“Progress belongs to those who ask questions; the smarter the question, the lesser the guessing.” Aniekee Tochukwu Ezekiel
Despite all the technology, advancements, justice, and democratic systems, women on this planet go through uncomfortably every day in one way or another. Yet, they embrace everything thrown at them with all their might and rise to the top in their chosen professions and personal lives. My country India is no less to any negativity and appalisms in various aspects of life. For any South Indian, it is linguistically, culinarily, and emotionally challenging to travel and work in the north. For women, especially, the situation is even darker and ever more difficult.
One of the very few professional psychologists from Telugu-speaking states Dr. Priyanka Sarkar, has availed many athletes to achieve their peak composed performance. She brings her ardency and evidence-predicated interventions to work with athletes to ameliorate their on-court performance and off-court noetic vigor (mental strength). One of her favorite topics she verbalizes is “lifestyle support for athletes through the vocation transition of an athlete.”
Dr. Priyanka draws her inspiration from a legend in Indian sports and world tennis greats Leander Paes and Monica Seles. On the same lines, she says, “My inspirations have always been Leander Paes and Monica Seles. Growing up, I only watched tennis. Not that I would have wanted it any other way. How Monica Seles returned from an unfortunate stab incident or how Leander Paes pours his heart when playing tennis has always been instrumental in every walk of my life. I always ask myself if what I did was the best I could have done. That pushes me to try harder and be better. If my inner self says, you can do better. I work on it until I am satisfied with the results.”
A thorough academician, she never really played sports at any level but was a happy cheerleader applauding and supporting her friends from the stands. A big garden and three pet dogs keep her life beautiful every day. But, professionally, destiny had other plans, and today, her life revolves around games and sports.
When asked how she prepares herself for an individual session and the challenges she comes across on a typical workday, Dr. Priyanka says,
“Before I take up any athlete, I talk to them and draft a set of questions to know more about them as an athlete and individual. Then, I send a set of questions to their coach and their parents. Once I do the profiling, I sit down with the athlete and write down the goals and why those goals are important. Then we come up with a route map for reaching those goals. I respect that the athlete is not just an athlete but also an individual. Once that understanding is established, working towards common goals becomes easier. Because no two athletes are the same and every athlete comes with their concerns, the day is more about learning about each sport and working towards the mental well-being of each athlete differently.”
It is very conspicuous, noticeable, and veritable, education provides stability in our lives, and it is something that no one can ever take away from us. By being well-edified with a college degree and qualified, we increment our chances for better vocation opportunities and open up incipient doors for ourselves. On a similar line with this, when asked about combining studying and sports for children and collegegoers, how would she exhort parents to ascertain a balance between school studies and sports, Dr. Priyanka went on to say,
“We need a flexible education curriculum tailored to meet the needs and time restrictions of the players to accommodate their sporting commitments. This culture is slowly being introduced in India. But not every college offers this, so parents, coaches, and the academic staff must discuss how to ensure that the child gets a balanced academic and sport exposure. With the availability of a distance education system, things are getting better, and we do have many athletes balancing their sports and academics because parents have been supportive. All my athletes are college goers and are professional athletes.”
Yesteryears, yesterday, and today it was, and tomorrow it will be, I fear, sports education is a subject taken for granted an excessive quantity of times. When asked how prominent academics play in a sportsperson’s life categorically if an individual has the potential to cut themselves above the rest, Dr. Priyanka said,
“Every athlete needs to be adequately educated, no matter which level they represent the country or state. This is important for acquiring social skills, which will help them later in their lives when they hang their boots. An athlete’s career is short, so they need to develop skills beyond the playing field and the skills that will help them. That education helps in character development is no secret. But not many realize that your field performance is an indirect outcome of what you have learned in the classroom. You practice what you learn. And what is important is to normalize education among athletes as a culture rather than looking it at as an alternative option.”
TSC’s Ravi Mandapaka caught up with Dr. Priyanka Sarkar, who is associated with actively participating tennis players, football clubs, and sprinters to ameliorate their optimal performance and salubrity with developmental and gregarious aspects of sports participation. Here are a few excerpts from the interview.
Ravi: Firstly, thank you for giving your valuable time to The Sports Column. Thank you for accepting our invitation for an interview! Can you tell us about what inspired you to get into this profession?
Dr. Sarkar: Thank you, Ravi, for the opportunity. I grew up watching tennis. My early memories of tennis go back to watching Steffi Graf and Monica Seles playing each other. I wanted to dress like Monica Seles and comb my hair like Steffi Graf. Soon, I joined college, stayed in hostels, and couldn’t watch many matches. I completed my graduation and started working in the IT industry. Once again, I started watching tennis. In 2014, I moved to Bangalore to work with an MNC and took up a master’s degree in Psychology part-time when my mum said she wanted all her children to have at least a master’s degree. In 2017, I completed my master’s degree and, one day was watching Rafa Nadal play Roland Garros Finals. I instantly knew I wanted to be a part of tennis in some manner. I googled “psychology in the field of tennis” and then came results for sport psychology. I completed my certification from The National School of Leadership, Pune, and started working as a sports psychologist. The wait and the detour have been worth it because ever since there have been only moments of fulfillment.
Ravi: I hate talking to anyone based on their gender, but how tough was it and it is, being a female psychologist in Indian sports? If comfortable, can you tell us the challenges you, as a woman, have faced or have been facing in India?
Dr. Sarkar: Thank you for bringing up this sensitive topic. I am not an alien, and so I did face challenges. The first time I reached out to someone for the position of a Sports Psychologist, I was told that I would be expected to “compromise” because that is what most of them in sports do. I remember holding back my tears as I couldn’t tell my parents lest they stop me from working in this industry. I was angry because he thought I could be his prey. I was disturbed that he thought I was easy. And I also worried that I had sent him the wrong opinion of who I was because I was approaching him for a job. I had two options at hand. Give in and romanticize my struggle after a certain period or show him what I am made of- morals and ethics. So I sent a message to the guy stating that I can wake up not knowing what the future holds for me but cannot wake up with the thoughts of whom I should be making happy for a career. I later realized that many aspirants are not left with much choice. But I did have a choice, and I chose to put my ethics above my career. And that is something that I always will be proud of myself for. At times, I am also given free relationship counseling because I am single and neither married nor in a relationship. People tend to forget to separate my personal and professional lives. It’s not just me but women across industries, nations, and races. A recent research study revealed that one in three women faces harassment. While our male counterparts with the same qualifications are going to work and coming back, women must put up with chauvinism, harassment, and other factors and still go to work and come back safely to their respective families.
Ravi: At what age do you think a child can decide whether to continue their sporting passion with a professional career in mind and what are the psychological effects on children when parents shout at referees or act out in other ways?
Dr. Sarkar: The Indian sports system is different from other Asian countries. In India, parents emphasize academics more than sports. While that is slowly changing, we still have a long way to go. Most athletes and parents consider sports a professional career in their mid-teens. Until then, the parents think that the child is playing for fun and let them continue to do so. That is why we have very few established athletes in their teenage. In this case, I wouldn’t find fault with the parents because the child has fluctuating interests in their adolescent years. I worked with an athlete who switched three sports before she could turn 18 and finally settled in 1 sport. I also worked with another athlete who was certain about what he wanted to do when he was 11. So journeys depend on perceptions and the support system that these athletes have. The coaches are instrumental in this because 90% of the time, the coach notices the athlete’s talent and tells the parent about their child. A strong support system or a healthy atmosphere between the parents-coach and the athlete is of utmost importance for an athlete to thrive. The parents and coach must have common goals for the athlete, and effective communication and mutual respect are essential. No parent wants their kid to be shouted at, and no coach wants to be yelled at by the parents. When that happens, it is the child that is caught in between. Fear, anxiety, and stress creep in, and the child might stop having fun while playing and stop playing the sport. To prevent this, healthy communication between parents and coaches is essential to set expectations.
Ravi: How do you see the ecosystem of sports psychology evolving in Andhra Pradesh and India? What is your advice about mentoring young players from a sports psychology perspective?
Dr. Sarkar: The fact that I am the first and only sport psychologist from Andhra Pradesh speaks about the absence of awareness of sport psychology. I wouldn’t blame anyone else for this because it is my responsibility to throw light on my work. So, in the coming months, I plan on conducting workshops and webinars to highlight the help available for specific athletes. The idea of having access to sports psychologists early on is not to wait until they need us. I remember an athlete telling me, “I know I am good, but I want to be the best, and hence you.” One rarely thinks of working with a mental health professional without reason. In India, we rushed to help after the incident, but in the rest of the countries, the kids have athlete well-being specialists as their support system to instill a holistic lifestyle. That is the hour of the need in India. And at times, parents reach out to Sports psychologists just before a tournament expecting the latter to weave magic overnight. And they disappear soon after the tournament. What goes unacknowledged is that mental skills, like your technical skills, need to be honed over time.
Ravi: Children have a vast appetite for learning, but it can dissipate dramatically if they participate in out-of-date education systems. The same can be said for a professional sport when coaching is considered. What do you think?
Dr. Sarkar: With the Internet readily available, the authentic coaching system is down the road. People watch YouTube videos and overnight become coaches without sufficient qualifications. And they do not charge as much as an authentic and well-qualified coach would usually do. And this is lucrative to most parents who already have the burden of high tuition fees. I advise parents to check the coach’s qualifications and authenticity before enrolling their child. I once spoke at a workshop for coaches and told them, “Yelling is not motivation.” One of the coaches asked, “If we do not yell, how can we motivate them?” This is the current understanding of motivation. Yes, we have technical coaching certifications for coaches, which are essential. Still, an element of psychology also should be added to the curriculum for a meaningful approach to the coaching system.
Ravi: It is unfortunate; a new interest in supporting our women’s hockey team has taken place after their Tokyo Olympic success. Would you mind sharing your thoughts on this?
Dr. Sarkar: It is not just with hockey, but this is the same with sports other than cricket or sportspeople who are otherwise not cricketers. The focus suddenly shifts to the success and not to the struggles which were instrumental behind the success. India is a cricket nation, and that single-minded devotion towards cricket has put other sports on the back foot. But I appreciate every sportsperson who wakes up and puts in the hard work hoping that one day their sport and their struggle will bear fruit. After working with upcoming players who play motorsports, tennis, and shooting, I did understand what a financial struggle it is for these athletes. Rewards, endorsements, and fame come after a major win but what is essential is the support they need on the path to success. I do not intend to take anything away from cricket and the glory that comes with being associated with cricket. But remember Sunil Chettri requesting fans in India to support the Indian Football Team? How often did you come across a cricketer asking fans to go and watch them play and support? India is slowly embracing other sports, and with E-sports being legalized, we are slowly getting there. Still, the interest should also come from the stakeholders, MNCs which support the CSR initiatives, etc. With all due respect to Neeraj Chopra’s achievements, he needs less financial support than a player struggling financially to support themselves to play internationally. This needs to change. We need more journalists to cover sports at the grassroots level. This is where tomorrow’s champions rise from. No champion is born in the Wankhede stadium or at Lords. Champions rise from the streets and local tournaments.
Ravi: The word physical abuse creates panic attacks even at the site of its hearing. Can you talk about the most significant challenges we have as human beings and professionals to help para-athletes who have been through sexual and emotional abuse?
Dr. Sarkar: No one, irrespective of the career path they are in, should face any abuse, but not those who are anatomically and physiologically challenged. They are the ones who keep the country’s flag rising across the globe. Emotional or sexual abuse can take many forms, not just physical advances. For instance, we hear stories of how our athletes are stopped at airports for their prosthetic limbs under the name of security checks. I was once traveling and cleared the initial security check. But I had a handbag, and male police were at the counter. When I asked where the female staff was, he asked me to stand aside and called in for his female colleague after clearing every passenger. That was his way of pulling me down for standing by my rights. It was just a handbag in my case, so I did not mind. But these athletes and para-athletes carry their kits worth lakhs, and last-minute purchases can cost them dearly. I once asked an international tennis player what he purchases on his international tours for tournaments. He said half is spent on purchasing the kits and sports equipment. Now imagine the damage that inadequate training or awareness within the staff causes the athlete. One of the para-athletes was allotted an upper berth despite booking her ticket under the Disability Quota. This is inhuman at all levels. A recent study revealed that the abuse the para-athletes face is psychological, emotional, physical, sexual, and neglect-related violence, financial which is operated on both interpersonal and systemic levels. Unfortunately, we are so tuned into aftermaths that we do not focus on prevention. No matter how we rephrase it, abuse in any form is unacceptable. We need a fiercer system to support our para-athletes, not just on paper but in reality.
Ravi: Can you briefly share your views on the role of women in leadership and coaching?
Dr. Sarkar: When asked to look after her younger siblings, a woman’s leadership quality is first seen as a kid. Many perceive it to be caring and nurturing, but that is when the young girl becomes a leader. And as she grows, her brother, father, or the men in the family take over the role under the disguise of protecting her. I do not see this as a wrong pattern, but now the leader in her becomes a seeker. There is a huge change in the way there. Unfortunately, the society we live in and the crimes committed against women are also a reason for this. But if every woman is taught self-defense from a young age, courage filled with leadership qualities can do wonders.
Ravi: What is your philosophy in sports and life? Do you also wish to tell anything young girls and women how to plan or restart their careers and achieve success?
Dr. Sarkar: I am a simple girl from a small town, and I do not have philosophies that I wake up to every morning. I have a simple rule either in Sports or in my personal life. Make decisions so as not to have any regrets. And draw lines where necessary. I keep my personal and professional lives separate, which keeps me sane after a long day at work. To those who want to restart their careers, do a SWOT analysis. Write down what your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats are. It is easy to feel motivated by someone giving a motivational speech. But if your strengths do not align with your aspirations, you will make the wrong decisions regarding your career. Always hold on to your ethics, morals, and beliefs, no matter what you do or where you head. Hold on to yourself, respect. There is no bigger strength than that.
Ravi: Do you have any favorite quotations on sports psychology? For an avid reader of today, what 4-5 books would you recommend on sports psychology and women in sports?
Dr. Sarkar: My favorite quote remains, “When athletes come to sports psychologists, they bring with them their entire worlds.” That quote is from the Routledge Handbook of Applied Sport Psychology. This made a deep impact on my career as a sports psychologist. Because I do not have any sports background, I ensure I read sport-specific books every time I take up a new athlete. And I do not look at myself as a female sport psychologist. I am just a sports psychologist. And gender is what comes as a part of my human anatomy and physiology. I thoroughly enjoyed reading:
- The Performance Mindset by Anthony Klarica
- The Science of the Racer’s Brain by Otto Lappi
- How Emotions are Made by Lisa Barrett
- The Gold Mine Effect by Rasmus Ankersen
Ravi: Last but surely not least, we are thrilled with the success you have achieved so far. What plans are going to be put up in times ahead? What areas are you concentrating on in nurturing the young talent?
Dr. Sarkar: I am humbled by this journey being called “success.” But this wasn’t my work alone. My parents didn’t ask me a question when I told them I wanted to quit a high-paying job to switch careers to Sports. Without their understanding, things would not have been so easy. Many people have mentored and nurtured me to reach where I am today. Due credit goes to Badri Narayana, a Sports Psychologist based out of the U.S., Rajaraman, an Indian sports presenter, Amitava Pal, associate Dean at IISM, Ramji Srinivasan, Founder Director of Sport Dynamix and Saju Joseph, a High-Performance Consultant. I can get caught up in pursuing professional achievements, but these gentlemen always keep reminding me of having a holistic and personal life. I often joke with them that they will have to be at the altar giving me away at my wedding. That is the kind of mentor that young men and women need—someone who can recognize your strengths but always tell you what is essential. One day, I hope to replicate it. For me, that would be a successful journey. As a tennis enthusiast, I have been closely associated with Vimalraj Jayachandran, an Indian professional tennis player, in his efforts to raise a fundraising campaign for his international events participation. It was an eye-opener for me regarding the reality of the upcoming athletes’ struggles in India. So, one day, I hopefully can sponsor at least one upcoming Tennis player in their pursuits to play on a bigger stage. That remains my biggest dream. And I am planning on launching my podcast, Breaking the Barriers with Priyanka, which talks to people who have broken barriers in their respective fields to make their lives meaningful.
Wonderful!