Double Olympic medallist PR Sreejesh on Friday stressed the need for grassroots investment and talent identification while outlining what India must do to build a stronger future at the sport's grandest stage.
The 36-year-old Sreejesh retired after playing a pivotal role in India's second successive Olympic bronze medal at the Paris Games last summer, bringing to an end a glorious career.
"Exposure is the key. Getting into the world level and performing from there is the dream," Sreejesh said during the RCB Innovation Lab Indian Sports Summit here.
"What makes the Olympics unique is the mental pressure. Preparing athletes to be equipped to perform at that level is most important."
He noted that young athletes today have many examples of Indian success on the global stage, which can help them believe in their potential.
"When we started playing, we always heard about the history of the sport. Now, we can realistically show young kids that we can achieve at the global stage. When I