NAGPUR, Nov 26, 2008
NOTING that there was no major difference as far as skills and court crafts are concerned, former world top 10 badminton player Nandu Natekar feels that the Indian shuttlers have "weak legs" as compared to other international shuttlers.
Interacting with scribes at ‘Meet the Press’ organised by Sports Journalists Association of Nagpur (SJAN) at Dr Ambedkar College, Natekar shared his thoughts at length.
To a query as to why the Indians were lagging behind at international level and the presence of few known names in badminton, Natekar said, "To be popularly known, a player has to win a major title. I was a national champion six times and won three international events. People remember (Prakash) Padukone and (Pulela) Gopichand because they have won the All England tournaments.
"Indian players are very talented. They are not behind as far as skills and court crafts are concerned, what they lack is stamina. They have weak legs. This is the only grey area as far as Indian shuttlers are concerned. They have beautiful mind and can play skillfully but not for a long duration. However, the new points system has reduced the playing time that will benefit us more than others."
On present Indian players and the future of badminton in the country, Natekar said, "The future is definitely good. There are a couple of players like Chetan Anand and Anup Sridhar. A big title win would do a world of good for them. Saina Nehwal is a very good player and what I like the most about her is her ‘zid’. Winning an Olympic medal is not easy. You have to be consistent throughout the tournament to win a medal. It’s not like a ‘natak’ (play) wherein you can perform well the next time. A bad match here and you are out. But one can say she is a medal prospect at London Olympics."
Natekar further said, "Unlike old times, the scene is fast changing. Good courts are coming up at almost all district places and like Saina, players are emerging from smaller places, so we can say the future of badminton is good."
A born sportsperson that he is, Natekar played cricket, tennis and tried his hands at other sports too with aplomb. When asked whether he repented sticking to badminton while other sport might have given him more fame and financial gains, Natekar said, "No regrets. In fact I am very happy and content with what I have achieved in my life. With so much love and respect I still get at the age of 75, you cannot ask for more"
(The Hitavada)
