There are many who have talent. But only some are able to realise their potential and make it to the top. This is particularly true in the context of Indian sport. The indifference of the sponsors for any sport other than cricket add to the hurdles that a player has to face in order to reach the top level.
But once in a while, along comes an exception – a player who overcomes all obstacles to attain success and gladden the hearts of all Indians. One such person is undoubtedly India’s badminton ace Saina Nehwal.
Saina Nehwal added one more feather to her cap when she became the first woman player from India to achieve the World No. 1 rank and then won the Indian Open Super Series title recently.
Saina is also the first non-Chinese player since 2010 to reach the World No. 1 rank. But she puts things in perspective when she says: “Rankings don’t matter once you enter the court. No player can expect to win just by virtue of his or her rank. You still have do your best.”
Her latest feat is one more in a long line of firsts that she has achieved in her badminton career. She was the first Indian to win a badminton medal in the Olympics when she got the bronze medal at the London Olympics in 2012.
Prior to that she was the first Indian to win the World junior badminton championships singles title and was also the first Indian to win a Super Series tournament in 2009. And earlier this year she blazed her way into the finals of the All England Open championships where she went down fighting to Carolina Marin.
Saina has come along way since she first took up the game in Hyderabad where her father Dr. Harvir Singh was posted. Saina has often stated that it was the support of her family which helped her to achieve success. Her father says: “Every achievement brings added responsibility. Saina must now train harder to ensure that she keeps up her standard and reputation.”
