Internet sensation, ‘Professional Chai-maker’ Dolly Chaiwala, is once again in the headlines for stealing the spotlight from the Indian men’s hockey team.

The Indian men’s hockey team made a historic return to the Olympic podium after a wait of 41 years at the Tokyo Olympics 2020 games. The team repeated this feat at the Paris Olympics 2024 held last month. However, despite their impressive achievement, the team experienced an awkward moment at the airport after returning from the Olympics.

Fans Ignored the Indian Hockey Team for Dolly Chaiwala

The team members were largely ignored by fans who were more interested in taking selfies with Dolly Chaiwala.

Recounting the incident in a recent podcast, Midfielder Hardik Sharma shared that the moment left him and his teammates embarrassed as fans flocked to Dolly Chaiwala instead.

“I saw it with my own eyes, at the airport. Harmanpreet, I, Mandeep, and others were there. Dolly Chaiwala was also there. People were getting themselves clicked with him and did not recognize us. We started looking at each other,” Hardik Sharma quoted.

Who’s Dolly Chaiwala, the Internet Sensation?

Notably, Dolly Chaiwala aka Sunil Patil, a tea-maker from Nagpur became an internet sensation due to his unique and Charismatic style of tea-making. One of the notable moments that propelled him to the global spotlight was when Billionaire Bill Gates visited his tea stall and enjoyed a cup of tea.  Gates put up that video on his Instagram and Dolly became an even bigger internet star.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C35OuItrl6h/?igsh=MW1kbXByZTVkcXU2eA==

This encounter was widely shared on social media with Bill Gates appreciating Dolly Chaiwala’s innovative approach to tea-making. Gradually, his unique style and viral fame have opened various opportunities for him including collaborations with influencers, appearances in advertisements, and potential roles for upcoming projects.

He also made his first debut in the Entertainment industry by featuring in the music video for the Hindi song “Tere Yaar ka Time” by VMC rapper in September 2023.

India’s Hockey Team Performance in Paris Olympics 2024

Additionally, India defeated Spain 2-1 in Paris and retained the Bronze Medal, which they won in Tokyo 2020. Indian Hockey team captain Harmanpreet scored more than 150 goals. He scored most of his goals on penalty corners with his lethal drag-flicks. Further Mandeep marked more than 100 field goals. His exceptional skills, off-the-all running, and knack for creating space inside the opponent’s striking circle make him a special player on the team.

Indian Athletes Face Challenges in Gaining Public Recognition

Indian athletes often face significant challenges in gaining public recognition despite their impressive performances. There are several key factors responsible including:

• Limited Media Coverage: Major Sporting events like the Olympics and Paralympics receive limited media attention in India as compared to cricket. This disparity affects the visibility of athletes from sports.
• Brand Endorsements: Securing brand endorsements is a major hurdle. Many athletes even those who win medals, struggle to capitalize on their achievements for endorsements. This impacts their financial stability and long-term career prospects.
• Institutional Support: Although there has been an increase in public investment and non-profit initiatives, the support of Indian athletes is still not comparable to that in top-ranked countries.
• Public and Government Recognition: While there are instances of government recognition and cash rewards, they are often delayed or insufficient. For example: Paralympians, often receive less attention and support as compared to their Olympic counterparts.