RCB Bold Diaries – Virat Kohli cites Neeraj Chopra as a classic example of India’s ever-growing sporting infrastructure

The last two iterations of the Olympics witnessed Neeraj Chopra bagging the gold and silver medal in the Men’s Javelin Throw, thereby transcending him to a pedestal where legends reside. Apart from the sporting genius of that moment, there were too many things that came together cumulatively to forge the iconic frame in two consecutive Olympics.

Talking in an interview at the RCB Innovation Lab Indian Sports Summit powered by Leaders, Virat Kohli cited Neeraj Chopra as a classic example of how his success wasn’t just one moment of individual brilliance.

Kohli pointed out that it was a methodical approach with a long-time goal in place and that is exactly what worked wonders in favour of Neeraj Chopra.

Highlighting the importance of infrastructure in sports, Kohli said, “The vision of the infrastructure has to be towards the growth of the sport but of the athlete that chooses to play that sport, rather than the other way around. I think what historically has happened is that after a big achievement, we start working backwards and how the facilities of that particular sport needs to be taken care of.”

Virat further stated, “I think Neeraj’s (Chopra) case has been a classic example of him getting the right kind of facilities along with the talent that he has and the belief to be a world beater. So we do have the potential for everyone to see and I think if the infrastructure is built with a long-term vision, then everything is fueled towards the progress of that sport, which is the most important thing.”