Jwala Gutta and Ashwini

Hyderabad: Saina Nehwal believes that the ‘golden performance’ of the Indian badminton team in the recently-held Delhi CWG should be a huge confidence booster for the next month’s Asian Games in China. “This is an unbelievable performance, especially given the fact that not many have given us a chance in the women’s doubles.

A grand salute to the doubles pair of Jwala Gutta and Ashwini for their magnificent performance,” she commented on arrival along with her teammates here on Saturday after a successful campaign in the Games. The badminton players were given a warm reception on their arrival. However, the officials of the Andhra Pradesh Olympic Association and the Sports Authority of AP were not there to receive the shuttlers.

“No doubt, Asian Games is a totally different game with the Chinese and the Indonesians taking part. But going into that with the gold in your bag definitely makes you confident “ India’s best woman shuttler remarked. 20 year old Saina, who clinched the women’s singles gold on the final day to help India finish second overall in the standings of the Games, is delighted that her victory contributed to India’s medal tally.

Jwala & Ashwini, the women’s doubles pair which clinched the gold, is equally delighted. ‘It has been a fabulous week in Delhi. We defied all the odds and surprised many with our gold,” remarked Jwala. “The understanding between us is amazing and I should reiterate that Ashwini played much better than many would have expected. She is a fantastic player and never really showed any nerve in the final,” Jwala pointed out.

Referring to her comments on Badminton Association of India President B. K. Varma, Jwala said she was only expressing her regret at not being congratulated on winning the doubles gold and that she did not say anything more. “Even now I am yet to get a congratulatory message from him”.

Ashwini feels that it was just the big win she was desperately looking for to get some recognition. “Now, the confidence level is on a high and I hope to script some more important big wins in the circuit,” she said.

Parupalli Kashyap, the men’s singles bronze medalist, was a bit disappointed that he had to face another Indian his teammate Chetan Anand in the bronze medal match. “Well, when I look back at the Games, I am really pleased with my performance having defeated former All England champ Mohd Hashim and other high rated players including Chetan for the bronze,” he said. “However, I am satisfied with my bronze” he added.

Chief national coach P. Gopi Chand termed the Indian shuttlers show in the Delhi Games as a huge reminder of the ability of these players under demanding conditions. “It was a great week for Indian badminton itself. I think many are forgetting that we won the team silver too which is a creditable achievement. Winning singles is somewhat expected from Saina given her world ranking but the icing on the cake was the women’s doubles gold. It was a fantastic display by both the girls (Jwala and Ashwini ) ,” he concluded.

Tags: Ashwini, Asian Games, Badminton, Hyderabad, Indian Badminton, Indian Sports, Jwala Gutta, Saina Nehwal, Sports, Sports India