A young entrepreneur in Mumbai had a normal cab ride that turned special when he found out his driver, Parag Patil, was a former Olympian. Parag Patil had competed for India in international sports events and won several medals, including two gold, eleven silver, and three bronze.

Unbelievable talent without support

The entrepreneur, Aaryan Singh Kushwah, was very touched by his talk with Patil and decided to share the story on social media to help people understand the challenges that Indian athletes face.

He wrote, "My Ola driver is an Olympian. Meet Parag Patil, Senior Olympian: 2nd in Asia in the Triple Jump. 3rd in Asia in Long Jump. Each time he has represented India internationally, he has never returned without a medal. 2 golds, 11 silvers, 3 bronzes. Yet he has no sponsors and just enough funds to feed his family, let alone pursue his athletic career. This post is a call to action for anyone that can help sponsor Paras to represent and win for India internationally."

The post included a photo of Kushwah and Patil together, making the surprise meeting even more special. The touching story quickly spread on the internet and led to many people discussing it.

A call for change

People on social media reacted strongly, sharing their thoughts about the challenges retired athletes face. Many felt proud of Parag Patil’s achievements, but they were also upset by the lack of support for athletes like him. Some commented on how this situation affects India’s ability to produce Olympic champions. One user wrote, "Bruh, this man deserves a lot. I don't know why many athletes end up like this." Another added, "This story is a harsh reminder of why India struggles to produce Olympic medals. Athletes like Parag Patil, despite their talent and achievements, face poor funding, lack of recognition, and zero long-term support. What can we do to fix this broken system and bring back such talents?

A third person said, "This is a real problem. We have multiple talent management agencies for influencers in India but none for sportsmen/women. It could potentially be a huge untapped market."