Sipping my coffee on a quiet morning, I switched on the TV—only to find the Indian tricolour rising on screen. The moment belonged to 17-year-old Aisengfa Gogoi from Assam, who had just clinched gold in the 55kg category at the Khelo India Youth Games with a stunning 183kg total lift. While the nation applauded her strength, my thoughts drifted to someone off-camera—her sports mentors. The coach and sports administrators who recognized her potential long before the world was watching.
In the roaring arenas of Olympic glory or cricketing triumph, it’s easy to miss the inspirational figures working silently behind the scenes. These sports mentors are the quiet architects of India’s sporting transformation—moulding talent with patience, resilience, and vision.
Champions are not born in stadiums; they’re built in silence—by sports mentors who never step on the podium.
As Co-Founder of Trendvisionz, I’ve spent years mentoring my team and curating stories that empower, uplift, and inspire. Over the past 25 years, I have worked with many individuals. I’ve seen how real change often happens quietly, after the spotlight moves on.
This article highlights 10 remarkable sports mentors. Their stories show that true victories are not always seen on the podium—but they make a lasting impact.
Also Read:
The Landscape of Sports in India
India’s sports story has changed. While cricket still grabs headlines, other sports are finally getting the spotlight. From Olympic wins to youth records, the country is seeing success across disciplines. Behind this progress is a growing sports ecosystem—built through government schemes, private investments, and the constant work of coaches and sports mentors. Their efforts have helped bring talent from villages to global arenas, proving that India’s sporting journey is just getting started.
🔹 Quick Highlights:
- India is evolving from a cricket-obsessed nation to a multi-sport powerhouse.
- Success in Olympics, Paralympics, and youth events reflects strong national progress.
- Government programs like Khelo India and private support from JSW Sports and OGQ are making a real impact.
- Women now form 36% of India’s sports fans, and viewership is growing fast.
- Mentors and coaches are the foundation of this growing sports ecosystem.
India’s sporting rise isn’t just about medals. It’s about the systems, support, and people behind the scenes. At the heart of this change are sports mentors—those who spot talent early, build discipline, and prepare athletes to shine on the world stage. The next section will introduce you to 10 such mentors who are quietly shaping India’s sporting future.
10 Sports Mentors Who Transformed Indian Athletics
India’s sports journey is shaped not just by athletes, but by the mentors behind them. These ten sports mentors have built champions, transformed systems, and inspired a new era of athletic excellence across India—often away from the spotlight.
1️⃣ Gaurav Khanna – Head Coach, Indian Para-Badminton Team
Gaurav Khanna turned his personal setback into a national breakthrough. After an injury ended his playing career, he dedicated himself to coaching para-athletes. His unwavering mentorship has produced world champions, established top-tier training infrastructure, and reshaped India’s para-sports landscape with empathy, discipline, and quiet determination.
Gaurav Khanna’s Para-Badminton Mission
The journey of quiet strength and determination. A former national-level badminton player, his career was cut short due to injury. But instead of stepping away from sport, he chose to build others up. Since 2015, Gaurav has led India’s para-badminton revolution.
Para sports coaches like him, empower athletes with disabilities through expert training, resilience-building, and inclusive mentorship pathways. His deep empathy, hands-on training, and personal sacrifices have made him a pillar of para-sports development in India.
🏅 Key Contributions:
- Built a world-class para-badminton training facility in Lucknow
- Para shuttlers have won 972 medals, including multiple world championship titles.
- Indian para shuttlers secured four Paralympic medals—two gold, one silver, and one bronze.
- Recipient of the Dronacharya Award (2019) for excellence in coaching
- Advocate for sports accessibility in India, especially for athletes with disabilities
Gaurav Khanna’s work proves that true mentorship goes beyond medals. He is building a movement, one athlete at a time. The sports mentors believes nurturing young talent today will script India’s golden chapter at the 2028 and 2032 Paralympic Games.
2️⃣ Manisha Malhotra –Head of Sports Excellence, JSW Sports
From winning matches on the tennis court to building champions off it, Manisha Malhotra has redefined athlete support in India. Her work at JSW Sports bridges high-performance training with a deep commitment to mentorship and systemic sports development.
Everyone wants a medal very quickly and that’s very hard to get, so we need corporates who have a long term vision to stick it out. We’re not selling the thought of a medal, but we focus on the journey of an athlete — Manisha Malhotra, JSW
Bridging Talent and Opportunity: Manisha Malhotra’s Sporting Vision
Manisha Malhotra’s journey extends far beyond her achievements on the tennis court. A former Olympian and Asian Games silver medalist. She retired early and stepped into a role that would change Indian sports from within. In 2005, she joined the Mittal Champions Trust, helping elite athletes prepare for the Olympics. Today, as Head of Sports Excellence at JSW Sports, she has shaped one of India’s most successful private mentorship programs. Her athlete-first approach has helped identify and nurture Olympic talent across disciplines. Manisha Malhotra plays a key role in shaping JSW Sports leadership model.
I was on bed rest after double surgery. I thought, let’s do something and show the world what people with disabilities are capable of- Gaurav
🏅 Key Contributions:
- Headed the Mittal Champions Trust, supporting elite athletes
- Leads athlete scouting and development at JSW Sports
- Co-created the Inspire Institute of Sport, India’s first privately funded high-performance center
- Champion of grassroot sports at JSW and a strong voice for women in sports administration.
Manisha Malhotra’s journey proves that sporting impact doesn’t end at retiremen. It begins when athletes become mentors for the nation’s future. She continues to pave the way for women leaders in sports. Proving that with gender equality in sports, Indian women can change the landscape of Indian women in sports
3️⃣ Vijay Barse – Founder, Slum Soccer
A former sports teacher, turned street football to Slum Soccer founder The grassroots initiative by Vijay, uses the game to drive social transformation and uplift underprivileged youth. Through sport, he has given youth a path to purpose, dignity, and hope, proving that mentorship can begin right on the streets.
I am a sports teacher, but I am not promoting the development of football. I am promoting development through football – Vijay Barse
Football with Purpose: Vijay Barse’s Game for Good
While working as a sports teacher in Hislop Collge in Nagpur. Once he witnessed a rainy-day football game played by slum children. This moment that sparked an idea that would change countless lives. What began on muddy fields now reaches thousands across India, offering sports training, education, and life skills. His story inspired the Bollywood film Jhund, showing the impact of one mentor who believed the field could change lives.
🏅 Key Contributions:
- Founded Slum Soccer, empowering street children through sport
- Winner of the FIFA Diversity Award (2016) for promoting inclusion
- Developed a self-sustaining model combining football with social impact
- Recognized globally as the Slum Soccer founder, changing perceptions of sports for development
Vijay Barse proves that football is more than a game. It’s a tool for transformation, especially when guided by a mentor who sees potential where others see poverty.
4️⃣ Bishweshwar Nandi – Gymnastics Coach
Bishweshwar Nandi rose from the humble gyms of Tripura to the Olympic stage, shaping a legacy grounded in unwavering discipline and steadfast belief. His unwavering commitment turned limitations into strength and gave India its first true presence in the global world of artistic gymnastics.
Balancing Grace and Grit: Bishweshwar Nandi’s Coaching Legacy
Bishweshwar Nandi has been a lifelong gymnast, but his name rose to national prominence as the coach of Dipa Karmakar—the first Indian female gymnast to qualify for the Olympics. Hailing from Tripura, Nandi trained Dipa under modest conditions, often without proper equipment or infrastructure.
His unwavering discipline, emotional resilience, and commitment to excellence helped put Indian gymnastics on the global map, culminating in a near-podium finish at Rio 2016.
🏅 Key Contributions:
- Coached Dipa Karmakar to Olympic-level performance in artistic gymnastics
- Honoured with the Dronacharya Award in 2016 for exceptional coaching.
- Promoted gymnasts and grassroots sports development in underrepresented regions
Bishweshwar Nandi’s journey is a testament to what can be achieved with belief, discipline, and a coach who refuses to give up—no matter the odds.
5️⃣ Pullela Gopichand: Building a Badminton Legacy
Badminton has emerged as one of the most popular sports in India. Driven by the heroics of its shining stars and the unwavering support of their dedicated coaches. From a calm and determined athlete to one of India’s most respected mentors, Pullela Gopichand reshaped Indian badminton with quiet resolve. His academy grew beyond a place of training—it sparked a nationwide movement. By prioritizing values, grit, and vision, he crafted not just champions, but a lasting badminton legacy.
Beyond the Net: Gopichand’s Blueprint for Sporting Greatness
Pullela Gopichand, former All England champion, chose to serve the sport beyond his own playing years. In 2008, he established the Gopichand Badminton Academy in Hyderabad. A facility that would go on to produce global icons like PV Sindhu, Saina Nehwal, and Kidambi Srikanth. His coaching model blends intense physical discipline with a deep understanding of athlete psychology, helping India dominate international courts with precision and pride.
🏅 Key Contributions:
- Established India’s leading badminton academy, known for producing world-class champions.
- Mentored Olympic medalists and World Championship winners
- Awarded both the Dronacharya and Padma Bhushan
- Known for his sports development programs and holistic coaching methods
Pullela Gopichand’s mentorship has not only delivered medals—it has created a pipeline of champions who carry India’s flag to the top of the world stage.
6️⃣ Abhinav Bindra – From Olympic Glory to Athlete Advocacy
Abhinav Bindra made history as India’s first individual Olympic gold medalist. But the impact didn’t stop there. After stepping off the podium, he dedicated himself to transforming India’s sports ecosystem through cutting-edge science, mental wellness, and performance support—ensuring future athletes are better prepared than ever to win.
The Abhinav Bindra Foundation, in collaboration with the IOC and Reliance Foundation, launched the impactful “Let’s Move India” initiative to promote youth fitness and Olympic values. Bindra remains instrumental in strengthening the Olympic support system India needs today.
Through a series of digital challenges and regional school initiatives, we are encouraging individuals to participate in various forms of movement, be it dance, local sports, or athletic celebrations – Abhinav Bindra
Precision to Performance: Bindra’s Post-Podium Mission
After clinching gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics in shooting, Abhinav Bindra turned his focus to sports infrastructure and athlete well-being. He founded the Abhinav Bindra Targeting Performance Centre, bringing cutting-edge sports science to India. His work emphasizes mental health, injury prevention, and holistic performance, supporting athletes in ways beyond medals.
🏅 Key Contributions:
- Received the Olympic Order for his outstanding contributions.
- Honoured with the ISSF’s highest accolade, the Blue Cross, at the General Assembly
- Advocate for mental health and Olympic support system India
- Abhinav Bindra Sports Foundation: introduces Global Best Practices to each avenue of sport, the foundation envisions a robust ecosystem that strives towards an accountable, accommodating, and aspirational culture.
Bindra’s legacy proves that elite success must translate into lasting support for the next generation.
7️⃣ Meenakshi Pahuja – Champion Swimmer and Advocate for Change
Meenakshi Pahuja swam against the current—both in water and in life. A national champion, educator, and open-water pioneer. She has dedicated her life to empowering young athletes, especially women. Through coaching, teaching, and advocacy, she continues to shape a future where sports and education go hand in hand.
Swimming with Purpose: Meenakshi’s Multifaceted Mission
A national-level swimmer turned educator, Meenakshi Pahuja uses sport as a vehicle for empowerment. She has coached Olympians, pioneered open-water swimming, and remains dedicated to teaching physical education at Lady Shri Ram College. Her advocacy for women athletes, mother-athletes, and inclusive facilities has changed how sports intersects with life and learning.
🏅 Key Contributions:
- Thrice Limca Book record-holder and open-water pioneer
- Coach and mentor to national swimmers and triathletes
- Awarded Nari Shakti Puraskar in 2018 for her work with women in sports
- Advocates for women in sports and sports-education balance
Her mentorship flows far beyond the pool—into classrooms, communities, and countless young lives.
8️⃣ Boniface Prabhu – Wheelchair Tennis Player
Harry Boniface Prabhu, paralyzed since age four, pushed past every limitation to emerge as a trailblazer in international wheelchair tennis. From Grand Slams to founding India’s first wheelchair tennis academy. His journey is one of grit and grace. He transformed personal struggle into purpose, mentoring para-athletes and redefining what inclusion in sports truly means.
A Champion in Every Sense: Boniface’s Impact on Para-Sports
Surpassing his disability, Boniface Prabhu rose to become one of India’s most acclaimed para-athletes. A Grand Slam participant and Paralympic medalist, he later founded the Wheelchair Tennis Academy to give others what he never had—structured coaching and opportunity. His journey reflects courage, resilience, and the power of mentorship through lived experience.
🏅 Key Contributions:
- First Indian to play all four Grand Slams in wheelchair tennis
- Winner of multiple international medals including the Sydney Super Series
- Founded India’s first wheelchair tennis academy
- Vocal advocate for sports accessibility in India
- Passionate voice for making sports accessible and inclusive
Boniface proves that true mentors don’t just overcome—they help others break the same barriers.
9️⃣ Dr. Payoshni Mitra – Athlete Rights Advocate
Dr. Payoshni Mitra isn’t a coach, but her role in sports is no less vital. As a fierce advocate for gender empowerment1. She has often stood beside athletes in landmark legal battles. Her efforts guarantee that every athlete, no matter their identity, is treated with fairness, dignity, and equal opportunity to compete.
Voices Unheard: Dr. Mitra’s Fight for Gender Equity in Sports
Dr. Payoshni Mitra started her journey as an athlete and evolved into a leading global advocate challenging gender discrimination in sports. She advised in the landmark Dutee Chand and Caster Semenya cases. She helps athletes navigate harmful sex-testing policies. Her work focuses on protecting rights, rewriting policies, and empowering athletes silenced by systemic bias.
🏅 Key Contributions:
- Director and Trustee at the international women’s fund, Women Win, advancing gender equity in sport.
- Appointed as the Director and Trustee of the Geneva-based Center for Sport & Human Rights
- Consulted by IOC, FIFA, and UN bodies on inclusion and gender policies in sports.
Her advocacy empowers every athlete, regardless of identity, to compete with fairness and respect.
🔟 Satpal Singh – Former Wrestler & Award-Winning Coach
Satpal Singh transitioned from the wrestling mat to mentoring with unmatched dedication. A champion himself, he molded Olympic medalists like Sushil Kumar at Delhi’s Chhatrasal Stadium. With decades of discipline and vision, he has built India’s most formidable wrestling legacy, inspiring generations through his commitment to grassroots training and mentorship.
Strength in Simplicity: Satpal Singh’s Wrestling Wisdom
A gold medalist turned legendary coach, Satpal Singh has trained multiple international wrestling stars, including Olympic medalist Sushil Kumar. Known for his discipline and traditional techniques, he’s mentored athletes at the Chhatrasal Stadium in Delhi for over three decades, creating a foundation for India’s wrestling dominance.
I am lucky to be a part of the change and achieve what I had dreamt for the akhada. I had just one self-interest—Olympic medal- Guru Satpal
🏅 Key Contributions:
- Dronacharya Awardee and Arjuna Award recipient
- Trained Olympic medalists including Sushil Kumar, Yogeshwar Dutt, and Ravi Kumar Dahiya.
- Co-founded a wrestling academy -Chhatrasal akhada to nurture grassroots sports wrestling talent in India.
Satpal Singh’s legacy lies not in the medals he won—but in the champions he built.
Why Sports Mentorship is the Future of Indian Athletics
Sports mentoring in India is redefining how India shapes its athletes. It’s no longer just about training—it’s about nurturing confidence, character, and career clarity. From grassroots talent to Olympic podiums, mentors are becoming the backbone of Indian athletics. These coaches behind Indian athletes guide them in their journey with purpose, insight, and unwavering belief.
What is the difference between a coach and a mentor?
A coach focuses on performance, skill-building, and short-term goals, often in structured settings. A mentor offers long-term guidance, shares experience, and supports personal and professional growth beyond just training or competition.
Mentoring in India is More Than Just Coaching
Sports mentorship goes beyond drills and techniques. In the Indian sports ecosystem it builds mental strength, life skills, and long-term character. Mentors support athletes through setbacks, pressures, and the demands of elite performance—both on and off the field.
A Shift Toward Holistic Athlete Development
Athlete development today is not just about fitness. Mentoring in India now includes:
- Nutrition and recovery planning
- Mental wellness and stress management
- Access to physiotherapy and injury prevention
- Career guidance and transition support
These additions are helping athletes stay consistent and competitive for longer.
Corporate-Backed Sports Development Programs
Private institutions are playing a key role in building structured mentoring systems:
- JSW Sports and OGQ invest in Olympic training and athlete scouting
- Inspire Institute of Sport offers world-class training environments
- Tata Trusts focuses on nurturing grassroots and tribal sports talent
Such programs make mentorship scalable and science-backed.
👩 Women Leaders in Sports Mentorship
More women mentors are now guiding India’s future athletes. They bring inclusive leadership and support:
- For mother-athletes balancing family and sport
- In creating safe, empowering training environments
- As role models in traditionally male-dominated coaching circles
The Ripple Effect: Athletes Become Mentors
Many successful athletes return as mentors, bringing lived experience and inspiration. This self-sustaining cycle helps mentor new talent from across India, especially in grassroots sports.
Mentorship is no longer optional—it’s a key pillar of India’s growing sports ecosystem and future international success.
Also Read:
- Women in Sports: Overcoming Obstacles to Achieve Athletic Success
- A New Dawn: Sports For Women Empowerment Leading The Way
FAQ: Sports Mentors
What are the top 10 popular sports in India?
Cricket tops the list, followed by football, badminton, wrestling, hockey, kabaddi, tennis, athletics, boxing, and shooting. These sports beyond cricket have strong fan bases, government support, and representation in global events like the Olympics and World Championships.
Who are the top 10 Paralympic athletes in India?
Top Paralympians include Devendra Jhajharia, Mariyappan Thangavelu, Avani Lekhara, Sumit Antil, Deepa Malik, Manish Narwal, Bhavina Patel, Singhraj Adhana, Varun Singh Bhati, and Yogesh Kathuniya—each making history across events like javelin, shooting, and table tennis.
What are the best sports schools and academies in India?
Top sports schools in India include Inspire Institute of Sport, Gopichand Academy, National Sports School Balewadi, Sports Authority of India (SAI) centers, and DPS RK Puram, known for balancing academics with professional-level coaching.
Conclusion
Behind every record-breaking athlete stands a sports mentor who saw potential before the world did. These sports mentors are the backbone of India’s sporting success—guiding, shaping, and supporting talent across disciplines.
From grassroots programs to Olympic podiums, their impact is deep and lasting. This article celebrates 10 inspirational figures. They are not just coaches behind Indian athletes—they are changemakers in the Indian sports ecosystem. As India rises in global athletics, it’s time to recognize and support the individuals behind the scenes.
Let’s elevate the sports mentors powering this quiet revolution—because they build champions long before the medals come.
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Additional Resource
- Mitra, Payoshni. (2021). Economic Empowerment in Sport, Gender and Development. 10.1108/978-1-83867-863-020211003. ↩︎
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