Denmark's Boe trains with Mumbai youngsters

NAGPUR: It seems Mumbai has become a second home for Mathias Boe for the last couple of years. Whenever he gets a free time, the Danish doubles super star rushes to meet his girlfriend and actress Tapsee Panu with whom he is going steady since 2013.
However, like a true professional he doesn't miss out on the badminton practice. He trains hard for two hours at the Goregaon Sports Club in the morning.
After participating in the BWF World Super Series Finals, which concluded at Dubai on Sunday, he flew to Mumbai. From Monday, he started practice with the help of some of the youngsters of Uday Pawar Badminton Academy.
"When I am in Mumbai, you will find me playing at Goregoan Sports Club. I am thankful to the club authorities and Uday Pawar for allowing me to train here," Boe told TOI.
In Dubai, he suffered a heart-shattering loss in the men's doubles semi-final when the second seeded pair of Boe and Carsten Mogensen went down fighting against the fourth seeds Chai Biao and Hong Wei 21-17, 19-21, 22-24.
The experienced pair of Boe and Mongensen had match points but could not get the better of Chinese pair. To forget the painful defeat, Boe headed towards Mumbai to meet Tapsee, whom he first met during the Indian Badminton League.
Boe's Awadhe Warriors Lucknow had lost to Hyderabad Heroes in the IBL. Tapsee was associated with Hyderabad during the IBL and struck friendship with Boe.
The 35-year-old Boe, who was bought by Mumbai franchise for $30,000 in the auction held on December 7 in New Delhi, will now play for Mumbai Rockets in the PBL which will commence on January 2. Boe's doubles partner of 11 years Mogensen of Denmark will represent Hyderbad.
"Obviously, I am really happy to play for Mumbai this time around. We (Lucknow) had lost in the final against Hyderabad last time but I am hopeful of doing it better this time. I am really looking forward to the PBL," said the tall left-hander Boe.
Playing with the former world No. 1 and All England champion was dream come true for his practice partners Chirag Shetty, Kaushal Dharmamer and Satyajit Jagdhane.
"He is totally focused while on court. There is so much to learn from his work ethics. He hardly looks at the adjacent courts. Whenever we make any mistake he points it out and guides us on how to correct it," said Kaushal, India No. 5 in men's singles.
Reigning national U-19 boys doubles champion Chirag Shetty consider himself lucky to train with Boe. "Being a doubles player, it is a dream to practice with Boe. He doesn't like to talk much but offers his valuable suggestion for our improvement," said Chirag.