B SaiPraneeth has been on the rise shuttling his way through every major tournament and making the nation proud. FWD Business had the opportunity to sit down with the up and coming star for a quick chat
Text Credit: Rochelle D’Souza Photos: FWD Media
Indian badminton was synonymous with two female players who not only dominated the game but also the limelight. Cut to mid-2017 wherein the country saw the rise of three young men KidambiSrikanth, HS Prannoy and our interviewee B SaiPraneeth who have been on a rampage.
For a humble boy from Hyderabad, Sai’s dreams are far from small. This 25 year old is out to take the world by storm, one shuttle at a time. Currently ranked 15 in the world, the Hyderabad-born 24-year-old is no stranger to records. He kick-started his career by winning the U-10 title. By the time he was 21, he had the U-13, U-16, U-19 titles, a bronze in the world juniors, and a senior national title under his belt. At 25 he is all set to take on the World Championships in August. FWD Business managed to get a moment with the superstar who was in Kochi for the inauguration of Breeze Sports in Pathadipalam earlier last week. Here are a few excerpts from the interview.
Tell us about your tryst with Badminton?
My aunt Sreedevi, that’s my mum’s sister, used to play badminton, she’s a national player and when II showed interest in the sport it was my grandfather that got me into it. I was only 8years old when I began. At first I did it for the sake of it, but when I won my under 10 championship there was no turning back and the rest is history. Today I train every single day for 5-6 hours. Next month I have my first world championship and I intend to play well and make sure that I bring home a medal. I have trained well and I have been working well so I’m hopeful.
Women have long dominated the limelight when it comes to badminton singles until yourself Srikanth and Prannoystepped into the limelight recently. Why do you think the women plays have a better representation than their male counterparts?
The men’s competition is really high in comparison to the women’s. I think men were never in the spotlight since in the initial phase we were unable to win consecutively. Saina rank hasn’t changed from the 8th position for more than a year and Sindhu has been doing consistently well too, but things are stirring up and us men are doing pretty well for ourselves now. The results have been consistent so hopefully we’ll be recognized as well soon.
How important is it to be represented or managed by a brand and to be sponsored by them. Are you managed by a brand at present?
I am not. The female players are well represented by bigger brands and managing companies while none of the male players have the same. Of course Yonex provides us with our equipment but being managed by a brand has its own benefits. It would amazing if we had a brand to manage us but that is yet to happen as we are yet to be properly represented by the media. Hopefully that’s all about to change as we really are making a great deal of headway in the sport and recognition will come with it.
There is a lot of science involved in studying and perfecting performance of sportsmen and even down to the equipment that they utilize. Is the same being carried out in India? And if so, how efficiently?
Yes we do have regular checks and tests where they hook you up to a machine and keep checks on your heart rates while playing and so forth. The system exists but there isn’t too much focus given to it either. I guess you could say we’re old school that way. I believe that as long as there are results then nothing else really matters.
Whenever the discussion arises about India and sports there always this looming cloud over the topic. There has been much discussion about poor infrastructure for sportspersons as well as the lack of recognition and proper aid and support from the government. What is you say in the matter?
When it comes to badminton I think we do receive a lot of support from the Government and the Sports Authority of India. The National Camp in Hyderabad has a great infrastructure and we have all the facilities we would need. I think it has gotten better over the years, as I mentioned I’ve been playing since I was 8, so yes quite a bit of change has taken place and things are of a much higher standard now. As for recognition, I think that’s one thing I wish we had more of. For example Srikanth was the first Indian (man or woman) to win a Super Series following which I managed to win it but we don’t really get a lot of publicity or recognition for the same. I’m not complaining about it, but recognition of achievements can go a long way for us in terms of garnering sponsors and ensuring a better foundation and future for others in the sport.
China has long dominated the world of badminton and legend has it, that the Chinese are better equipped at the game as they are rigorously trained. Is that all about to change?
China once dominated the sport but not anymore. They may be hard working but we’ve been working harder too. If you look at the score cards, Indians have won four out of the six titled held so far this year. No more Chinese domination. Honestly I believe that the Chinese has an edge against us as they are trained from an early age and are focussed on one thing and one thing alone, which is their sport. This stands true not only for badminton but for other sports as well.
You’ve been in the game since you were 8 years old. How much has the game and the sport in general changed since then?
The game has changed a lot. The competition is ridiculous. The top 50 level players are all equally talented and equally strong at what they do and so come tournament time, it’s anybody’s game. Competition internationally has never been harder. The game is changing day by day and getting harder but thats where the challenge lies and that what makes it all the more interesting.
What is your advice to youth who wish to pursue sports?
I think everyone should pursue sports. If not as a serious option then as a part of their daily routine or do it as a leisurely activity. I see so many kids these days glued to their TV screens and the internet and I think ‘They should be outside playing!’ Therefore if you ask me this question I would say that everyone should take up some kind of sport. Not just to keep yourself fit and active but just to give your mind and body a break from everything else that you do.
LIGHT Q&A
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?:
With a big medal like a world championship or Olympic medal in hand.
At the age of 60 you will be:
Retired
One mantra you follow every day:
Work Hard. Everyday.
What do you love most about Kerala?:
Appam and chicken curry. In Hyderabad we go out regularly for Porotta. *laughs* I love the places here. I wish I had the time to visit Alleppey sometime soon.
If you had not chosen sports as a career what would you be doing right now?:
I’ve never thought about it. I’d probably have completed my BCom and higher studies and taken up a marketing job.
Message to the youth:
Don’t fret if you face losses in life. It’s the losses that make you stronger.