Asian Games medallist Harmilan Bains has welcomed India's rapid progress in sports but raised pointed concerns about the uneven distribution of opportunities and rewards among athletes, highlighting systemic gaps that persist even as the country's sporting ecosystem grows stronger.

A Career Shaped by Sport — and Its Inequalities

The 27-year-old middle-distance runner, who has claimed one gold and two silver medals at the Asian Games, reflected on a lifetime immersed in athletics. 'My parents introduced me to sports when I was very young. I have been pursuing it professionally for about ten years now, but if I count from the start, sports have been part of my life for nearly 22 to 24 years,' she said. Her connection to the sport, she noted, runs even deeper — her mother was competing while pregnant with her, having tried out for the Fertilizer Board and Electricity Board at the time.

Unequal Rewards for Equal Effort

Bains did not shy away from naming the contradiction at the heart of India's sporting success story. 'Some athletes find success, while others perform well and still don't get jobs at the same level,' she said. 'If we compare today's medal winners with athletes from earlier generations, the situation is not the same for everyone anymore.' She pointed specifically to rowing, noting that athletes in team events can feel discouraged when teammates who put in identical effort receive different cash rewards — a disparity that, critics argue, undermines team morale and long-term athlete retention.

Shrinking Government Appointments a Concern

Bains also flagged a structural shift in how the state recognises athletic achievement. 'Before, athletes who won medals at major events often received direct appointments to high-ranking government posts, like DSP positions. Those opportunities still exist today, but they have decreased significantly compared to before,' she observed. This comes amid a broader national conversation about whether India's sports-to-employment pipeline is keeping pace with the country's rising medal count on the international stage.

India's Progress and the Role of SAI

Despite her concerns, Bains acknowledged the tangible improvements in Indian sports infrastructure. She congratulated fellow athlete Gurindervir Singh for recent achievements, remarking that what he accomplished was 'remarkable, especially considering it was accomplished with limited facilities.' On institutional support, she praised the Sports Authority of India (SAI) as an excellent platform for young athletes, while cautioning that awareness remains a barrier. 'Children still don't know how to reach that level. Small academies are very important to bridge that gap,' she said.

Focus on Fitness, Recovery, and the Season Ahead

Looking to the months ahead, Bains said her immediate priority is staying injury-free. 'Right now, the target is to compete in all the tournaments scheduled this year. If I can stay injury-free, then hopefully everything will go well,' she said. She also stressed the growing importance of recovery and nutrition in elite sport. 'Recovery is one of the most important parts after training because it affects how well you can perform in your next session. That's why having proper food that provides protein, nutrients, and nourishes the body is crucial,' she explained. With India's athletics calendar set to intensify, Bains' voice — both as a competitor and as an advocate for fairer athlete support — is likely to grow louder.