Saina Nehwal
Saina Nehwal is no more a budding talent. She has crossed several barriers and has evolved to become a role model for young girls of the generation. She is just 20 in age but her immense experience, vibrant thoughts, exuberant playing, dynamic backhands and electrifying smashes has only taken her to India’s highest ranked badminton player. Pumping energy and vivacious enthusiasm is the need for the hour to take Saina Nehwal to a higher level.
Saina’s glorious campaign kick started by winning the Asian Satellite Badminton tournament twice and being triumphant in junior world championship in 2008. It was game on then for Saina as she drove forward till the quarters of Olympics 2008 and bowed out fighting three nail biting sets. She struck gold at the Chines Taipei Open and at BWF Super Series later that year. She turned the heads in 2009 by plunging the Indonesian Super Series along with the Arjuna award and that was just the beginning. Saina pocketed the England super series in 2010 and bagged Singapore Super Series and Indonesian Super Series again in a period of 2 weeks which boosted her to a career best no. 2 ranking. She served the national duties by claiming gold at CWG 2010.
After an implausible last year, Saina could not start 2011 on a higher note. She suffered from a ligament injury and had to wait for Korean Open Super Series to make her mark in the international scene. But still she could not rally ahead after the 2nd round. The All England badminton Championships too did not turn out positive as she was dethroned in quarters last Friday. Cricket has always been the heart of the Indians and with some people still questioning Hockey as our national game one cannot expect the public to keep cheering behind a 20 year iconic star. But the least we can do is give moral encouragement and support at critical times of her failure and this present situation is what time demands from us. The Indian youth are at stake as they hold responsible for raising the nation’s voice. The media should not think themselves as the ones making news but rather as the ones raising talents and motivating people. More than anyone else now it should be Saina Nehwal undoubtedly deserving more media attention and coverage for the comeback of our under-19 world champion.
The Padma Shri Awardee is now due for some resurgence in her career and if that could well become true then our wait to boast as no. 1 in women badminton is nearing. But failing to do our duties could only result in a loss a great athlete and Saina Nehwal could finish off branded as an untapped talent.
Tags: All England Badminton Championships, Asian Satellite Badminton Tournament, Badminton, India, Player, Saina Nehwal, Shuttler
