Earlier known as the cradle of Olympic hockey players, Jalandhar is now fast emerging as a nursery of top badminton talent.AdvertisementCall it the infrastructural improvements being brought out at the Raizada Hansraj Stadium over the last six years or the growing recognition for promising shuttlers, several success stories are now emerging from here. Almost Rs 1 crore has been pumped for development works in the stadium since the last four years.The stadium already has six courts, and four more will be added soon. Additionally, it features a gymnasium, a yoga centre and a 200m running track, which is being readied with grants being sourced by the association members from the state government, local MPs and MLAs.Jalandhar has stated producing international- and national‑level shuttlers. Palak Kohli, who represented India at both the Tokyo and Paris Paralympics, began her journey at this stadium before moving to Lucknow for specialised training. Last month, Inayat Gulati and Zorawar Singh brought laurels to the Jalandhar Badminton Association by winning a silver medal in the Under‑15 mixed doubles category at the All‑India Sub‑Junior Badminton Ranking Tournament in Goa.About a week ago, Jalandhar-based Abhinav Thakur won a bronze medal at the All‑India Senior National Badminton Championship in Bhubaneswar. A total of 575 players from across India participated in the event. In 2022, Thakur represented India at the World Junior Championship in Spain.Another ace player from the city, who regularly trains at the stadium, Manya Ralhan was selected last week under the Khelo India Athlete Scheme. She has consistently won medals. In December, she became the first woman from the city to win a silver medal at the All‑India University Badminton Championship.Three more shuttlers from Jalandhar — Samriddhi, Divyam Sachdeva and Mridul Jha — were selected last year to represent India at the World School Games. In May this year, Jalandhar’s Jaismeen Malhi won gold at the All India Agri Sports Meet held in Ayodhya.Success did not come overnight for these players. It has been the consistent efforts of the players, their parents, and the office-bearers of the Jalandhar Badminton Association over the last six years that have begun to yield results. The association, on its part, has been providing quality training, discipline, a rigorous daily regimen, specialised coaching, fitness sessions, regular competitions and ensuring the best facilities for its players.”We have the best courts, which is why we now often host state-level badminton championships. Our players get to observe the rallies and shots played by the top players of Punjab and learn from them. We reward our players well whenever they bring back medals. While Inayat and Zorawar received prize money worth Rs 7,500 each at the national championship, we presented them with cheques worth Rs 21,000 each as encouragement. These rewards further motivate players to perform better each time they represent Jalandhar or Punjab,” said Ritin Khanna, secretary of the Jalandhar Badminton Association and Punjab Badminton Association.Abhinav Thakur’s father, Sudarshan Thakur, praised Khanna for recognising the potential of players, guiding them effectively and providing strong support. “He is credited with revitalising the previously defunct Jalandhar Badminton Association. As a national-level shuttler himself, he understands the needs and coaching standards required to boost players. Since he actively began working with the association in 2019, new facilities have been continuously added,” opine the majority of badminton enthusiasts in the city.
After hockey, Jalandhar emerges as nursery for shuttlers
