Asian Games 2018: Great opportunity to bring medals in badminton

Indian badminton news for Asian Games 2018 is the most awaited news, as the Asian Games 2018 are embarking this week. The inaugural event will take place on 18th August. The Indian shuttlers have a great chance to make this series of events worthier. The country has the best shuttlers who have great chances to conquer different laurels. The last event was held at Incheon, South Korea, four years back where the Indian badminton players managed to grab eight medals and all were bronze. Earlier in 1982 Asiad, at Delhi, India conquered three medals in the individual category while grabbed two in the team events.

In 1982, the 9th Asiad was held at Delhi wherein the sport of badminton, India had a great chance to win the Men’s Singles title. Prakash Padukone was the foremost choice of the nation and many anticipated that Padukone has the determination and capability to win the gold medal. However, his participation in the Asiad was denied as he was a professional and expertise shuttler. Many other participating countries opposed his entry.

Former Indian national champion and a peer of Padukone, U Vimal Kumar told DNA, “In 1982, Prakash was the world's best player. He was not allowed to play as he was a professional player and living in Denmark. Badminton became an open event in 1979. He was given the licenced-player status by the then world body, International Badminton Federation, and was earning prize money directly.”

However, many other professional players were allowed to participate in the 1982 Asiad, such as Indonesian shuttler Liem Swie King.

Kumar tells, “Prakash had just, in 1981, won the World Cup title in Malaysia, beating China's Han Jian including winning the first game 15-0. Prakash was not allowed as other countries including China and Indonesia objected saying India was allowing a licenced player to play in the amateur event. Prakash's absence helped Indonesia and China. Han Jian, who was a silver medallist in 1978, and went on to win a gold in 1982. Even though China and Indonesia had licenced players, they said their prize monies were routed through their national federations, unlike Padukone."

Kumar, who participated in Asian Games 1986, told DNA that Padukone "felt bad not playing in the 1982 Asiad". "He felt it was an opportunity lost. He was part of the Asian Games squad and was sitting on the side-lines and being with the team,"

After 1982, the Asian Games was not organized and hosted by India. In 1986 and 2014, India managed to get only two bronze medals.

Better Opportunity for India

U Vimal Kumar is also a former Olympian and the Chief National Coach of badminton believes, the current Indian shuttlers have better chances to win medals and the counting can be more than ever. He also said, there is a greater possibility of bagging more gold and silver medals.

He said that “We have a good chance. I was a little disappointed with the men's players in the just-concluded World Championships – HS Prannoy lost in 2nd round, Kidambi Srikanth lost in pre-quarterfinals. We have a chance in team championships if we can pull out our singles matches. Japan, China, Korea, Indonesia are all strong."

Kumar has high hopes from the women badminton players. He believes that single’s players like Saina Nehwal and PV Sindhu, along with doubles players Ashwini Ponnappa and N Sikki can grab this golden opportunity.

He said, “The last time, women played exceptionally well. That's how we got bronze. We beat Thailand in the quarterfinals and got to the semi-finals, losing to China.

"This time also, there is a good possibility of qualifying for the semi-finals. We have good depth in the singles. Sindhu has a very good chance. We can expect anything from her. Anything can happen at that level. Sindhu has been a little more consistent among the 8-10 top women's singles players. Even Saina has a chance if she is injury free. It all depends on the draw."

The upcoming Asian Games will be more competitive than ever as many of the top shuttlers from around the world will be a part of it. Indian badminton players require putting immense efforts to go through the arduous competitions of this event. In the Commonwealth Games, Indian bagged just two gold, three silver and a single bronze, but this time the rivalry and race to win the title will be much challenging.

Kumar told DNA, "All the world's best badminton nations are from Asia. If the draw favours us and if the singles players can play to their potential, we have a decent chance of team medals,"

Kumar who is the co-director and the chief coach at the Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy is prudent of the chances for Srikanth Kidambi current world no 8 and world no 11, HS Prannoy. "The recent performances from the men's section do not give a good picture. No player, barring Kento Momota of Japan, has been consistent. Considering that, our men's singles players who have beaten the world's best in the past, can win medals for the country. In men's doubles, world No. 23 Chirag Shetty/ Satwiksairaj Rankireddy have an outside chance," as cited to DNA.