With sports becoming a profession, youngsters should look for opportunities: Javagal Srinath
With sports gradually turning into a profession in India, youngsters should look for career opportunities in the field, said former international cricketer Javagal Srinath.
Participating as a chief guest at the inauguration of a two-day national workshop on 'An integrated approach to athletic performance through nutrition, gut health, psychology, rehabilitation and anti-doping awareness' organized by the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics at JSSAHER's School of Life Sciences in Mysuru on May 26, Mr. Srinath recalled that information on training, nutrition, psychology was not as easily available when he was a cricketer in the earlier '90s.
'People used to hide information,' he said while claiming that they did not have any information about the training programmes for sports in the United States, England, Australia.
'We did not know what type of training was given for cricketers, more specifically for bowlers, in Australia, which has a sporting culture,' he said. Training for sports in India, which did not have a sporting culture, was 'incomparable' to the training in Australia, he said.
While sportspersons like him in India were only practising on the field, besides lifting weights in the gym, their counterparts in other countries were undergoing advanced and in-depth training programmes, he said.
However, with the facilities, opportunities and infrastructure for sports presently available for sports in the country, Indians can now aim for the top.
Underscoring the importance of nutrition, Mr. Srinath said sports professionals should be able to guide aspiring sportspersons on what would go wrong if one messes up with nutrition, which is key for performance.
Mr. Srinath cited the example of leading cricketer Virat Kohli, who he said watches 'every morsel of food he consumes' and 'its calories' based on whether it would slow him down or help him do better on the field. 'We should look up to such people,' he said.
Mr. Srinath also emphasised the importance of psychology for every facet of life, including the performance of a sportsperson.
Dr. Raveesha K. A., Dean of Faculty of Life Sciences, JSSAHER, said the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics was starting MSc programme in Sports Nutrition and Management at a time when India is aiming to host Olympics. Such facilities will help create supporting ancillary facilities to ensure there is sufficient manpower to hold such events.
The two-day workshop will promote efforts to improve athletic performance of an individual through nutrition and other facets, like psychology, rehabilitation and anti-doping awareness, he said.
He pointed out that it is not enough to provide proteins and other nutrients to an individual. It is equally important to customise it to an individual's physiology and biochemistry, as everybody does not come from the same genetic background. 'People come from different genetic backgrounds, cultures, food habits,' he said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
4 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Hilary Knight eager to introduce PWHL and women's hockey to her new team in Seattle
As Hilary Knight winds down her international career, the four-time Olympian and long-time face of U.S. women's hockey is hardly done making inroads in her sport. Next up for the 35-year-old during a trailblazing career — in which she stood up to USA Hockey in demanding better wages and helped found the PWHL — is introducing the women's game to a new frontier as part of the league's expansion into the Pacific Northwest. 'Yeah, I guess it's sort of how my career's gone. I'm more of a builder in many ways,' Knight said with a laugh on Friday, two days after becoming the first player agreeing to sign with the PWHL's new team in Seattle. 'Ecstatic. It's an incredible honor to be part of this group and to have this opportunity. I think it's pivotal, it's important,' added the PWHL MVP finalist. 'And to have a hand in that at the ground level is an extreme honor.' And don't be fooled by Knight agreeing to sign a one-year deal. Though she's already announced the 2026 Winter Games will be her fifth and final Olympics, Knight said she is committed to continuing her pro career in Seattle beyond the PWHL's third season. 'The term doesn't really reflect my commitment or my promise to what we want to build and be a part of in the city of Seattle,' she said. The additions of Seattle and Vancouver grow the league to eight teams, and expands the PWHL's reach fully across the continent. In switching coasts, Knight bids farewell to her longtime ties to Boston, which go well beyond the two years she spent serving as captain of the PWHL Fleet. Before her college days at Wisconsin, Knight attended a prep school in New England, and later spent six years playing in Boston for its CWHL and NWHL franchises. Seattle brings Knight much closer to her offseason home in Sun Valley, Idaho, and to where she's enjoyed several fond memories. The foremost came in 2022, when she was wowed by the 14,551 fans inside the NHL Kraken's arena for a U.S.-Canada Rivalry Series game. And she was back in the same arena in January with 12,608 fans on hand to watch Boston play Montreal to open the PWHL's nine-game neutral-site Takeover Tour series. 'When the league announced that Seattle was gonna be an expansion franchise, I was like, 'Oh, my gosh, whoever has an opportunity to get out there, it's just going to be an amazing setup and wonderful fan base,'' Knight said. 'I think things aligned for me personally in the right way. And I cannot wait for puck drop.' Knight is coming off a stellar season in which her 29 points were tied for the league lead with New York rookie Sarah Fillier. She also captained the U.S. to win its 11th gold medal and her 10th at the women's world championships in April. Knight will already have some familiar faces joining her in Seattle, following the signings of U.S. national team members Cayla Barnes and Alex Carpenter. The 31-year-old Carpenter agreed to a one-year contract on Friday. She spent her first two seasons in New York and ranks third on the PWHL career list with 43 points in 50 games. Seattle filled out its fourth and fifth spots with Ottawa forward Danielle Serdachny and goaltender Corinne Schroeder, who signed a two-year contract. The all-time PWHL leader in shutouts spent the past two seasons with New York. The signing period runs through Sunday followed by both teams filling out their rosters to 12 players in the expansion draft on Monday. All eight teams will then take part in the PWHL draft on June 24. Knight reflected on how upon finishing college in 2012 there were few options for women to continue pursing hockey careers outside of their respective national teams. The CWHL didn't pay its players salaries, while the NWHL did but endured several hiccups and was eventually bought out to establish the PWHL in 2023. 'We all wanted this 20, 30, 100 years ago,' Knight said of the PWHL. 'I'm just so grateful for all the people that came before us to be able to have this league,' she added. 'I think we're in really good hands with where we started Year 1 and where we're going. And what an amazing hit out of the park to be able to expand in Year 3.' women's hockey: /hub/womens-hockey
Indian Express
4 hours ago
- Indian Express
Virat Kohli's playbook for life: 3 books that shaped his mindset beyond cricket
Written by Chanakya Chandrupatla Virat Kohli, one of cricket's most celebrated players, made his debut for the Indian Cricket Team on 18th August 2008—the same year he was picked by Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the Indian Premier League. Known for his explosive batting, unmatched fitness, and aggressive tactics, Kohli has consistently kept opponents on the back foot, challenging their abilities at every turn. Beyond the cricket field, Kohli is also an avid reader who often shares books that have influenced his mindset and personal growth. Here are some of his top recommendations: The 'Autobiography of a Yogi' A spiritual classic published in 1946, this autobiography delves into the teachings of Kriya Yoga and the life of Yogi Paramahansa Yogananda. Kohli has mentioned in interviews that the book had a profound impact on his life, calling it a must-read for those open to challenging their thoughts and ideologies. Yogananda was among the first Indian spiritual teachers to settle in the United States, and his book has sold over four million copies worldwide. Notably, he was also one of the first prominent Indians to be hosted at the White House by President Calvin Coolidge. Detox Your Ego: 7 easy steps to achieving freedom, happiness and success in your life The book speaks about one's ego and how does it stop one from performing at their best. The book takes you on a ride and talks the importance of self-discovery. The author talks bout steps to eliminate ego and the ways to achieve freedom, happiness and success in one's life. Kohli said that the book has helped him to control his emotions and stay grounded. The books talks about how a leader should guide without having ego. The book proposes ' Leadership without ego '. It guides the reader by suggesting seven steps to lead a happier, freer and more enhanced life. A fascinating exploration of cross-cultural inspiration, this book aligns with Kohli's own journey of growth and adaptability. It features 70 prominent Indians and Italians sharing their experiences, highlighting the importance of mindfulness, emotional intelligence, and peak performance. Through personal anecdotes, the book showcases the mutual influence between the two cultures, making it a compelling read for those interested in global perspectives. ( Chanakya Chandrupatla is an intern at the Indian Express )
Indian Express
5 hours ago
- Indian Express
In a first, four Indian chess players in the top 10 rankings
For the first time in history, four Indians are in the top 10 chess rankings. Alongside D Gukesh, Arjun Erigaisi, and R Praggnanandhaa — now regulars among the world's elite — Aravindh Chithambaram has climbed to ninth place with a live rating of 2757.8. The milestone followed Aravindh's victory at the 6th Stepan Avagyan Memorial in Jermuk, Armenia, on Friday, where he edged out his close friend and training partner under coach RB Ramesh, Praggnanandhaa. Both players tied for first place with 6.5 points each after nine rounds, but Aravindh claimed the title due to a superior Sonneborn-Berger score (tiebreak points), due to his stronger performance against higher-ranked opponents. The tournament began with a draw between Praggnanandhaa and Aravindh, and the two remained evenly matched until the final round. Entering the last game, both Indians were tied at 5.5 points after eight rounds, needing a win to secure the title. Praggnanandhaa struck first, defeating Armenia's Robert Hovhannisyan, forcing Aravindh to win his game to clinch the event. Aravindh obliged, overcoming Armenia's Aram Hakobyan with the black pieces to claim the championship. Both players remained undefeated, scoring four wins and five draws each. However, Praggnanandhaa later reflected on a missed opportunity in the second round against Danish GM Jonas Buhl Bjerre, where he had a winning position. 'It was a good tournament for me, but I still missed this one chance in the second round. I could have probably won the tournament had that result gone my way, now it'll probably be tied for the first spot.' Praggnanandhaa told Chessbase India, accompanied by his trainer, Vaibhav Suri. 'Overall happy with my performance, I was mostly well prepared for almost all the rounds, just rue that game against Jonas otherwise I would have been on plus five,' he added. Aravindh's win in Armenia mirrored his earlier title win at the Prague Masters, where he outperformed Praggnanandhaa in a star-studded field featuring Wei Yi, Anish Giri, and Vincent Keymer. While Aravindh took the title, Praggnanandhaa's performance was equally impressive. The 19-year-old now sits sixth in the live ratings (2774.2) and leads the FIDE Circuit standings. With 83.59 points from five events — including wins at the Tata Steel Masters and Grand Chess Tour Romania Classic, a joint-second finish in Prague, third place in GCT Poland Rapid & Blitz, and now second in Armenia — Praggnanandhaa is the frontrunner to qualify for the 2026 Candidates Tournament via the FIDE Circuit. He holds a commanding 42.27-point lead over second-placed Aravindh (41.32 points), who has competed in three events. Both players will next compete at the Uzchess Cup in Uzbekistan, starting June 18, alongside strong players like Ian Nepomniachtchi, Nodirbek Abdusattorov, and Arjun Erigaisi.
