After turning to football for fitness,shuttler Seema is enjoying best of both games

Seema was runner-up at the Under-16 badminton nationals in 2007 and was third in 2009. She turned to football as part of her fitness regime. That Seema is a quick learner is evident from the fact that in less than a year since taking up football she was part of two Delhi teams,which participated in the nationals.

So impressive was Seema with her ball skills that the boys didn’t even think of taking potshots at her. “The boys,I used to play against,used to encourage me. They saw me play and believed that I had the talent to play for the state. I started playing football to stay fit. I will play football regularly,provided my badminton schedule doesn’t come in the way.”

Seema is serious about a career in sport. She has joined the Laxmi Bai National Institute of Physical Education,Gwalior,after deciding against seeking admission in Delhi colleges. “I can now pursue both sport and academics. It works perfectly for me.”

Hyderabad dreams
She is also hoping to join the Pullela Gopichand Badminton Academy in Hyderabad as she isn’t happy with the infrastructure and standard of coaching in Delhi. “Here the coaches don’t keep abreast with the latest trends in the game. The association also doesn’t really support the players. But in Mumbai,Hyderabad and Chennai,the coaches are experienced and they know how to bring the best out of a player,” Seema,who idolises Saina Nehwal,said.