Gopichand took badminton to a different level: Popat

HYDERABAD: Nine-time national champion Aparna Popat lavished praise on Pullela Gopichand and Saina Nehwal for taking badminton to a new level. The two-time Olympian, who arrived here as the mentor for Badminton Development Programme of GoSports Foundation, said that had it not been for Gopichand Indian badminton could have been where it was 15 years ago.
"I have no words to describe what he has done for Indian badminton.His contribution was immense. Take out Gopichand, Indian badminton could have been where it was 15 years ago," said Aparna. "My achievements could have been different if I got access to these kind of facilities and mentorship. The facilities were limited then and I am happy that players now have everything, they just need to work hard," added Aparna, the last Indian to beat Saina.
The silver medallist at the 1996 Commonwealth Games said that Saina's consistency at the top of the world badminton helped the game become popular in the country. "Saina's consistency at the top and the titles she won helped the game become popular in the country. It's amazing that she was able to stay at the top for so many years. If a player can hang on to the top five of the world ranking for five years, that's incredible. Saina has been doing that and that's a great feat. If you are not consistent people will just forget you," she said.
Comparing the playing styles of Saina and PV Sindhu, Aparna said: "Both are different kind of players. Saina has a very good defence and attack as well. Like 50% of both. While Sindhu is more of an attacking kind. She has 70% of attack and 30% of defence. Saina has evolved as a complete player, Sindhu is still a player in making. The best aspect I like about Saina is her grit. It's good to have such quality players at the same time."
Aparna says that she fears for Sindhu as the latter has achieved a lot in such a short time. "I fear for her. She is just 19 and had already won two medals at the World Championships. She has a better record than Saina against the Chinese. If you could achieve tremendous success at such an early age you have the responsibility of justifying that talent. I am confident that she could do that but she has to work on a few aspects of her game," she said.
According to Aparna, the field in women's badminton is quite open. "There are no dominant players in women's badminton now. The Chinese are not consistent and getting injured regularly. According to me players like Saina, Sindhu, Ratchanok Intanon, Carolina Marin and Tai Tzu Ying along with Li Xuerui can share the honours. When we were playing most of the times four Chinese used to reach the semifinals. Now that has changed and Indians should make the best of this," Aparna said.