In this blog, I am bringing you on the topic of the second most popular game of our India badminton. Sports in India are played all over the age groups for keeping the body fit and healthy. Moreover, badminton has huge followers in India. Besides the indoor game, due to lack of indoor space, the game has been played outdoors too. we all come up concurrently to reap Indian Badminton from its origin.
Introduction:
Cork made of feathers, so-called a shuttlecock. Furthermore, the main aim of the game is to keep the cork in the air for a long time. The winner will be decided when the opponent drops the cork without hitting with a paddle, centered by a net. Consisting of 16 feathers, very well mostly used in all types of shuttle games, now even plastic cork is available.
History of Indian badminton game:
Let’s read about history. The game was played 2000 years ago in ancient Greece. It’s ok how it came to India. Yes, you got the exact answer, it’s none other than British. In the 19th century, the British Army gave badminton to India. Poona(Pune) developed the game for school children, it is called the game of Poona.
It happens usually the same happened once again when the British mastered the sport they took back equipment whatever they wanted. Duke Beaufort hosted a party in 1873 at a place called badminton. Also, the game of Poona received a huge response among the people of India as it is entertaining.
In 1877 the first club was formed. It’s named Bath Badminton. Importantly the club is credited for developing the set of badminton rules.
The unprecedented journey of India in Badminton climbed the top of the mountain with three Olympic medals, two players ranking world number 1, and crowing the world’s first championship.
Prakash Padukone
Prakash Padukone, the father of Indian badminton, created a wave in domestic matches. Importantly winning senior, junior national titles in a year. Especially creating the International market by winning the men’s singles gold medal in the 1978 Commonwealth.
In 1980 Prakash took the all England open crown in one of the public eye tournaments. Until the historic win, who survived thought to produce the badminton champions.
Wanting to become a world-class player he took his own decision with a calculated risk. Playing for clubs in Denmark opened the doors to Europe.
Later, the great person Prakash Padukone went to open the “PPPSM – (Prakash Padukone Sports Management)” to nurture amazing young talents. The first Indian Academy for badminton with all facilities. Now it’s one of the best badminton academies in India.
Pullela Gopichand
Interestingly, the Prakash Padukone center of Excellence shaped the fame of Pullela Gopichand. To be noted, the four consecutive national title wins started in 1996. Without a doubt, a fair performer started to win the men’s double with a silver medal and a bronze medal in singles at the commonwealth games. Bringing another bronze at the Asian championship in 2000.
In 2001 he became the second badminton player to win the All England crown defeating the world’s number 1 player Peter Gade in the semis.
Creating a revolution in Indian badminton. Besides, his career came to an end due to multiple injuries to the knee. Moreover overcoming financial issues, with the help of family, friends and well wishes formed a “Pullela Gopichand academy” in Hyderabad in 2004. Without a doubt giving his knowledge to young kids.
Sania Nehwal
A player from “Pullela Gopichand academy” made her mark in Beijing in 2008. Importantly the first Indian player to win BWF super title in 2009 and 2010. Also went on to win a gold medal in the commonwealth games.
Importantly winning bronze in 2012 and 2020 Olympics with a gutsy performance. Becoming a top-ranked player in 2015 first by an Indian. 2012 Olympics is close to her heart, his husband Parupalli Kashyap the first Indian male player to reach the quarter-finals of the Olympics.
PV Sindhu
Another player from Gopichand academy made the dream come true. Starting her victory mark at the junior Asian championship. Importantly, Clinched a bronze medal at the world championship in 2013,2014 with a delightful execution.
When everyone talked about Saina Nehwal, she silently defeated the big guns and entered the finals facing the world number 1 Carolina Marin. One of the epic rivalry worlds had cherished for ages.
In Particular, Marin won with her experience. A silver medal means a lot to her making a mark in Indian badminton. Rising quickly winning BWF inaugural tournaments in 2018 and two silver medals next.
Sindhu produced another dominating performance over Okhuhara winning the BWF world championship in 2019.
Kidambi Srikanth
Underrated players of Men’s Indian Badminton, winning the national title in 2013. The male badminton player went on to win the BWF super series title. Particularly upsetting Olympic champion Lin Dan in the finals of the China open Crown. When he lost against Lin Dan in the Rio Olympics.
With the success, Srikanth marched to win four super series titles in 2017. A knee injury caused him to struggle and come back in 2021 to win a silver medal in the world badminton championship.
Less exposure, infrastructure, and people’s attitude towards the game have reasons said before. Indeed when it is improving the noise gets reduced. The future of Indian Badminton will have great heights and have great talents.