With a rapid rise in sportspersons’ monetary and worldly image, the role of mental conditioning for optimal performance becomes a necessity. A sportspersons’ career is defined by the drive to succeed and excel at a level above the rest. Greatness is a term gifted to those who, in the crunch moments, are able to execute complete control of mind and body, and emerge triumphant. In an era defined by record viewerships and the monetary benefits that come with it, the expectations to excel are immensely high. The Indian Premier League, one the most prestigious and financially valued leagues in the world, has athletes aged 18-19 representing teams that have several stakeholders involved – from owners to sponsors to passionate fans, all of whom add to the weight of expectations. The COVID-19 pandemic and its repercussions laid much-needed emphasis on the variable of mental well-being of a person/player – surviving through challenging and uncertain times, living in bubbles away from family, and the constant, often monotonous pursuit of peak performance – all amidst the usual scrutiny of the media and public. This is where the role of a sports psychologist comes into play, wherein the player has at their disposal a safe space to address doubts, striving to overcome them through whatever means necessary. The current head coach of the Indian men’s cricket team, Rahul Dravid, has been a staunch voice in support of the need for a sports psychologist or mental conditioning coach in the team’s support staff. In a system that is run by two extremes: fear of failure and the glory of success, athletes need to be taught and conditioned from a young age in order to develop an understanding over time to achieve excellence. In an interview, Dravid mentioned how, with players bagging lucrative franchise deals early in their careers, there is a need for financial training and lessons on how to cope up with the rise in stature and fame. The Weight of Success The cricketing world has many examples of players who reached the pinnacle of success, but crumbled after failing to constantly compete and achieve a balanced state of mind. Jonathan Trott, an English left-handed batsman who enjoyed widespread success in 2011, left the game after being unable to cope up with extreme pressure and constant competition. But perhaps the most relevant example would be that of Virat Kohli admitting after the agonising World Cup exit in 2019 that it felt like “the end of the world”. The talisman has gone through one of his worst phases as a player, which he attributes to falling prey to the burdens of expectations and the desire to excel rather than be present and live through the experience. Sports scientist executive and coach Paddy Upton, who worked with the 2011 World Cup winning Indian cricket team, has highlighted the upsides of mental strengthening and conditioning, and the numerous benefits it bestows through numerous anecdotes. These have highlighted the need for widespread changes in the coaching and management systems for players. The adoption of electric buses is a step in the right direction. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has been an advocate for flex-fuel engines and has emphasised on the need to revamp the entire public transport system to an electric base, along with increasing charging stations across the city. While the plan of action has been laid down, trouble arises when it comes to the execution.
27 Oct 2022
Allen David James
