Badminton Queen of India Saina Nehwal

by Saran, Renu

  This was the turning point for Saina who walked away with a three-point cushion with a smash, a net dribble and round-the-head drop to move to 19-16. Shixian soon managed to get another point with a smash and made it 19-17. But Saina soon acquired the match point with yet another smash that floored Shixian. The Chinese hit the shuttle out and India’s pride, Saina threw her racket to the audience in celebration. It was a proud moment for Saina and the entire nation.

  BWF Masters Tournament, 2011

  The 2011 BWF Super Series was the fifth season of BWF Super Series. This season marked the beginning of second-three year cycle of the event since the first one from 2007 to 2010. Few changes were announced by Badminton World Federation (BWF), as India promoted as one stage while Swiss was dropped off as part of it. Five tournaments were promoted as Premier Super Series event with more prize money awarded then the Super Series tournaments. The Masters Finals was held in Liuzhou, China from December 14–18, 2011.

  The BWF Masters Tournament is definitely the tournament where the best players across the globe compete to win the biggest prize money. Usually, the top eight players from Super Series tournaments of the previous year are eligible for playing this game.

  Since Saina was on a winning spree for the entire 2010, she was invited for the game. Saina considered it an honour to receive the invitation. And she made it to the finals. Saina always considered Indonesia as her second home. Here, she won the crowd over with her fighting spirit all week. She had spent four-and-a-half taxing hours on court in her last four matches. But this high spirited girl didn’t show a sign of physical exhaustion. This was remarkable on the part of a badminton player.

  Saina Nehwal playing the BWF

  Masters Tournament, 2011

  However, after reaching the finals, this fantastic player let slip the early advantage as she went down to world number one Wang Yihan. She had to sign off as runner-up in the BWF season-ending World Superseries Finals.

  The world number four, the first Indian to make the final of the prestigious event, lost 21-18, 13-21, 13-21 against the Chinese in a contest lasting over an hour. With this win, Yihan kept her 100 percent record against Saina intact, having now beaten her in all their four faceoffs so far. In the first game, leading 11-8, Saina failed to judge the sharp drops from Yihan who mixed her shots very well to deceive the Indian and narrow the gap.

  Saina became anxious and lost a point for hitting outside before being called for a fault as Yihan made it 14-14. With a powerful smash, Saina moved to 16-14 but a couple of weak net shots meant she allowed her rival to close the gap further 16-18.

  A long rally which ended with Yihan hitting the shuttle out gave Saina a 19-16 lead. But Saina hit one out to hand the service over to Yihan. The Chinese player used it for her own good and narrowed it down to 18-19.

  After sometime, a good netplay together with some clear-cut cross-court shots allowed Saina a game point. She immediately made it count by pushing Yihan. But her fans were stunned by yet another unforced error.

  The battle was getting interesting. Saina’s anticipation was good. However, Yihan’s accuracy couldn’t let her breathe. At 5-7, Saina involved Yihan in a long rally. Here, she earned a point using her trademark body smash.

  Saina covered the court in an amazing manner. However, Yihan was adamant. She again managed to push the shuttle in irretrievable areas in an attempt to gain points. Saina levelled at 8-8 using a sharp drop shot. Yihan did not have a clue about it. But India couldn’t rejoice much due to some unforced errors by the Indian in conjunction with some quick drops. This made way to the Chinese enjoy at 11-9.

  Soon, a stunning rally combined with some brilliant retrieves allowed Saina to level at 1-11. But Yihan couldn’t tolerate this and pinned Saina to the baseline and led 15-11 with the Indian hitting wide. Saina faltered with her return shots and succumbed to unforced errors. Yihan now widened the lead to 18-11. Saina did earn two quick points but once again she hit outside and and allowed Yihan the game point at 20-13. The Chinese player didn’t waste any time to attack back into the contest at 21-13.

  Towards the end, Saina had a brush with unforced errors. This allowed Yihan to lead 3-0. Saina earned a couple of points but Yihan still led 6-3. The Chinese started dominating the proceedings and dictated the pace of the game. She also had some sharp cross-court drops and angled smashes. This helped her move to 9-3.

  Saina slowly gathered herself and narrowed the gap to 6-9 but unfortunately, she lost a point at the net. The Chinese was ahead at 11-7. After the break, Saina earned a point but again a wide shot allowed Yihan to move to 14-8. The major drawback was unforced errors. They helped Yihan earn some more points to lead 17-8.

  Saina strived hard and gained a couple of points. However, her return shots found the net and allowed Yihan move to 18-11 before closing it with a smash.

  Yihan won the title and Saina, won her third runners-up.

  Many More Moments to Come

  Saina Nehwal believes in giving her best in each tournament and championship she participates in. Her never-say-die attitude has made her win many tournaments against top players across the globe.

  Saina’s Coaches

  – It wouldn’t have been possible

  without her mentors

  According to Saina, Badminton is a game where one can’t make it alone. One needs dedicated support from parents. Thereafter, proper guidance and encouragement from mentors is crucial.

  Saina’s mentors played an important role in her life. She dedicates her success to each of the coaches who trained her. Right from her physical fitness to training for the matches, the physiotherapists and trainers played an important role in Saina’s life.

  P. S. S. Nani Prasad

  Late P. S. S. Nani Prasad –

  Saina Nehwal’s first Coach

  When Saina Nehwal wielded the racket and played her first game in Fateh Maidan Indoor Stadium back in 1998, it was SAAP coach Nani Prasad who could see a bright future for the shuttler.

  Nani Prasad was Saina’s first coach. She trained under him for about a year. Prasad spotted her in Hyderabad. He agreed to take Saina under his wing as a trainee at the Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh (SAAP) summer camp in 1999.

  Dr. Harvir Singh took Saina to the summer camp where he spoke to Prasad about admitting his daughter. Unfortunately, the last dates for admission were over. When Dr. Harvir Singh insisted, Prasad asked Saina to play. After watching her game, he said, “She has the potential and if you want to train her, bring her to me as a summer trainee.”

  According to Saina, Prasad was among the first to tell her that one day, she will become one of the best players in the world. These words were very motivating an encouraging for the little girl.

  “This girl will go places,” was the prophetic remark of Nani then and Saina proved him right.

  Saina trained under Prasad at the Lal Bahadur Stadium. He was reportedly instrumental in convincing Saina to take up badminton. The stadium was open for her only in the mornings. So, Dr. Harvir Singh and Saina would get up at four in the morning and take the bus to the stadium. Prasad used to train Saina from six to eight in the morning.

  Nani developed serious respiratory problems during the Commonwealth pre-event preparations in Delhi in 2010. The former coach fell ill while supervising the works at Siri Fort Complex in Delhi just before the inaugural of event. He was rushed to a hospital in a critical condition. The family went through a financial crisis due to the rising costs of treatment. In a touching gesture, Saina Nehwal took a lead by contributing 50,000 INR towards the treatment of her former mentor.

  Unfortunately, Prasad couldn’t survive the illness. He passed away the same year after battling for his life for nearly a month. He was 54. He was also serving as the Deputy Director of Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh.

  According to Saina, Prasad’s death was a big blow to her and a huge loss for Indian Badminton.

  Mir Mahboob Ali

  While training under Nani Prasa
d, Saina took membership of the Nizam Club. She visited the court in the evenings under Mahboob Ali. He served as her sparring partner. Ali used to help her practise strokes. This was the most difficult time in her life.

  Saina’s coach Late Mir

  Mahboob Ali

  The club was closed on Sundays. So, Saina’s mother took her to the IRISET Railway Golf Club. It was about 50 km away from her home. Wards and rewards never came his way, but badminton coach Mir Mahboob Ali (in pic.) mentored Saina Nehwal, doubles specialist Shruthi Kurien and the next shuttle sensation P. V. Sindhu, during the most difficult phase of their careers – the beginning. These are but a few big names to emerge from the IRISET Courts, Secunderabad, where he ran his scheme for almost a quarter century.

  It was actually Saina’s mother Usha Rani, who turned the spotlight on Ali. According to Mrs. Usha Rani, Saina used to train for an hour privately under Mahboob Ali Sir, alongside her training at the Lal Bahadur Stadium.

  Ali from Andhra Pradesh was supposed to play in the Asian Badminton Championships in Lucknow, 1965 but lost in the junior semi-final to a Thai opponent. In the fray were some of India’s greats, Nandu Natekar, Suresh Goel, Dinesh Khanna and Gautam Thakkar.

  Ali never graduated to the senior level, his father urging him to earn and learn. With player perks being hardly substantial for a living, an NIS course at Patiala paved the way for him to take up coaching.

  His loyal friends Karuppan, Char, J. Sharma, R. Jyothi and Dr. K. Prahlad stood by him through thick and thin. Ali died on July 24. In an interview, he mentioned, “The respect my players enjoy is my wealth.”

  According to Saina, the initial training she worked a lot. She has won the national under-10, under-13, under-16 and under-19 titles.

  “I have never lost in my age group. I would also participate in higher age groups. So, sometimes, there would be a loss there, but it was valuable experience,” Saina had mentioned in an interview.

  Mahboob Ali, died on July 24, 2011 in Hyderabad. He was 69.

  S.L. Goverdhan Reddy and

  S. Mohammed Arif

  Syed Mohammed

  Arif

  Saina trained under S.L. Goverdhan Reddy and S. Mohammed Arif from 2001 to 2003. Goverdhan worked on her indoor training with court practice and strokes. Saina believes that coaches are more than just trainers for players. They are family and stay with them through thick and thin. Since coaches remain with the players through most intense moments of their life, they play a crucial part to a player’s performance.

  Saina could clearly remember an incidence that took place in her life when she was twelve. Her mother met with an accident and suffered serious head injuries. Her coach Goverdhan was with the family within minutes. Mrs. Usha Nehwal got eight stitches on her head and her condition was declared critical.

  Saina had to leave for the Junior Nationals at Guntur the next day. Dr. Harvir convinced her to leave for the tournament as there was nothing she could do besides sitting with her.

  Mr. Goverdhan helped her recover mentally from this difficult time.

  Syed Mohammed Arif was born on 29 January 1944. Also popularly known as Arif Saahab, the Indian badminton coach is a recipient of Dronacharya Award and Padma Shri Award winner. The Government of India conferred the coach with Dronacharya Award in the year 2000 for his sterling contribution to Indian Badminton – 2000. Arif was honoured with Padma Shri in 2012.

  Arif has nurtured some of the top badminton talents in the country. Saina Nehwal was ‘special’ for him. The man can vividly recall the 1998 summer camp in Hyderabad. This was the place where coach Nani Prasad Rao selected an eight-year-old from a bunch of 250-odd kids. This child was Saina, just an average kid to start with. But Arif felt that the girl was a cut above the rest. This was evident as the days passed.

  According to Arif in an interview to a popular magazine, “Saina was prepared to follow whatever she was told. She would never shy away from hard work and was always ready to push herself. She literally pushed her body to limits in the training. That is when I realised that she was a special talent and will go a long way.”

  Saina trained under Arif at the Lal Bahadur Shastri indoor stadium till the latter retired as coach from the Sports Authority of India.

  “At a young age, she used to compete in 4-5 events in age group tournaments and she would win. She was playing at the senior level when she was just 14,” said Arif in an interview.

  Arif is also aware of the kind of sacrifice Saina’s family had to make in order to help her shine out.

  “She used to stay far off from the stadium and we would start at 5.30 in the morning. Her father or mother would bring her along and pick her up. To do that for years was not easy. The family has had to sacrifice a lot and I am happy for them today,” mentioned Arif.

  In the year 1984, the 57-year-old Hyderabadi was appointed India’s badminton coach by erstwhile Badminton Association of India president Fazil Ahmed, and since then he’s been grooming players for international duty. Syed Mohammad Arif is also referred to as the driving force behind India’s top men’s badminton player Pullela Gopichand.

  Pullela Gopichand

  Saina with her coach

  Gopichand

  Pullela Gopichand was born on November 16, 1973 in Nagandla of Prakasam district, (Andhra Pradesh). He is an Indian Badminton player. He won the All England Open Badminton Championships in the year 2001 after defeating Chen Hong of China in the finals by 15-12, 15-6. He became the second Indian to achieve this feat after Prakash Padukone, who won it in 1980. Pullela was trained by Syed Mohammed Arif.

  He was awarded the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award for the year 2001. But later on, his game was affected due to injuries and his ranking dropped to 126 in the year 2003. In 2005, he was awarded the Padma Shri. The same year, he started training Saina Nehwal.

  At present, he runs the Gopichand Badminton Academy. He is a very renowned coach and winner of the prestigious Dronacharya Award. Pullela is also known to be the main force behind the emergence of successful players like Saina Nehwal and Parupalli Kashyap.

  “She has a lot more belief in her and the desire to win is very-very intense. Not many players have that kind of huge desire to win,” said Pullela Gopichand about Saina Nehwal in an interview.

  According to Saina, Pullela was a huge help for her at the Nationals in the year 2002. It was also the time when Pullela was planning to start a badminton academy. Since India had only one badminton academy, ‘Parkash Padukone Badminton Academy’, the young aspirants looked forward to opening up of new institutions all over India.

  In 2003, Gopichand was offered space at the Gachibowli Stadium by the Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh. The space had about ten outstanding courts for practise. Pullela’s own badminton academy took about 4 years to complete. It was finally inaugurated in the year 2008.

  Soon, Pullela was conferred with the post of national coach. Students from all over the world thronged into practise the art. The academy is spread over 5 acres and comprises of about eight beautiful courts. Gopichand made it a point to equip the academy with hi-tech facilities and requisite elements to encourage students to take up the sport seriously. The place abides by international level facility requisites and rules.

  According Saina, Gopichand is cooler as compared to other coaches she has known. She is impressed by her Buddha-like patience and even temper. He rarely reacts to the outbursts of his students.

  Since, Gopichand had been Saina’s coach for the longest-term, they share a nice equation. His encouraging words help Saina focus on her goal and out do her best performance.

  According to Gopichand, “Saina has done really well for India. She is India’s Gold.”

  Soon after she started training with Gopichand, her schedule changed. His valuable experience and knowledge in the international circuit helped her a lot. Gopichand helped her stay impeccably fit and increase her stamina. Under his guidance, she learnt techniques like ‘Yoga Nidra’. It helps her maintain requisite
energy levels and stay optimistic.

  Saina feels that Gopichand had rearranged the structure of her training and it made all the difference. He made Saina an aggressive player. The training was extremely successful because within six years of training under the veteran, saina gained the coveted ‘number 2’ position.

  “I couldn’t have done it without him,” says Saina Nehwal.

  Pullela Gopichand has an ability to get very aggressive during the training sessions. This had been a great advantage for Saina. She used to get the opportunity to hit Gopichand back more aggressively and win the challenge.

  Saina had once said, “Gopi Sir is the kind of coach Indian Badminton team needs.”

  Gopichand is an avid watcher. He keeps close tabs on all his students when they are playing in a tournament. This helps him groom the players as per their flaws and strengths.

  Saina Nehwal with Coach and Mentor Pullela Gopichand

  Atik Jauhari

  Atik Jauhari – Saina Nehwal’s

  current coach

  Atik Jauhari is the current coach of Saina Nehwal. He was born on 14th August, 1949 in Tangerang in Indonesia. He is a renowned badminton coach from Indonesia. Jauhari played as badminton Senior National Coach between the period 1999 and 2003 for Swedish Badminton Federation (SBF).

  He coached the Swedish Team to reach the final round of Thomas Cup and Uber Cup in Malaysia for the year 2000. Jauhari is also the owner of the Atik Jauhari Badminton School (Sekolah Badminton Atik Jauhari). The institution is focused on talented youth Badminton Athletes and also open classes for professionals and groups.

  The talented Indonesian master coach Atik Jauhari was at his highest spirits as he talks about Saina Nehwal. According to Jauhri, Saina Nehwal’s Hong Kong Super Series win has been one of the most satisfying results of his 29-month long stint with Indian badminton.

  Jauhari prefers talking to his student in person rather than phone. He thinks that the manner in which Saina calculatedly decimated her Chinese opponent Wang Shixian in one of the tournaments is simply incredible.