NEW DELHI: Former India badminton trainer Vimal Kumar reckons a”demanding” travel awaits Saina Nehwal, that will have to target certain championships to prolong her livelihood following the COVID-19 pandemic crushed her Tokyo Olympics fantasies.
Battling accidents and indifferent kind, Saina, 31, could not create her fourth Olympics after the game’s governing body, BWF, cancelled the previous few qualifiers because of this pandemic.
“She came to the limelight in 2005-06 and was a major trend setter following Prakash Padukone.
She’s been constant, played several years and it’s sad that she could not adapt this season.
I guess she’s been somewhat unlucky in the past two Games,” Vimal told PTI.
Vimal, who’d led Saina into the world number one position, feels that the London Olympics bronze medallist will function Indian badminton for a couple of decades, given she intends things better and handles her physique.
“She can last for several years but it will be difficult.
She must plan things , target particular tournaments and also focus on it.
“With her expertise she could still beat the top players but she should not look at rank as it’ll be tricky to play with the circuit and stay injury free” The shuttler has maintained over 24 international names, including 11 Superseries crowns at a leading career, aside from winning a bronze and silver in the World Championships and a bronze in 2012 London Games.
Saina, who’d reached the quarterfinals in the Beijing Games, endured a career-threatening knee accident just days before their 2016 Rio Olympics, that found her bow in the next round.
A decided Saina, nevertheless, returned to catch her next Commonwealth Games gold at 2018 and stayed on track to get a Tokyo berth before falling in the past couple of decades.
Might it be feasible to pursue yet another Olympics? “it’s extremely tricky.
She’s been hurt consistently.
I dont understand, it’s an arduous job and, to tell the truth, Olympics should not be the priority ,” Vimal stated.
“Her operation has witnessed a continuous drop since January 2019 if she gained the Indonesia closing after Carolina Marin acquired hurt.
Then she’s not done anything impressive.
Naturally, it was COVID for many parts.” Vimal believes it will depend on her desire to be successful in the game which she’s been enjoying for over 15 decades.
“No significant modifications can be created at this phase.
She must care for her physique.
Sports is hard, it is hard for human anatomy to take this kind of strength,” he explained.
“She’s still better than remaining young players but today the focus will likely be on children.
She might need to handle, seem to perform with the circuit in your cost, if she has that openness and desire.
“She’s (Parupalli) Kashyap because her trainer today.
If she could do everything, she is able to continue to perform for two or three years , and which is going to be useful for Indian players too.”