'Exclusive badminton hall need of the hour'

Although the game of badminton is flourishing day by day, its organiser Nagpur District Badminton Association (NDBA) is finding it difficult to conduct the activities smoothly due to lack of exclusive badminton hall of their own. All the panelists including NDBA secretary Mangesh Kashikar, treasurer Yeshwant Kerhalkar and former player turned coach Ajay Dayal were of the opinion that infrastructure is the main problem in the city and that can hamper the progress of city badminton players. 

They were speaking during the penal discussion organised by Sports Journalits' Association of Nagpur (SJAN) at its office in Vivekanand Nagar on Wednesday. 

Mangesh Kashikar said, " At present we have no badminton hall of our own. We have to depend heavily on Subhedar Hall  to conduct the regular tournaments. The wooden court at Divisional Sports Complex is not fit for the badminton. Therefore we are now trying to have our own hall".

Kashikar revealed that the NDBA has approached the Nagpur Municipal Corporation authorities with a demand to handover the yet to be inaugurated  indoor sports complex at Vivekanand Nagar and for that the association has also filled the tender. 

" The wooden court at Vivekananand Nagar Sports Complex is fit for badminton activity. It we get the hall on lease, then can organise the forthcoming State Junior Badminton Championship at the sports complex in coming July", he said. Kashikar further said NIT was willing to give them land for badminton hall at South Nagpur but since the game is not popular is that area, NDBA didn't show much interest. 

Speaking about badminton scenario in the city, Yeshwant Kerhalkar who is the father of talented shuttler Sourabh Kerhalkar said to give the exposure to the city players more and more tournament should be organised. He said, " As compared to Mumbai and Pune, Nagpur lack infrastructure. We only expect good results but have no infrastructure. If in Pune there are more than 150 badminton courts, Nagpur has only around 50". Speaking as a parent he said, financially badminton is no longer a aam admi's game.  "Nowadays badminton has become more costly. We parent always find if difficult to arrange the finance. I would like to appeal the corporate houses to come forward and sponsor the players".Kerhalkar has also suggested that a national-level coach should hold a camp in the city so that the local players nd coaches will get the benefit of his experience. 

 Ajay Dayal who is imparting the coaching to the budding players said, " As compared to the days when I was playing, today's players are lucky that NDBA is supporting them. I had not seen State-level tournament in the city when I was playing but today the scenario is altogether encouraging". He also advised the palyers to utilise the services of big national-level coaches to enhance their standard. 

Shuttle shooter machine

Just like bowling machine in cricket, the NDBA has purchased China made shuttle shooter machine worth Rs 7.5 lakh. Giving more details about it Kashikar said, the machine releases one shuttle in one second in a rapid speed. It will definitely give the benefit to the senior players who always make a complaint that they have no strong opponent against whom they can compete.