“You Can’t Play Forever”: Sindhu Urges Young Athletes to Prioritise Studies

Two-time Olympic medallist P V Sindhu on Wednesday stressed the importance of education for aspiring athletes , cautioning that focusing solely on sports can be risky as careers may end abruptly due to injuries.

Speaking at a fireside conversation at DPS International with educationist Devyani Jaipuria , Sindhu shared insights from her own journey. She recalled the stress fracture in her left foot before the 2016 Olympics , which sidelined her for six months and left her with little preparation time. Despite the setback, she went on to win a silver medal at Rio 2016 .

"I have been playing for so many years. At some point, you have to retire. Education, however, stays with you for life," Sindhu said, emphasising that academic achievements provide a lifelong safety net beyond sports. She echoed national coach Pullela Gopichand , who advises parents to ensure children balance studies with training.

Sindhu, who has completed her MBA , shared the challenges of managing studies alongside a demanding training schedule. "You go for morning training, come back to study, then evening sessions…It’s not easy. But both are important," she said, underlining that hard work in studies and sports is equally crucial.

Highlighting the unpredictable nature of sports, Sindhu warned that injuries can be sudden and career-altering . "You might face surgeries, setbacks…you have to be ready for everything in life. Sport is important, but it cannot replace education," she said, urging budding athletes to maintain an academic backup.

The Hyderabadi athlete also reflected on the mental struggles she faced during injury, admitting that she experienced self-doubt about her future in sports . She urged young athletes to recognise that education is a lasting asset , while sports careers are temporary.

Currently on a break after being stranded in Dubai due to the closure of airspace amid American and Israeli bombing of Iran , Sindhu used the platform to encourage holistic preparation for life, stressing that studies and sports must go hand in hand .