Indian Badminton and the 'S' Factor

There is no denying the fact that it will take a few more years before India’s talent in all three doubles events begins to show results. Till then SINDHU IS SEEN AS THE LONE FLAG-BEARER, not to forget a fiercely-determined Saina’s efforts to be back to winning tournaments. The growing Sindhu-Saina rivalry is also here to stay. No quarter given, none asked for. 

- Rakesh Rao

For sometime now, Indian badminton has caught the eye of the country’s sports lovers for the right reasons. A clutch of titles to go with some big wins by those who do not necessarily end up the eventual winners have kept the homegrown shuttlers in the spotlight. However, it is equally true that the game is yet to bloom in the country. But the efforts are being done.

As chief coach P. Gopi Chand puts it, “for long, we have concentrated only on a couple of players and they have given us reasons to be happy. But there is a lot of work that needs to be done before we can even think of becoming a badminton power.”

Gopi was speaking about the growth of Saina Nehwal and P. V. Sindhu, apart from the showings of P. Kashyap and K. Srikanth, despite any real structure in the country. There is a shortage of quality coaches and support staff. And the growing instances of injury to the players that are a reflection on the lack of quality trainers and timely guidance to those on the court.

LOST IN THE GLITZ of the medals won by Saina and Sindhu, is the not-so-bright side of Indian badminton. The doubles has not received the kind of focus and priority it deserves. Notwithstanding the results attained by G. Jwala, in the company of V. Diju and Ashwini Ponnappa, India has struggled tomake a presence in the paired events. An effort has started lately but the results will take time to emerge. In the latest edition of the Yonex India Open,which Sindhu won, all seven men’s pairs lost on the first day, while the home presence in the women’s doubles and mixed doubles ended on the second day!

What kept alive the event was the much-awaited Sindhu Saina quarterfinal match that the Rio Olympic medallist won in straight games. Sindhu went on to beat Korea’s Sung Ji Hyun in the semifinal and Olympic champion Carolina Marin in the final.