SWOT analysis of the Indian sailing team for Paris Olympics 2024
The Indian sailing team is gearing up for the Paris Olympics 2024. This time India will have only two representatives in the showpiece event. Nethra Kumanan will feature in the women's dinghy and Vishnu Saravanan in the men's dinghy event.
Compared to Paris, India had sent a four-member sailing team to the Tokyo Olympics. Nethra and Vishnu had also represented the country back in 2021, while the team also included the men's 49er duo of KC Ganapathy and Varun Thakkar.
Indian Sailing Team SWOT Analysis
Strengths
Experienced sailors: Both Vishnu Saravanan and Nethra Kumanan have previous Olympic experience, having competed at the Tokyo Games. The international exposure can thus give them a competitive edge.
Recent competitive exposure: India’s sailing team recently participated in multiple international events, including the Marseille test event. The event in Marseille helped them gain valuable competitive experience and adapt to international standards.
25-year-old Varun had a great outing at the Asian Games 2023 in Hangzhou, where he won the bronze medal in the men's dinghy ILCA. Notably, he claimed the top spot at the EurILCA Europa Cup in Spain in March this year.
Kumanan, on the other hand, finished just shy of a medal at the Hangzhou Asian Games in fourth. However, she secured her spot for the Paris 2024 Olympics with a stellar performance at the Last Chance Regatta in Hyeres earlier this year.
Weaknesses
Inconsistent performances: Despite their experience, India’s sailing team have been inconsistent. For instance, in the Marseille test event, Nethra Kumanan finished 22nd, and Vishnu Saravanan 32nd. They would want to work on their consistency at the highest levels.
Back at the Tokyo Games, Vishnu had finished 20th, while Nethra was 35th in their respective events.
Limited support and resources: Sailing is not as popular or well-funded as many other sports in India. The lack of resources and world-class facilities, and participation in more international competitions could help them improve going forward.
Opportunities
Growing interest and investment: There is a growing interest in sailing within India, which can attract more investment and support from both the government and private sector. Enhanced funding could improve training facilities and support systems for the sailors.
Potential for historic achievement: Indian sailors have the opportunity to improve on their Tokyo finish, which could significantly boost the sport’s profile in the country and inspire future generations.
Threats
High level of competition: The global competition in sailing is intense, with countries like Australia, the Netherlands, and Great Britain fielding exceptionally strong teams. Competing against such powerhouses poses a significant challenge.
Unpredictable weather conditions: Sailing is heavily influenced by weather conditions, which can be unpredictable. Adverse conditions during the events could impact the performance of the Indian sailing team.
Pressure and expectations: With increased attention and expectations, the pressure on the Indian sailing team couls be immense. Managing this pressure while delivering top performances will be crucial for their success.