Gopi sir’s call for caution pragmatic, not pessimistic, says Kashyap. Legendary Gopichand recently raged a debate by suggesting that children from middle-class families should not pursue sports professionally. Former world No. 6 framed them as a call to action to address the systemic gaps in India’s sports ecosystem. Former shuttler Guru Sai Dutt also took to social media to extend his support to the former Olympian and former world number one. ‘It’s a wake-up call we need to heed,’ said the former Olympic gold medalist and World No. 1 in women’s badminton, who won a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014. ‘The middle class, often tethered to the promise of stable jobs and education, risks everything by banking on athletic glory when the odds are stacked against them,’ he added. ‘Without robust systems to skill up athletes for alternative careers or ensure dignity in retirement, the dream of sporting success remains a gamble most can’t afford,’ he said. ‘When the fear of security and stability overshadows the passion to pursue sports, we, as a nation, fail to cultivate the right environment for the values we cherish,’ said the ex-Olympian. ‘His statement is not meant to discourage children from taking up the sport, but rather to call on everyone to create long-term growth opportunities,’ added the former world no. 6. ‘He’s not discouraging passion — he’s urging a hard look at the structural gaps that leave most athletes high and dry’
