QUEEN’S ROAD:Abantika Deka is not a name that you would be familiar with. But those on the badminton circuit know her well, for she was one of the most talented players in the sport just a couple of years ago. A knee injury and consequent surgery forced her off the courts but this determined girl from Assam is all set to make a comeback.
Her sheer grit and desire to take on the young and the experienced in a tough and demanding sport like badminton is indeed praise worthy. Abantika was among India’s best juniors and a promising doubles player. She was in the top 10 and was also among the probables for the 2010 Commonwealth Games.
She worked hard at the Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy in Bengaluru under coaches like Vimal Kumar and Prakash himself.
“I had to take a break due to a ligament injury. I underwent a surgery too. I was forced to be off the courts but badminton is and always will be my first love,” said Abantika.
“I used to work hard, but I wasn’t getting results. My coaches had high expectations of me, but I couldn’t do well. Then there was the injury. So I thought I would get into modelling for the time being. But then I decided to get back into the court. Being in Bengaluru will make the comeback easier,” she added.
“I also wanted to do something apart from badminton. I was interested in modelling, but I had no experience. I got my portfolio done and started sending it out to coordinators. I came to know of Santosh Kumar who is a casting director and he gave me my first breakthrough in a print campaign for Urban Yoga,” said Abantika, who is now the manager, business development of Bonton Cables, a Delhi-based firm that has an office in Bengaluru.
“Yes, badminton and modelling are similar in some respects as both require a lot of hard work. But it was fun. It was easier for me because of my badminton background. I was a disciplined student. I’m confident in front of the camera. I want to give my hundred per cent to whatever I do,” said Abantika.
“My family always wanted me to be a good badminton player. I have a lot of catching up to do. I will start afresh and let’s see how it goes,” she said.