<div class='bc_element' id='bc_element'1 style=' background:#FFFFFF;color:#000000;font-family:Verdana;width:auto;padding:5px;max-height:100%;'><span><p>When Anand Mahindra highlighted figure skater Tara Prasad’s achievements on social media, it was a rare moment of mainstream attention for an athlete competing in a discipline that remains largely unfamiliar in India. Prasad’s journey—one that saw her renounce her U.S. citizenship to compete for India—raises broader questions about how non-traditional sports are viewed and supported in the country.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p><b>Who is Tara Prasad?&nbsp;&nbsp;</b></p><p><br></p><p>Tara Prasad was born on February 24, 2000, to Indian immigrants from Tamil Nadu. Raised in the United States, she was introduced to figure skating at a young age, a privilege of growing up in a country where winter sports have long-established infrastructure and competitive pathways. Skating rinks, coaching programs, and talent identification systems provide athletes in the U.S. with structured progression, something largely absent in India.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>Prasad, however, made an unusual decision for someone with such access—she chose to compete for India. In 2019, she switched her citizenship, making a formal commitment to represent a country where figure skating barely registers in public consciousness. Since then, she has won the Indian national championships in 2022, 2023, and 2025.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>Her international credentials include silver medals at the 2024 Reykjavik International and 2024 Skate Celje, both considered important competitions for skaters aiming to build international rankings. She has also competed in the final segments of the Four Continents Figure Skating Championships in 2022 and 2023, one of the highest stages of competition for non-European skaters. At the 2025 edition of the event in Seoul, she finished 16th.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>Despite her achievements, the absence of institutional support for figure skating in India means that much of her career is self-driven. Unlike cricketers, footballers, or badminton players who find themselves in systems with sponsorship deals, league structures, and media attention, figure skaters rely on fragmented funding sources. Even for established athletes, the costs of coaching, training, equipment, and travel can be significant, often requiring family support or private sponsorships.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p><b>The Choice to Compete for India&nbsp;&nbsp;</b></p><p><br></p><p>Athletes shifting national allegiances is not new. Countries with strong sporting traditions often attract talent from regions with weaker systems, offering better training facilities, funding, and international exposure. The opposite, however, is rare—especially when the move is from an established sports nation like the U.S. to a country where winter sports infrastructure is minimal.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>Prasad’s decision to represent India is a statement in itself. It is not simply about competing under the tricolor but about bringing attention to a sport that has little institutional recognition. The question, however, is whether India is ready to recognize and support such athletes.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>India’s sporting priorities have long been determined by history, geography, and economics. Cricket’s dominance is a product of both colonial influence and commercial viability. Hockey, once India’s pride, declined as global formats evolved and domestic investment faltered. Sports like badminton and wrestling have seen a resurgence, but largely due to individual breakthroughs rather than systemic shifts.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>Winter sports, by contrast, do not feature in public discourse. Despite a handful of athletes making it to global events—such as alpine skier Arif Khan’s participation in the 2022 Winter Olympics—the sport remains underfunded and overlooked.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>Prasad’s presence in international figure skating events, therefore, is significant. It is not about an individual seeking personal success but about the larger question of whether India is willing to extend serious attention to sports that do not fit into its traditional framework.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p><b>What Comes Next?&nbsp;&nbsp;</b></p><p><br></p><p>Mahindra’s social media post has amplified awareness of Prasad’s achievements, but recognition on social media alone is not enough. The real question is whether such moments lead to tangible support.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>Athletes in emerging sports often struggle with access to proper training facilities. In India, the lack of professional ice rinks means that figure skaters like Prasad must train abroad. Sponsorships and government funding, if available, are often irregular or insufficient. If India is to have a serious presence in winter sports, structural changes must follow.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>The 2026 Winter Olympics is Prasad’s next major target. Whether she qualifies or not, the larger conversation must shift toward how India nurtures its athletes across all disciplines. Sports governance in the country has long been reactive—investing in sports only after a medal or a global breakthrough has been achieved. Prasad’s journey is a test case for whether India can break this cycle and proactively build systems that support athletes before they succeed on the international stage.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>Winter sports in India will not change overnight, but every athlete who chooses to compete for the country in these disciplines forces a reconsideration of how the sporting establishment defines its priorities. Prasad’s decision to skate for India is, in that sense, more than just a personal choice—it is a challenge to the system itself.</p><span></div>