If tennis can resume then badminton too: Madhurjya Barua

Our Sports Reporter

GUWAHATI: Former international shuttler from Assam Madhurjya Barua is upset with the decision of BWF to cancel Thomas and Uber Cup. In an interaction with The Sentinel Barua, the General Manager (HR& Admn) of OIL India Limited and currently staying at Jodhpur, Rajasthan, also advises the athletes to be practical at the time of returning into the ground after COVID-19 break. Here is the excerpt.

The Sentinel (TS): Your reaction on cancelation of Thomas and Uber Cup...

Madhurjya: It is unfortunate that Thomas and Uber Cup have been cancelled after seven major countries decided to withdraw their teams. I am a little disturbed and at the same time trying to analyse the situation. I feel BWF should have been taken all the Thomas and Uber Cup qualifying countries into confidence prior to deciding the date of the meet. Personally I belief Thomas and Uber Cup could have still been held if not from October 3, may be in the last week of October.

TS: Tennis already starts across the globe. Don't you feel badminton should take similar steps?

Madhurjya: Absolutely. If ATP and WTA can resume professional events why not badminton? But, BWF will have to adopt certain innovative measures for badminton as it involves a common touch object like shuttle. Although Tennis too has the ball as the common touch point, the ball has a different surface all together which gives less possibility of exposure. However badminton shuttle has a very soft surface with possible exposure. Considering all these BWF can consider using a special hand glove in their single hand by the players touching the shuttles, using of face masks while out of court, consulting coaches etc.

TS: How do you see impact of COVID-19 in Indian sports?

Madhurjya: There has been a huge negative impact of the Pandemic in Indian sports. To be frank, the entire Indian sports ecosystem is very badly affected. Be it equipment industry, supply chain, coaching industry, fan base, sponsorship, broadcasting, the entire ecosystem is so badly impacted that it will take a lot of initiatives, planning, re-planning to streamline everything. In fact, it is time now to start planning for a massive reboot of the entire Indian sports ecosystem involving massive participation of all stakeholders.

TS: How do the sportspersons work to overcome the situation?

Madhurjya: I would like to advise all the sportsperson to be practical. COVID-19 affected everyone. So we need to restart with more agility, more planning, dedication and with proper focus. Every athlete is raring to start, raring to get into the best of fitness and get into the game with best possible impact. I would advise to start training in a step by step method with proper consultation of a professional or a coach.

TS: Share your experience to work with Rajasthan Badminton Association?

Madhurjya: I feel honoured to be the part of badminton fraternity of Rajasthan. As a senior executive of Oil India Limited, I left Assam in 2016 on transfer to Jodhpur to take on a more challenging assignment. However, leaving my home state and more specifically the home badminton environment was very difficult. But it was a big surprise for me when the General Secretary of Rajasthan Badminton Association K K Sharma sought my guidance and cooperation in developing the game in Rajasthan. Later I got introduced to the Jodhpur District Badminton Association and nominated as the Senior Vice President. Being the Chief Advisor of the Rajasthan Badminton Association, I have been advising them on technical matters and improvement on infrastructures. We are building the game from the grassroot and have a 10 year plan.

Also Watch: Gun Goes off Accidently at a Party, One injured