After a splendid run in the Indian Badminton league (IBl), star shuttler Saina Nehwal is now hoping to do well in the upcoming Super Series events and next year’s Commonwealth Games and Asian Games.
“My focus will be on doing well in the Super Series. Next year, it is going to be very tough with Commonwealth Games, Asian games etc,” Saina said.
“I hope to stay fit for that,” added the world number four who will next play in the Japan Super Series to be held from September 17 to 22 at Tokyo.
Expressing happiness about her performance in the IBl, where she remained unbeaten, she said the new tournament has helped the young and senior players as well.
With her unbeaten run, Saina, who was adjudged the player of the tournament, helped her team Hyderabad Hotshots to bag the title in the inaugural edition of the league.
Saina is poised to make giant strides with several young players performing well in international competitions.
Saina said she hoped to be fit for the Rio Olympics though there is still long time to go for the mega sports event.
“I just want to stay fit. Because, Olympics is going to be tough for everyone. It is going to be really challenging. It comes after three years. So it will be really really tough for all of us to stay fit till that time,” she said.
“But I just hope to be more confident, be more relaxed and just give my best.”
To skip Japan Open
New Delhi: Saina and a few other doubles players would skip the Japan Super Series this month to concentrate on the European circuit.
“A few players have been withdrawn from Japan Super Series following their request and advice of chief national coach Pullela Gopi Chand. They would now be concentrating on the European circuit starting with the Denmark Super Series Premier next month,” the spokesperson said.
Indian team for Japan Super Series: P Kashyap, Ajay Jayaram, Sai Praneeth, K Srikanth, Saurabh Verma, Manu Attri, Sumeet Reddy and P V Sindhu. Coach: Madhumita Bisht
Also, on Thursday, the Special General Body and the Executive Council of the Badminton Association of India met in Mumbai on August 31 and discussed various issues regarding the Indian Badminton league, an official spokesperson said.
The decisions which were taken were: IBl’s Governing Council has been asked to appoint a retired High Court judge to investigate the incident during the league match between Krrish Delhi Smashers and Banga Beats on August 25.
The start of the match was delayed for half an hour after Delhi Smashers refused to take the court over a replacement player. The Governing Council will meet in the next few days to finalize the appointment.
BAI’s disciplinary committee headed by S Muralitharan has been asked to investigate Jwala Gutta’s conduct during the IBl. She has been served a show-cause notice and have been asked to explain her conduct during the incident. She will have to respond to the notice within 14 days.
The SGM also granted Delhi Badminton Association the status of Club without voting rights. PNS