Saina Nehwal in Patna
By Neeraj Kumar
Patna: The New Year has brought welcome news for young badminton players in Bihar. Legendary shuttler and Olympic medallist Saina Nehwal has taken on the historic responsibility of grooming emerging badminton talent in the state. She made the announcement on Monday during her visit to the Pataliputra Sports Complex in Patna.
Under the initiative, Saina Nehwal will travel across various districts of Bihar to identify promising players and extend support in their training and development.
‘Bihar Has Immense Potential’
Expressing confidence in the state’s sporting talent, Saina Nehwal said Bihar has no shortage of gifted players and, with proper guidance, international-level athletes can be produced from the state. She noted that Bihar has carved out a distinct identity on the global stage through improved national and international sporting events, calling it a matter of pride for all.
Emotional Bond with Patna
Speaking to the media, Nehwal recalled her strong emotional connection with Bihar, revealing that her first national championship victory had come in Patna. “I am fully prepared to extend every possible support for the development of players from Bihar. Doing so will give me immense happiness,” she said.
Meeting with Sports Minister
During her Bihar visit, Saina Nehwal held an official meeting with State Sports Minister Shreyasi Singh. The discussion focused on the prospects for badminton and overall sports development in Bihar. Nehwal mentioned that this was not her first interaction with the minister, as they had previously met several times as players during national and international sporting events.
Documentary on Bihar’s Sporting Growth
At the meeting, Saina Nehwal was shown a documentary highlighting Bihar’s progress and achievements in sports, which reportedly left her deeply impressed. Senior officials present included Additional Chief Secretary of the Sports Department Dr B. Rajendra, Director Mahendra Kumar, Bihar State Sports Authority Director General Ravindran Shankaran, and Deputy Director Himanshu Singh. Sports Minister Shreyasi Singh honoured Nehwal with a traditional shawl and a memento.
A Champion’s Legacy
Saina Nehwal is one of India’s most celebrated international badminton players and the country’s first shuttler to win an Olympic medal. She claimed bronze at the London Olympics in 2012 and became the first Indian woman to achieve the world No. 1 ranking. Her achievements also include gold medals at the Commonwealth Games in 2010 and 2018, among several other international titles.
In recognition of her outstanding contributions to sport, she has been conferred with prestigious honours such as the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan and the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna.
Structured Training Plan
Providing details of the initiative, Bihar State Sports Authority Director General Ravindran Shankaran said Saina Nehwal would soon spend around 10 days in Bihar. During this period, she will tour different regions to identify talented badminton players.
Selected athletes will receive benefits under the state government’s ‘Prerna’ scholarship scheme. Their training and equipment needs will be met at the Badminton-specific Eklavya State Residential Training Centre. The move is being seen as a significant step towards providing young talent with a systematic, high-quality training environment and direct mentorship from a global sporting icon.
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