Sports Pe Charcha E6: The Unseen Journey of Indian Skaters
- Aug 01, 2025
- Charcha
- By Super Admin
What Sports Pe Charcha reveals about skating in India
In Episode 6 of Sports Pe Charcha, Host V.S. Rawat, President of Hardcore Sports Welfare Foundation (HSWF), talks with international skater Akash Aradhya in a special episode. Instead of just celebrating medals, they share the real stories behind them. This episode highlights the struggles, dedication, and hard work skaters go through just to reach the starting line.
The conversation dives deep into what goes unnoticed lack of financial support, infrastructure gaps, and emotional pressure. Together, they shed light on what it truly takes to build a skating career in India.
Akash Aradhya, who has represented India at global levels, opens up about the immense dedication required to stay competitive. With limited access to high-end coaching and world-class arenas, Akash has had to train abroad and invest heavily in his own development.
His story isn't one of overnight success. It's about discipline, sacrifice, and years of persistence. Through this interview, it becomes clear that medals are only a small part of an athlete’s real journey.
Indian skaters face serious challenges, starting with visibility. Akash shares how roller skating still fights for recognition among more popular sports like cricket and badminton. Funding is another major hurdle. Athletes often rely on personal savings or limited sponsorship to travel, buy gear, and train.
Aakash Aradhya highlights this issue with clarity:
"If you’re not playing cricket, it’s like you’re not in sports at all."
This lack of awareness and institutional support forces many talented skaters to either quit early or move abroad for opportunities.
The Hardcore Sports Welfare Foundation (HSWF), under the leadership of V.S. Rawat, is actively working to change the sports narrative in India. By creating platforms like Sports Pe Charcha, HSWF aims to provide visibility to lesser-known sports and push for policy-level reforms.
The discussion reflects a shared belief that change must start with conversations and be backed by structured support, from local coaching programs to government funding schemes.
India lacks the kind of skating arenas and infrastructure available in countries like France, Italy, or Korea. This forces athletes to either adjust to subpar conditions or train abroad at their own expense. Akash candidly shares the cost of pursuing excellence:
"When doors close due to lack of support, passion becomes your only companion."
His words underline how emotional resilience becomes just as important as physical strength.
Sports Pe Charcha E6 goes beyond the surface. It presents a raw and honest look at the struggles behind India’s skating success. V.S. Rawat and Akash Aradhya don’t just share experiences—they spark a much-needed conversation. If India is serious about building a true multi-sport culture, this is where it begins: with stories like these, and the courage to act on them.
Register now on Sports pe Charcha: https://hswf.network/charcha
To watch full podcast, click here: https://youtu.be/FvuVeysgWUc?si=k9mH2hlVoA9AD23q
