For members of Andhra Pradesh Badminton Association (APBA) organising the Air Costa 79th Senior National Badminton Championship in the city, the news of three players from the State selected for two overseas tours came as a pleasant surprise.
Post bifurcation, the news was like a shot in the arm for the association which is keen on reviving the fortunes of the feather game in the 13 districts of the State as it (the game) is presently predominantly flourishing in Hyderabad.
Sonika Sai (Vijayawada), Pooja (Triupati), and Uttejitha Rao (Vizag) will be part of the Indian junior team which will take part in the Dutch and the German Open fixtures next month.
The teenage trio wants to make use of their maiden international trip to enhance their technique and temperament. “We want to give our best shot,” they said in unison.
Andhra Pradesh Badminton Association secretary K.Ch. Punnaiah Chowdary said that the association was contemplating requesting Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu to use his good offices to pursue Pullela Gopichand to open his academies in Vijayawada, Vizag, Tirupati and Kadapa.
“APBA will give all the technical support to these centres. Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh should also appoint coaches for the promotion of the game,” he added.
Mr. Punnaiah said the game, before shifting to Hyderabad in the 1990s, produced as many as 12 international shuttlers from Vijayawada.
