Cricket mad Indians, not only in India but throughout the world, are completely unaware, uninterested in other sports where Indians excel. These sports are weight lifting, shooting, hockey, tennis, wrestling and above all badminton, one sport Indian players dominates, along with China, although measuring sporting success by Olympic standard, India occupies bottom place, in terms of medal win per population ratio.
Last Sunday, India’s top badminton player Srikant Kidambi won Australian open Super Series title, beating China’s Olympic champion Chen Long in two straight sets, scooping $750,000 reward. This was his second successive super title win in just eight days. This feat did not go unnoticed, as even PM Modi congratulated him in his “Mann Ki Baat” broadcast. A “Padma Shree” award may not be far off!
Other world class Indian badminton players are Sania Nehwal, former world number one with twenty international titles to her name, P. V. Sindhu and many more. Even at tennis, one of the most competitive sports, Indian players excels, especially in doubles and mix doubles, charming Sania Mirza draws as much attention as any top cricket player. Other notable famous names that we may remember are Leander Paes, Mahesh Bhuphati and Vijay Amritraj, tennis player turned actor with a role in 1983 Bond movie Octopussy. It is time Indian people appreciate their achievements, made possible through hard work, dedication and self-discipline.
Kumudini Valambia
By email
