The launch of Athlete Mind Performance (AMP) has been a profoundly personal milestone. My own journey with physical activity, whether cycling, trekking, or climbing mountains, has always been closely linked to my mental well-being. I have experienced first-hand how movement strengthens both the mind and body. AMP was born from the belief that mental fitness is essential for athletes to perform their best on the field and beyond.
When we think of athletes, we think of champions. Their stories inspire us. But behind every podium finish is an untold journey of immense mental strength, the ability to stay focused and composed under pressure. Research reveals that 21% of athletes experience anxiety disorders, with 33.6% showing symptoms of anxiety or depression and 50% facing depression after sport-related concussions. While we focus on physical endurance, technical skills, and nutrition, the last piece of the jigsaw, i.e. the athlete's mental health, is missing. That is exactly what AMP sets out to do. It offers a space for athletes to build mental fortitude, a core part of their performance journey.
The core of our programme ensures that athletes, particularly those starting young, have the tools to handle the pressures of competition and the weight of expectations. Our approach begins with outreach and awareness, which is critical in a country where the concept of sports psychology is still relatively new. We conduct workshops for athletes, parents and coaches to demystify mental fitness and highlight its importance in performance. These experiential sessions encourage participants to engage in practical exercises, introducing them to key mental training techniques such as visualisation, mindfulness, and managing performance pressure.
Once the awareness has been established, the individual consultation and assessment sessions allow us to understand each athlete's unique needs, whether managing performance anxiety, building resilience, or overcoming self-doubt after an injury. For younger athletes, the process involves working closely with parents, ensuring they are equipped to support their child's mental fitness journey.
Mental training is not a one-size-fits-all approach; hence, the interventions must be tailored based on the athlete's sport, level of competition and specific challenges. I have always believed that sport has the potential to do more than bring medals home. It fosters determination, creates shared identity, and bridges divides. The mind is, in many ways, the final frontier in sport. It is where battles are won or lost, often before a game/match has even begun.
The mental fitness of our athletes must be seen as essential to their preparation. The road ahead is long, but having sports stars like Sania Mirza, Abhinav Bindra, Aparna Popat, Pullela Gopichand, and Sourav Ganguly voice the same thoughts is one step towards embedding this holistic approach into sports training in India.