Saina began her journey much like any other student—except her alarm rang long before dawn. “I used to get up at 4:30 am and take a 25 km bus ride to the stadium,” she told the attentive crowd, urging them to push beyond their comfort zones . As the young faces leaned forward, she painted a vivid tableau of her childhood: intense drills before school, rushing to make it to classes, only to return to training once more.
“There’s no shortcut,” she said. “One panipuri can decide your fate—if your opponent didn’t eat it.” Her comment drew giggles, but beneath the humor lay hard-earned truth .
Pain, Passion & Play: Lessons Beyond the Court
Saina paused during her speech to pick up a racquet, inviting a few students to join for a mini-game. There, between smashes and drop shots, she impressed upon them a crucial point: “A sportsperson’s life is not easy. It’s too much pain… but if you want to become a champion, the body has to go through the pain.” At just nine years old, she trained 10–12 hours daily at her academy—an assertion that sent a ripple of awe through the hall
Yet, she emphasized balance. Sheeding a playful nudge, she said, “I feel sad when I see kids playing mobile games for 3–4 hours. Give yourself time to play physically… set goals, be competitive, make friends.” .
A Mother’s Belief: Seeds of an Olympian
Behind every great athlete is an unwavering supporter. For Saina, that person was her mother. “People would say, ‘China, Korea, Japan—they’re too strong,’ and I would laugh,” she recalled. “But my mother said, ‘For me, you are the best.’” That faith, she said, was her foundation .
It wasn’t just inspiration—it was practical too. Her mother toggled between roles: dropping her at school, picking her up, fueling her, and ensuring Saina didn’t skip a beat in her dual journey as a student-athlete.
Tears, Loss, and Returning Stronger
Becoming a champion isn’t all glamour—it’s heartbreak too. Saina described nights filled with tears, exhaustion, and self-doubt: “Every day I would call my family, saying, ‘Aur nahi hoga (I can’t do it anymore).’ But the next day, I was back at 6 am, ready to train.” .
She also shared the wisdom of strategic patience. “I never went for tournaments unless I was 100% trained,” she said. “If the training isn’t there, the results won’t follow” .
Victory’s Sweet Echo
Saina paused, locking eyes with her young audience. “When you win a medal, everything else looks small. That moment… people enjoying, crying with you—it’s the best feeling in the world.” .
Gender, Grit & Going the Extra Mile
She challenged norms too, especially gender stereotypes in sports. Saina didn’t settle: “If boys ran one hour, I ran two. If they squatted 50 kg, I did 100 kg,” she recalled . Her philosophy was simple: meet, and even surpass, those expectations.
She linked this mindset to her academic success. Intense court sessions weren’t distractions—they were meditations. When she switched to books, she focused deeply, completing years of school assignments and exams in record time—despite minimal classroom attendance .
Risk, Reward & a Mother’s Leap of Faith
Convincing her parents wasn’t easy. For most families, sports offer little financial guarantee unless a child breaks into the top 20–25 globally. She acknowledged the risk her parents took—but also the belief that propelled her progress .
Epilogue: Challenge These Kids to Dream
Saina turned to the students one more time, racquet in hand. “Your time to dream is now,” she urged. “Don’t settle for panipuri or screen time. Test your limits on court, pitch, track—wherever your passion leads. Pain builds strength. Persistence wins medals.”
As the students leapt forward, eager to play and take selfies, one message lingered: there is no shortcut to greatness. And if they choose the harder path today, tomorrow’s medals—and memories—could be theirs.
This story of struggle, laughter, sweat, and triumph became more than a school visit—it was a roadmap for young champions. And for a few brief hours in New Town, Saina Nehwal wasn’t just a star athlete—she was a living lesson in perseverance.
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