Vol. 8, Issue 1, Part A (2026)

There exists a high rate of attrition amongst the young athletes in India, particularly between the ages of 18-21, when academic pressure, financial insecurities and uncertainty about career loom on their shoulders, because of which, these athletes, despite having the requisite talent and after putting in decades of training, drop out of sports, right before reaching their maximum potential. This phenomenon highlights a much deeper structural deficiency within India’s sporting ecosystem and culture around sports, where pursuing professionally is still regarded as a high-risk pursuit rather than any other profession. While the country is witnessing rapid commercial growth of sports leagues in the country, following the success of the Indian Premier League and Pro Kabaddi League, these developments, have unfortunately, yet to shift the cultural mindset of families, nor have they provided enough confidence for grassroots athletes to pursue their dreams.
This article examines the causes of such high attrition, linking them to the cultural preference of society toward education, the institutional support provided to athletes, and the absence of a post-sport life framework / pathways for the athletes. The article also examines the consequences of such early dropout, which frequently results in psychological distress, identity crises, and petty jobs for former athletes. The article further argues that existing policy changes, including revision of government job quotas and educational reforms in the country, would remain insufficient to address the fundamental issues faced by young athletes, and therefore require a much more feasible solution to achieve that balance.
Taking reference from the international best practices, specifically from developed countries of Europe and the United States, that outshine other countries in sports and academics, the article proposes an integrated dual-career education framework that can be tailored to Indian realities. Adopting such a framework could combine academic curricula and the sport-specific education, along with digital and blended learning models in a flexible manner to enable athletes to pursue excellence in sports without compromising on future job opportunities, whilst also fostering a more sustainable sporting culture.
The article concludes by contending that India’s key to emerging as a global giant in sports does not depend on the success of the few, but on its ability to retain, educate, and empower young athletes throughout.