BADMINTON | Saina feels that India needs more attacking women players

Saina Nehwal, London Olympics bronze medallist, calls for more attacking players with all-round skills in India's women's badminton section. She, along with P.V. Sindhu, is a mentor for Badminton Pros, an academy launched to develop young talent. Saina believes that with more academies and Govt. support, the gap between her and Sindhu and other players can be bridged. She also hopes her success will inspire young girls to put in their best.

London Olympics bronze medallist and ace shuttler Saina Nehwal said that India now needed a lot more attacking players with all-round skills in the women’s section.

“Honestly, there is a huge gap between us (Saina and P.V. Sindhu) and the current crop of players. We really need players who can attack right through a match like myself and Sindhu do,” the 33-year-old Saina said after being named mentor for Badminton Pros (badminton coaching academy) launched by Vijay Lancy and Anup Sridhar here on Wednesday.

“I do hope we will get results soon in the women’s section too. At the same time, I don’t think we need only specialised women coaches. It will take time for sure,” she said.

For someone who triggered a revolution in India especially amongst girls, Saina said it was time to decentralise the academies structure.

“I think it is happening now. We should have many more academies and coaches with the governments also supporting in a big way,” she said.

“I feel immensely satisfied when people say that my exploits have given the kind of self-belief to the Indian women shuttlers. Prakash [Padukone] Sir and Gopi [Chand] were role models. Sindhu and I have achieved so much that the young girls can put in their best foot to emulate us,” Saina added.

Saina also made it clear that coaching was not her cup of tea.