Journalism of Courage
Jwala Gutta requires little by way of introduction. Assertive,bold and brave,she is ready for the challenge of playing with different partners and is already in a preparatory mood even though the next Olympic Games are three years away. In a freewheeling chat with The Indian Express,Indias doubles specialist shuttler throws light on her recent struggle to find a suitable doubles and mixed doubles partner and the 8220;indifferent8221; attitude of the Badminton Association of India BAI.
Excerpts:
Partner hunt
I played for a long time with Ashwini Ponnappa and both of us enjoyed a lot of success together. When I returned after the break,both of us couldn8217;t continue playing together. Not that it was planned or happened overnight. But,yes it just happened. It was not something which I had planned or was looking to do after the Olympics. I have now decided to play with Prajakta Sawant,and hope to maintain a long term partnership with her. I will do all I could to help her get used to pressure of competing at the highest level. I don8217;t want to put pressure on my partners.
As far as mixed doubles is concerned,I will now be playing with Manu Atri She decided to change her partner after playing with V Diju for a long time. They last played the India Open Super Series together. He is very very talented. And I am really excited to play with him. He is brilliant on the court. We will start in September when we go to China and Japan. I know it will take time to get used to playing together,but I am in no hurry at all.
The road ahead
I love playing badminton and would continue doing that. I am very fit now. I am focussing a lot on my fitness,which is very important. My aim is to do well in the Olympics. I am working very hard on my fitness at the moment,and then I have three years to work on my game.
A very 8216;indifferent8217; association
The problem is not with the people or the audience. When I go out,people recognise me and know me. Leaving the Olympics,I have almost won everything. What have I not won? When I was going for the Olympics,people were even expecting a medal for me. The problem is not with the one away from us,but with some one with whom we interact on a daily basis. Stay in touch regularly. The mindset of our Association has to change for badminton to grow further. We struggle so much to get sponsors,endorsements. Even I dont have a proper sponsor till date. It is time the thinking of our Association changes. The indifferent attitude has to be changed.
The forgettable experience
I still remember when I returned after winning the bronze medal in the World Championships 2011. Only Prakash Padukone had earlier in 1983 won a medal bronze at that level. But it was so disheartening to see no response or celebration. When any other player returns with a medal from any international tournament,the airport is packed. Reporters are there,press conferences are arranged and what not. As I said,if we want to take the game further ahead,people close to it have to change their mindset.
The game break
Even though I played doubles,the focus was on me. It was particularly on me. There was a lot of pressure,a lot of stress. After completing a gruelling season in London Olympics,I opted to go for a holiday and do absolutely nothing. Also,I was the only player to qualify for two events at Olympics. It was much-needed time away from badminton. No training,nothing. Just needed some time away to relax,and be mentally prepared for the road ahead.
