When Applause Is Imported, and Dreams Are Ignored at Home

By Shriya Lohia, Formula Racer

New Delhi [India], December 16: When Lionel Messi visited India, it was a moment of celebration. Stadiums echoed with cheers, social media overflowed with posts, and headlines proudly announced his presence. Some people reportedly spent ₹10 lakh or more just for a photograph with him. Crores were spent—without hesitation—for a few seconds of proximity to global greatness.

There is nothing wrong with admiring a legend like Messi. He has earned every bit of respect and love he receives. But as an Indian athlete, standing on the starting grid of my own racing journey, I couldn’t help but ask a painful question:

Is this the same India where young athletes struggle every day just to survive in sport?

This is the same country where motorsports athletes—especially girls—fight endlessly for basic funding, where sponsorship emails go unanswered, where talent is acknowledged only after it succeeds abroad, and where dreams often end not due to lack of ability, but due to lack of belief.

People are willing to spend crores on photography, but hesitate to invest even a fraction of that amount in Indian talent that could represent the nation globally tomorrow.

A Hard Truth for Indian Motorsports

Motorsports in India is not growing at the pace it should, not because we lack talent, but because we lack support systems.

• Corporations prefer safe, already-famous faces
• Individuals hesitate to back long-term athletic journeys
• Government support exists, but often doesn’t reach niche or emerging sports
• Grassroots racers struggle for equipment, travel, training, and entry fees

As a Formula racer, I know how expensive this sport is. Every race is a financial battle. Every season is a test of endurance—not just on track, but off it. Many talented racers quit before they even get a fair chance, simply because passion cannot replace funding.

Why Do We Trust Outsiders More Than Our Own?

Somewhere along the way, we as a nation have started believing that global validation matters more than homegrown potential. We celebrate talent only after it becomes international. We cheer when an Indian wins abroad, but we rarely help them get there.

This lack of faith hurts deeply.

It tells young athletes:
“Your dreams matter—but only after you prove yourself without our help.”

That is not how sporting nations are built.

A Personal Appeal

I am proud to represent India as a Formula racer. I am proud of every struggle, every sacrifice, and every lap driven against odds. But I dream of an India where:

• Indian talent is celebrated before it becomes global
• Sponsorship is seen as a belief, not a charity
• Girls in motorsports are supported, not questioned
• Dreams are nurtured, not ignored

I truly hope that one day, the same excitement we show for international stars will be extended to our own athletes, standing quietly in the paddocks, waiting for a chance.

Because when India starts believing in its own talent—
that is the day Indian motorsports will truly accelerate forward.

Until then, we keep racing.
Not just against competitors—but against indifference.

— Shriya Lohia
Formula Racer | Proudly Indian

Disclaimer: Views expressed above are the author’s own and do not reflect the publication’s views.