Shuttling Genetic Tradition

HYDERABAD: It is in their DNA. First PV Sindhu and now Gayatri Gopichand. Daughter of former volleyball players PV Ramana and  Vijaya, world championship bronze medallist Sindhu had it in her to excel in sports and chose badminton.

Gayatri is following in the footsteps of her illustrious parents, former All-England champion Pullela Gopichand and Olympian PVV Lakshmi. She is slowly showing mettle, winning her maiden title in the AP state U-13 championship last week.

Also in the wings is N Yeshaswini, a late entrant to the game after switching over from hockey to badminton. She is the daughter of former India hockey players Mukesh Kumar and Nidhi. The 14-year-old was the Hyderabad district champion last year.

Gayatri has her younger brother Vishnu, too, swinging the racquet. The siblings are regulars at their father’s academy, sweating it out with others. Gopi keeps an eye from a distance, while Lakshmi says the game came naturally to their children. “I think badminton is in their blood. They started showing interest from a young age while accompanying their father to the courts. Slowly, they got into the game and today they play with a lot of enthusiasm,” said the former national champion.

The children mean business on the court, but at home, they hardly talk about the game. “Maybe, once they grow up, they may talk about their game. As of now, they are too young to talk or discuss,” she added.

Arjuna award winner Ramana feels the children of sportspersons will always have an advantage. “There is natural talent in them. Sindhu chose to to play badminton seeing Gopichand, who was her idol. We never forced her to play any particular game,” he said.

Having established herself as one of the world’s top players, Sindhu’s rise has been spectacular. Ramana adds there will always be pressure on players. “Being an international, I know what pressure is about. It is an advantage. I have healthy discussions with Sindhu and keep talking about the game, particularly on handling pressure. I do offer a few tips and she takes all these in a positive way,” he said.

Mukesh and wife Nidhi too discuss Yeshaswini’s game. “We are not putting any pressure on our daughter. We tell her to play freely, but at the same time discuss the mistakes she is making. We mainly tell her to be cool. Our experience of playing high pressure games comes in handy and we pass on some information, giving a few examples,” said Mukesh. Surely Ramana, Gopichand and Mukesh, who have played three different games, would have one common goal — to see their children excel in badminton.

While Sindhu has already made a mark, it is the turn of Yeshaswini, Gayatri and Vishnu to stamp their class. Whatever they do, some interesting days are ahead in Indian badminton for sure.