclusion:
The next time you see a gold medal, think of the sweat behind the sweat. The next time you cheer for a match-winning shot, remember the ones who made that shot possible. The next time you see a champion, salute their circle.
Because in sports – as in life – every drop counts. And sometimes, the ones who give the most, are the ones we never see!
Here’s a short clip on the role of a coach in sports: CLICK HERE
Our previous article on the dark side of sports sponsorships: CLICK HERE
Written by:- Shakshi Jain
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