Bhubaneswar: The budding badminton players of Orissa and other eastern and north-eastern states, currently training at the SAI Regional Centre here got a huge confidence-booster when former national champion in singles, doubles and mixed doubles in the 1960s, Dipu Ghosh paid them a visit, Monday.
Dipu who is the elder brother of the in-charge of the centre, Ramen Ghosh, interacted with the players and passed them useful tips that will go a long way in developing their careers.
“Never think of the racquet as a separate identity, it should always be the extension of your playing arm,” Dipu, who got the Arjuna in 1969, told the youngsters. “Then only you can become good players and achieve success in your career,” said the former player who now lives in Iceland.
The 79-year-old, who was also a national coach and among his illustrious students was India’s first All England title winner, Prakash Padukone, however, was reluctant to talk about his own achievements. Rather he lauded Pullela Gopichand, for turning India into a badminton superpower. “The work Gopichand has done is simply awesome,” said Dipu. “He has installed that belief in the players that they can be world beaters. Self-confidence goes a long way – it differentiates between a champion and an also-ran. Gopi has tirelessly worked with the players and the results are showing. I am sure that in the years to come, India will produce more champions,” asserted Dipu.
The former player, however, was quick to point out that at present, the players are getting proper infrastructure to show their prowess. “Let me give you an example. In our times, the All England was considered the premier badminton tournament. We used to arrive at the venue, the night before the event and then get on court, the next day. By the time, we could acclimitise, we had already lost,” informed Dipu.
“Now however, things have changed. Players get the chance to reach a place at least three four days before a tournament. They train at the venue and hence get the chance to acclimitise. The results are there for everyone to see,” he added.
The former India No.1 also said that the Premier Badminton League (PBL) has been a great boost to the sport in India. “I have always believed in the theory of ‘more exposure, better results’,” said Dipu. “It improves standards, the more you play against superior quality players, the better you become,” he added.
The topic naturally shifted to the successes of PV Sindhu, Saina Nehwal and Kidambi Srikanth in recent times. Dipu stated that the main reason for their successes have been their mental strength. “They have that killer instinct… they believe they can beat anybody. In today’s badminton everybody is as fit as the other. So it is the mental strength that separates them,” he informed. “It is the mind that turns a simple shot into a lethal one,” he signed off.
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