“It is high-time that the attitude towards doubles be changed,” says gold medallist of Commonwealth Games Jwala Gutta. She is quite baffled with the decision of reducing the base price which was later resolved by the franchisee before the start of the Indian Badminton League but the bigger picture of not taking the doubles events seriously remains unaltered.
Gutta was quoted by The Indian Express saying, “There is a need to change our attitude towards doubles (players). It has changed to some extent after Ashwini and I won the Commonwealth Games gold medal. But it needs to change further.”
Jwala quotes an example of how hard it was to find a sponsor for the doubles players in comparison to single shuttlers. Despite proving their worth in international events, they haven’ seen the scenario changing, which is not good for the game. “After we won the medals in such important tournaments, we did not get much attention. We struggled to get sponsors. Even today, it is difficult for a doubles player to get a sponsor,” she said.
Jwala seeks that India has enough pool but we need to spot the talent so that we can put India ahead of the other countries who are donning this format for quite a sometime. She added, “Doubles players should be taken seriously and we need more doubles specialists.”
Meanwhile the reports in Deccan Chronicle quoted Ashwini Ponnappa saying, “Doubles players should be pushed more. They are doing well. So talent should be identified and groomed properly. We are taking tiny steps and these should be recognised. Instead of being getting step-motherly treatment, doubles players should be motivated.”
Meanwhile, Ponnappa and Gutta are ready to team up again, especially keeping in mind the kind of events that will be taking place in the few months time from now.
She was quoted by Hindustan Times saying, “Talks are on with Jwala and it will be good to get back. But it is not the right time to say anything more on this,” said Ashwini.
The two grand events that will be staged next year are- the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games —and it would be better for the game that these two brilliant shuttlers use their tonnes of experience to not just revive the image of doubles among the masses but also to bring honours for India.
