'I can be killed..': Sunil Chhetri gives harsh reality check amid India's poor outing in Olympics 2024

Former India football captain Sunil Chhetri has given a reality check of India's excellence in sports amid the Olympics 2024.

India has so far clinched 3 Bronze medals in Paris, with all of them coming in Shooting. Manu Bhaker has won two medals while Swapnil Kusale won one. Along with Bhaker, Sarabjot Singh also clinched a Bronze in the mixed team event of 10m Air Rifle.

But Chhetri believes India is still far behind in sports despite having many talents. But the veteran also admitted that youngsters playing other sports don't get the recognition like cricketers.

"A five-year-old playing football or cricket in Andaman might trend briefly but then vanish. He comes in trending once or twice and then disappears. After this he works in a call center," Chhetri said to Sports Tak.

This highlights the need for sustained support and development programs for young athletes across the country.

Importance of Early Preparation

Chhetri stressed that early preparation is essential for winning medals at international events. He expressed frustration over India's inability to convert its large population into a competitive advantage in sports.

"Despite having 141.7 crore people, we struggle to win medals. Countries like China and America are doing much better because they prepare their athletes from a young age," Chhetri observed.

Chhetri acknowledged the potential backlash for his candid remarks but remained firm in his stance. "I can be killed for whatever I am saying," he said, underscoring his commitment to speaking the truth about India's sports scenario.

He reiterated the importance of recognising and nurturing talent at the right time to bridge the gap with other leading nations in sports.

"We are far behind," Chhetri concluded, urging for immediate action to improve India's sporting infrastructure and athlete support systems.