THERE are two badminton coaching centres running in the city under Government of India’s pet sports project ‘Khelo India’. The first phase of ‘Khelo India’ scheme meant for making the nation a sporting powerhouse started in the city about two years ago. While the ‘Khelo India’ District Centre is being run at the courts of Divisional Sports Complex in Mankapur, the other centre is with the Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University (RTMNU) and operates at its own Subhedar Hall. Among city’s reputed coaches, Ajay Dayal and multiple times district champion Jayendra Dhole have been appointed as the coaches. While Dayal, who has been associated with junior India teams in the past, looks after the Mankapur centre; Dhole imparts training at Subhedar Hall.

 

Though they prefer not to be named as their wards’ progress might get affected, a few parents confided in ‘The Hitavada’ about irregularities in the scheme even terming it as a “farce”. They alleged that the appointed coaches were not coming to the courts to guide their children and instead have appointed assistant coaches to impart training. The complaint was found to be partially correct as Dayal did appoint an assistant to help him discharge his duties. “I have many players training under me. Most of them wish that I accompany them to competitions where they are participating. I thought there must be somebody to take care of Khelo India players when I am attending tournaments or am busy with some other work.

 

And this was the only reason I hired an assistant. I am paying him from my pocket just to see that the players are not left unattended,” Dayal kept his side while talking to this scribe. Sports Officer Rajendra Sapte, who is incharge of Khelo India Badminton at Mankapur Stadium, agreed. “It is not that Mr Dayal never comes to train the players. But yes he has kept an assistant to which we have not objected as we think players are being kept engaged in Dayal’s absence. In fact, we do have regular review meetings with the coach. We have a WhatsApp group of players along with their parents as we think they must also be in the know how of things,” Sapte said. “There is a total intake capacity of 30 players at the centre. We have players from 12 to 19 years of age here. We have two courts dedicated for them for three hours each day. Even on Sundays, if the players request for practice session in advance, we provide them with the courts. We provide one-time kit to each player. From the available funds, we also procure shuttles for them.

 

“The only sad part is that we don’t have all the players coming all the days. But the coach keeps record (attendance) of all the players and if we see a long absence — players preparing for tenth exams or shifting out of Nagpur — we discontinue them and take fresh players,” Sapte added. On his part, Dayal pointed out at a host of Khelo India players who have brought laurels to the city. “First of all let me make clear that players who have been training under some other coach(es) before coming here, have not left them. But now they are also part of the Khelo India project. A lot of players are doing well. Many are winning titles at district level tournaments and are reaching up to quarter-finals in State meets. “Aditya Yaul, Aarav Thakre, Harshit Nerkar, Yukti Shende, Vaishnavi Manglekar, Naitik Patel, Rubal Gedam and Maurya Khandelwal are among the upcoming players of Khelo India who have been doing well,” informed Dayal.

 

The coach was also of the view that number of courts should be increased for better results. “The more they practice, the better they become. To be a good player at the national level, I think a player must have at least 4-5 hours of daily practice.” Apart from the on-court practice, players are offered other facilities as well. “We take the players to the synthetic track for working out in the open. Then there are visits by dietitians and physiotherapist. Recently Mr Dayal invited Rohan Gurbani (who won All India Senior Ranking Badminton Tournament in Hyderabad last year) to give some tips and a pep talk to the budding players. All these things really encourage the youngsters,” said Sapte. Dhole, who coaches the players all by himself at Subhedar Hall, is happy with the progress of Khelo India players from his centre. In the most recent State tournament held at Ahmednagar, many of his trainees hogged the limelight. Shourya Madavi won the Under-17 women’s singles title. She defeated Khelo India team-mate and second seed Nishika Gokhe in three tough games in the semi-finals.

 

Nishika was also top seed in the women’s doubles with a Pune partner and in mixed doubles with Nagpur’s Pranay Gadewar. Other top players including those playing in senior category are Krisha Soni, Sophia Simon, Pinak Rokde, Ameya Naktode, Chunharmeet Singh, Jeeva Pillai and Arnav Palshikar. Dhole feels the city needs an excellence centre in Nagpur instead of just a training centre. “I am very much satisfied with the progress of my players here at the Khelo India centre. They have been doing really well at district and State level tournaments. But given the quality and quantity of players in the region, I would like to request for an Excellence Centre (a residential academy) as it will help players much more,” Dhole pleaded.