Saina Nehwal

Saina Nehwal, India’s newest wonderkid on the badminton block, has a few smart answers up her sleeve

She has kept pace with the fleet-footed Chinese badminton players and has emerged as the first Indian to win a major event since Pullela Gopichand’s All England title. And this is not the only ‘first’ preceding her name. Saina Nehwal is the first Indian woman to reach the singles quarterfinals at the Olympics and the first Indian to win the World Junior Badminton Championships. She’s currently ranked number 10. And close on the heels of that, has been named The Most Promising Player in 2008 by the Badminton World Federation. Indian badminton has never had the spotlights focused on it for quite some time now, but this level headed and determined youngster is all set to change that. Saina gives us some straight answers to the few pechidaquestions we posed…

 

Have you ever felt the need for a foreign coach? No, never. Because I’m happy and lucky that I’ve got the best training from my Indian coach, Pullela Gopichand. Whatever I’m today is because of his support and guidance. I strongly feel that the level of training that I am getting from my Indian coach is much better that of what I’d get with a foreign one. There are a lot of advantages to getting trained by an Indian coach – they understand the players, also the way the coach uses his mind to train the players is totally different.

 

Has the current bullish attitude of Indian sports impacted your breaking into the top 10? After the Olympics, I can say that people are really recognising all sports. I feel that badminton needs more results at the moment. And if I can give my best, maybe in the future, badminton can become a much loved game in the country.

Are we, as a sporting nation, perceived any differently now from a few years ago, after repeated success abroad?
Not all sports in India have done well. There are sports like shooting, badminton and boxing, which have only recently got recognition – after the 2008 Olympic Games. Obviously, this shows that sports is slowly gaining more importance in India. I’m sure the way all sports are coming up, we can also be like China. The need of the hour is proper guidance of the players. We must encourage and support them. The major drawback is that we being a sporting nation are actually behind other nations and recognise only cricket as the main sport. We should also look forward to encouraging new sports in India. I’m not happy with the way cricket is grabbing all the attention in India, as compared to other sports. You need to realise that there are other sportsmen who are also working hard and are trying to get there.

Do you think individual sports in India, like badminton for instance, will ever make an impact globally, the way cricket has?
Badminton will definitely make an impact on the global front. Now after my performance, I think badminton is getting its due recognition. Slowly, we are improving and trying to win matches at international level. I have done it and I am sure other players can also do it one day.

Are sportspersons from individual sports doing better because there’s less pressure and attention?
It is so with all kinds of sports. Individuals cannot win all the time. Sometimes, when you lose a match, you are also criticised. So it’s not true that as an individual it’s easier to perform and there are no pressures. It is quite tough, in fact, and there is too much international competition. That is more scary than when playing in a team.

What do you think your Olympic stint and breaking into the top 10 will do for your sport and the perception of India as sporting nation globally?
The sports scenario is changing in India. I see many small town players participating in tournaments and also attending training classes. It is great to see young boys and girls showing interest towards badminton ever since my performance has been lauded. If we keep this impetus going strong, I see a bright future for badminton in India

 

 

 

(Source: The Times Of India)