Saina Nehwal, the 2012 Olympic bronze medalist in badminton from India, is now in her twilight years and has turned to politics. She aspires to become a politician and sports person because she is interested in repaying the favor of the sport that transformed her into a celebrity.
Saina appeared recently on a podcast with Shubhankar Mishra and said that there are no sporting disciplines in India except cricket that can match its facilities and support. The author says without doubt, if all other games were provided with such facilities, then it would have more Olympic medalists.
“How many badminton academies do we have? Then how many cricket academies are there…If there are so many academies (in badminton) and the best facilities, why can’t we produce quality players?” the report quoted her as saying.
And what about salaries? Saina may have also been referring to the BCCI’s annual contracts worth crores offered to Indian cricketers when she noted that: “Humein koi salary nahi milti khelne ke liye, kuchh bhi nahi milta… Hum khud hi haathpairr maarke iss level tak pahunche hain (We don’t get paid for playing, we get nothing; our results today are all because of our own efforts).
“Cricket is like this also where patients are looked after well by doctors as good as any other doctor.” The greatest medical officer in physical therapy or coaching staff
She cited fast bowler Mohammad Shami’s case who went through surgery due to his Achilles heel injury recently and is still recovering.
“Everything (!). He will be back soon,” Saina commented on her Twitter page.
Mishra had told Saina that cricket was strenuous than any other game but the Badminton star hit back as boldly as him.
“I don’t need Jasprit Bumrah! When he plays badminton with me, he will not survive my smashing at 300 miles an hour.
