Harvinder Singh, Rotary Club of Bombay Arvind Jolly Award for Excellence in Sports awardee and Paralympic gold medallist……
Harvinder Singh, Rotary Club of Bombay Arvind Jolly Award for Excellence in Sports awardee and Paralympic gold medallist in archery, discusses his achievements with his coach Gaurav Sharma, journalist Khalid H-Ansari, and Rtn. Mudit Jain.
Rtn. Mudit Jain: Harvinderji, your performance has been consistent over the years, with lots of medals and now gold at the Paris Paralympics. Were you confident of winning this gold?
Mr. Harvinder Singh: Thank you so much for having me here. Sir, I was always confident. I always say the destination you reach is always on your mind. It’s never out of the blue; it has always been a dream since I started archery 12 years ago. That manifestation and hard work have paid off and led me to this gold medal.
Rtn. Mudit: All of India is so proud of you, as you are the first Paralympic gold medallist from India. Abhinav Bindra was the first gold medallist in the Olympics for shooting, and now Harvinderji is the first in the Paralympics. How does it feel to be the best in the world, Harvinderji? You are number one globally.
Mr. Harvinder: It’s a huge accomplishment to win and become a champion at the most prestigious event in the world. I won a gold medal at the Para-Asian Games, but the Paralympics are the pinnacle of my category. For India, it’s a historic medal in para-archery. I am extremely grateful and fortunate to have achieved this.
Rtn. Mudit: There’s fame and recognition, but there must be immense effort behind it all. Could you share your training schedule — the long hours and the discipline needed to prepare yourself for such an achievement?
Mr. Harvinder: Yes, it was intense. We trained for seven hours daily, divided into three to four sessions, including yoga, meditation, and weight training. There was a lot of hard work. An athlete sacrifices so much to reach the top. It’s been three to four years since I visited home for Lohri, Diwali, or any festivals. Even during COVID, we were in a training camp. There’s a great deal of sacrifice and hard work involved, but when it all culminates in a gold medal, it’s a feeling of immense sukoon.
Rtn. Mudit: Mr. Gaurav, can you tell us how Harvinder improved under your guidance since 2016 when you began coaching him?
Mr. Gaurav Sharma: Well, there’s a saying in Punjabi, ‘pooy ke paaon palne mein dikh jaate hain’ (a child’s potential is evident in their cradle). We first met in 2014 when I was part of the district team. At the time, Harvinder was in the compound category. By 2016, I joined Punjab University, where there were hundreds of students. Harvinder stood out — he was very intelligent and excelled in his studies. We brought him into the fold and helped shape him. He’s exceptionally talented.
Rtn. Mudit Jain: What is the relationship like between a coach and an athlete?
Mr. Gaurav: We are like friends. Actually, I am 35, and he is 33, so we’re nearly the same age. It’s never felt like a traditional coach-student relationship.
Rtn. Mudit Jain: Padmashri Khalid, I can’t resist asking — you’ve covered nine Olympic Games, which is remarkable. Could you describe the atmosphere behind the scenes in the locker rooms and elsewhere? Is it tense, competitive, or festive? We usually only see the festive side.
Mr. Khalid H-Ansari: Do you mean the atmosphere behind the scenes? Well, when you’re representing your country at the highest level, there’s so much at stake and such a huge responsibility on your shoulders. You can only expect the atmosphere to be extremely tense and supercharged. The focus is absolutely incredible — athletes are entirely locked in on their upcoming events.
That said, the camaraderie among athletes is remarkable. Friendships are formed that last a lifetime. In some cases, marriages have even taken place! So, the atmosphere is dual-faceted: within each athlete, there’s a burning desire to excel, but between athletes, it’s very cordial and friendly.
Rtn. Mudit: Thank you! It’s like a mini United Nations, if you ask me — people from all over the world. I can’t resist another question, Khalid. How is the bonding within the Indian team — the athletes, coaches, and officials? I know the athletes give their all, but do they bond well with the officials too?
Mr. Khalid: Mudit, you’ve touched a raw nerve here. I’ve had many issues with officials over the years. If there’s one key reason athletes don’t always perform to their potential, it’s often due to the officials. This has been a recurring theme in my writings. Even when I was part of the All India Council of Sports with Field Marshal Manekshaw, we constantly clashed over this. I firmly believe that with better officials, our athletes could achieve much more.
Rtn. Mudit: Thank you, Khalid. I thought so, but I wanted to hear it from someone who’s been up close.
Harvinderji, the Olympic Gold Quest (OGQ) has supported you. Who else has contributed to your journey — your family, the army, or any other organisation?
Mr. Harvinder: OGQ has supported me since 2019. I had won in 2018, but after that, there wasn’t much support. OGQ stepped in, and they provided an annual budget for my training, boarding, and lodging while travelling for sports. Even today, I am grateful to them for their support. Apart from OGQ, my family and the trust of my coaches have been instrumental. I’m also part of TOPS (Target Olympic Podium Scheme), which has been supporting me since 2019. They have a review system and provide support as long as you are performing. Additionally, the Central Government has been supportive.
Rtn. Mudit: I read that during COVID, your family played a key role in helping you train.
Mr. Harvinder: Yes, during the lockdown, we learnt that the Paralympics were postponed. I decided to resume training and arranged for equipment to be sent from Patiala. My father helped by levelling the farm for my practice. It was the post-harvest period in north India, so the farms were empty, and I had plenty of space. Many locals, who were free during the lockdown, came to watch me train. It turned into a unique and enjoyable experience.
Rtn. Mudit: I read that Abhinav Bindra once said he didn’t even breathe while shooting because even a micro-movement could affect the goal. What is your experience with this?
Mr. Harvinder: Shooting and archery are similar in this regard. In my game, when you’re pulling the bow, you breathe in. At the anchor point, for those 5–10 seconds, you stay absolutely composed, neither breathing in nor out. During this time, you release the shot. Breathing movements can cause vibrations that disrupt the first pull. There are specific techniques in archery, just as in shooting, to manage this.
Rtn. Mudit: How was your support staff? What roles did they play?
Mr. Harvinder: They played a crucial role. Since OGQ started supporting me, I’ve had a personal coach for weight training, a physiotherapist, and a psychologist from Pune. Recently, after competing, I indulged in eating whatever I liked. However, a nutritionist reviewed my diet and imposed limitations to ensure I stayed in peak form. This comprehensive support system has been incredibly beneficial.
Rtn. Mudit: Gauravji, how are the sports facilities in India compared to those abroad?
Mr. Gaurav: They’ve improved significantly over the years. Ten years ago, there were no organisations or CSR initiatives supporting athletes. Now, we have CSR funding, OGQ, TOPS, GoSports Foundation, Reliance, and the Government of India. Things are far better than they used to be.
Rtn. Mudit: What are your views on hiring foreign coaches for Indian athletes?
Mr. Gaurav: It’s like a hierarchy. Think about it — if we’re at war, would you ever see a Pakistani General helping India win? That’s the difference. Apna banda apne liye kaam karega (one of our own will work for us).
Rtn. Mudit: Harvinderji, tell us about some of your endorsements.
Mr. Harvinder: The world has evolved, and people are becoming more inclusive of sportspersons. Para-sports are gaining recognition, and with our medal wins, awareness is increasing. This has opened doors for endorsements. My fellow athletes endorse brands like Puma, Adidas, and Bisleri. I, too, have some endorsements. This has been fruitful for current and aspiring athletes.
Rtn. Mudit Jain: You’re completing your PhD in Economics. What are your future plans?
Mr. Harvinder: I’ll finish my PhD soon. Right now, my focus is on playing for the country. There was a time I considered quitting, but my coaches convinced me to continue. I always think, if I had quit, who would have won this historic medal? Representing India is the highest honour, especially when the national flag is raised, and the anthem plays in a foreign country. That’s what every athlete dreams of.
Rtn. Mudit Jain: Gauravji, what’s the difference between training and overtraining? How do you strike a balance to reach peak performance?
Mr. Gaurav: As a coach, I believe in pushing the limits. However, there’s a fine line. For instance, sometimes I’d ask Harvinder to shoot 100 arrows, but he’d reason with me that 50 were enough and overdoing it could be counterproductive. I recall a time before the quarterfinals when it was raining heavily, and we were on the pre-field. I was tense, but Harvinder was calm, having experienced similar conditions before. For fun, he started shooting poorly — scores of five and six. I watched a couple of rounds before telling him I wanted a ten or I’d leave. He smiled, shot a ten, and then did it again when I repeated my request. That’s his way of lightening the mood. If you’re enjoying the process, even overtraining doesn’t feel overwhelming, but otherwise, it’s best avoided.
Rtn. Mudit: You’ve been in this field for 20 years, first as a player and now as a coach. Is there a viable career in coaching in India?
Mr. Gaurav: Coaching has become a good career option, especially in athletics. However, some athletes don’t take their coaches along to events, which can hinder progress. Harvinder, on the other hand, involves his coaches, family, and friends. We function as a team, and that’s vital for success.
Rtn. Mudit: How much politics is there in sports?
Mr. Gaurav: No comments.
Rtn. Mudit: What do you think are the three or four most important things India needs to do to take sports to a world-class level like other countries?
Mr. Khalid: There’s a great deal to be done. For years, barring cricket and a few other sports, many disciplines have been treated poorly. The fundamental requirement is to make sports compulsory at the school level. I understand it’s a herculean task — there are challenges like lack of grounds and funding — but the Government of India can do much more. Sports doesn’t just win gold medals; it develops character and instils numerous desirable qualities in people.
We need better financing, more equipment, exposure abroad, and top-quality coaches. While we’ve seen improvement over the years, especially in the last two Olympics, there’s still a long way to go. The disappointing performance in the Paris Games highlights that. Athletes like Harvinder redeem the situation, but there’s immense room for growth.
Harvinder, when asked about your future plans, I was hoping you’d say, “win medals in the next two tournaments!” I’m a little disappointed that wasn’t your reply. But I’m sure you’ll work hard. Your name, Harvinder, means “Brave warrior of God” or “divine conqueror.” We wish you luck in living up to that name!
Rtn. Mudit: Khalid, one final question. The BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) is flush with funds. Do you think they could adopt other sports to help upgrade their infrastructure and standards?
Mr. Khalid: I haven’t seen the latest figures for sports funding, but the allocation has always been paltry. To be honest, I don’t think the BCCI would want to do that. They’re doing exceptionally well in cricket and should focus on their discipline instead of dabbling in others. It’s better they concentrate on their strengths.
Rtn. Mudit: Some final words before we close?
Mr. Khalid: This morning, I jotted down a few points about archery because I’m admittedly ignorant about the sport. I’ve covered nine Olympic Games but never archery, which I regret. I’d like to understand more, so Harvinder, could you explain what recurve archery is?
Mr. Harvinder: There are two main types of archery — recurve and compound. Recurve is the traditional bow style, like those seen in the Mahabharata or Ramayana. It’s used at the Olympics and is shot over 70 meters at a 122 cm target face. It’s considered more challenging.
Compound archery, introduced globally in 2004, involves bows with advanced features like a lens, water level, and a trigger mechanism. It’s shot over 50 meters and is used in other competitions but not the Olympics. Personally, I started with compound archery, but my performance wasn’t great. After a brief hiatus, my coach encouraged me to switch to recurve, which suited me better.
Mr. Khalid: Archery is gaining popularity. But the equipment is expensive. How does this work in a country like India, where affordability can be a challenge?
Mr. Harvinder: Yes, archery is an expensive sport. The best equipment costs around ₹4–5 lakhs annually and is imported from Korea or the USA. Indian-made equipment is suitable for beginners but not for professional athletes.
For those in rural or semi-urban areas, affordability is a significant challenge. However, there are organisations and CSR initiatives that support promising athletes. Winning medals at the state or national level can also bring financial aid. For example, in Haryana, prize money for national victories can be reinvested in the sport. That’s what I did, and it helped me transition to competing for India. So, while the cost is a barrier, support systems are improving.
ROTARIANS ASK
What is the Indian government doing for differently-abled athletes?
Mr. Harvinder: The situation has significantly improved over the years. For instance, India sent 54 athletes in the last Paralympics; this time, it was 84. Para sports are gaining recognition, and there is now security for the future, whether through cash rewards or job opportunities. The government ensures we get the same equipment and stipend as abled athletes. Ultimately, it’s about perspective. I could have let my disability hold me back, but I chose to play and win. Now, people know me for my achievements, not my disability. The government’s support has been instrumental in inspiring many differently-abled athletes to pursue sports.
Many see the Paralympics as the real Olympics now. But many athletes miss the podium and finish fourth. What does it take to secure a medal — mental or physical strength?
Mr. Harvinder: It’s all about mental strength. If you’re aiming for bronze, it’s a 50-50 chance — you might end up fourth or win the medal. I already had a bronze, so my focus was on winning the semi-final to guarantee at least a silver or gold. When I made history, my coach and I hugged for five minutes. But even then, we calmed ourselves quickly and motivated each other to aim for gold. That’s the determination you need. There’s immense pressure, but staying calm and positive makes all the difference.
How do you deal with losses? And what role should parents play in a child’s sport? Additionally, when do you think the conditions for athletes will improve?
Mr. Harvinder: An athlete never truly loses — you either win or learn. Losses show you where to improve, and they help you become better. My coaches have always taught me to stay grounded and work hard.
As for parents, their involvement is crucial, but it shouldn’t overshadow the coach’s role. Parents and coaches need to collaborate for the child’s mental growth. Coaches guide the diet and overall support needed. However, parents sometimes interfere after watching things on YouTube, which can disrupt the process. That needs to be balanced.
Regarding conditions, things are improving. New sports centres are being built, though many still need to be wheelchair accessible. An athlete should feel cared for, just like in foreign countries. Facilities need to meet those standards. For example, we now have an archery ground in Sonipat. While there’s room for improvement, progress has been commendable.
Before the Paralympics, what was your diet like? Did you make any changes? And how many hours did you practice daily in the lead-up to the Paris Olympic Games?
Mr. Harvinder: In India, we had proper dietitians guiding us. But in Paris, we were given meal coupons for two Indian restaurants. With limited options, some days we ate pizza or burgers. Many athletes brought their own food or cooked meals like chapatis and sabjis. It was a wonderful experience, and sharing these meals together boosted morale during practice.