Building Sustainable Careers for Indian Athletes

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India's sporting landscape is evolving rapidly. From Pro Kabaddi's emergence in 2014 to over 10,000 fans turning up to watch a Javelin event, a new generation of athletes is rising from local grounds to national television, driven by talent, determination and growing fan interest.

But as this progress is celebrated, a crucial question remains: are sporting careers in India being built to last from the ground up, or are we still reliant on a handful of breakthrough stories?

The foundation of any lasting career lies in structure. While the last decade has seen
tremendous development, many athletes continue to navigate unpredictable journeys. A 2023 FICCI report revealed that fewer than 5% of professional athletes in India earn enough from sport alone to ensure long-term financial security. This highlights the need for a more dependable ecosystem that goes beyond elite performance and prize money.

So, what does a sustainable sporting career really mean in today's Indian context? And how can India move from potential to structure?

Competitive Platforms: From Exposure to Endurance

For any athlete to grow, they need consistent opportunities to compete. Structured, year-round tournaments help athletes sharpen their game, build stamina, and stay visible to selectors and sponsors. In Kabaddi, we have strives to develop the Yuva Kabaddi Series for instance, to build development tournaments that bridge the gap between grassroots and top-league-level play.

These formats not only keep athletes match-ready through the year, but also provide scouts, coaches & top end teams with a steady view of emerging talent, while also providing the talent a stable income and strong exposure from playing the sport itself.

Why this matters: Careers built on one season of performance rarely last. When athletes play regularly, they develop rhythm, attract backing, and grow in confidence to perform under moments of pressure. Platforms that offer continuity are key to career longevity and go deeper than relying on flash-in-the-pan talent. At the Yuva Series alone, we've focused on less tangible facets like financial literacy, media training and anti-corruption education which then allows players to turn up more game ready when they hit the bright lights of the PKL.

Building the Athlete Economy

A sporting career also should not just end with a playing contract, and I am personally a case in point as someone that lost their playing career at the age of 22 through knee surgeries, while going on to build other careers in sport over the last decade and a half...and it hasn't been easy!

A strong athlete ecosystem needs to support parallel professions, coaching, physiotherapy, content creation, Broadcast, nutrition, psychology and more. With Kabaddi now the second-most watched sport in India, demand for support roles is rising rapidly and professionalisation of the same is critical.

Why this matters: These adjacent roles allow athletes to transition without exiting the ecosystem. It gives them a way to extend their professional involvement in sport across 15 to 20 years, rather than limiting it to a short competitive window. This encourages more new entrants to pursue the sport, knowing that opportunities extend beyond the mat or field, while critically keeping the demons of insecurity away.

Financial Literacy and Post-Play Planning

Sporting careers peak early. This makes it essential to equip athletes with life skills well before retirement. Training in financial planning, mental health, injury recovery and digital presence must become part of athlete development pathways. Models from countries like Australia and the UK show how structured athlete transition programs can support post-retirement growth.

Why this matters: When athletes are empowered to plan beyond the game, they make smarter decisions in it. They don't look for quick means to financial gains through unethical means. They save, invest in the own careers, and build alternate skill sets that ensure they remain professionally relevant even after hanging up their boots.

Aligning Commercial Growth with Athlete Value

As India's sports industry grows, with broadcast and sponsorship deals on the rise, it is critical to ensure athletes see a fair share of that value. League structures and brand partnerships must consciously embed athlete-first policies, from revenue sharing to performance-linked bonuses and post-injury support. For this to be encouraged however, teams must have longer term contracts in place to scout and entrust players with shared values and then invest in each other.

Why this matters: The trust that athletes place in the system is directly tied to how well the system supports them. When value flows down the pyramid, it builds confidence and encourages greater participation. It also signals that sport is a viable career path, not just for a few but for many.

Despite the current challenges, India is at an inflection point. Today's athletes are more connected, more aspirational and more aware than any generation before. They are backed by growing fan bases, relatable success stories, and a digital media ecosystem that showcases their journey. Families are increasingly willing to support children taking up sport seriously.

What India needs now is structural consistency. Instead of momentary recognition, athletes need a long-term plan, one that stretches from grassroots competition to post-retirement mentorship. Policymakers, leagues, sponsors and educators must align around this central principle: athletes are not just performers, they are professionals.

The future of Indian sport depends on how well we design for the people at its core. With athletes at the centre, India will not only produce world-class talent, it will sustain it. And that is the true marker of a growing sporting nation.

By Suhail Chandhok, CEO, U Mumba & Co-Founder, Elev8 India Sportz