Badminton Association of India (BAI) Should Start an Indian Badminton League, says India International Shuttler Arun Vishnu

A young dynamic Shuttler from Calicut in Kerela, ARUN VISHNU has been performing consistently at the National level. He was also part of the Indian Badminton contingent in the Guangzhou Asian Games, 2010.Ranked No. 1 in the National Level, he intends to improve his ranking in the international level too. But it’s the lack of sponsorship which hinders his prospect.In an interview to Babua Biswas, he opens up his mind on various issues related to the game he plays – BADMINTON.

Excerpts:Babua Biswas (BB): Very little about you are known despite the fact that you represent India. Can you tell us more about yourself, your family and your childhood?Arun Vishnu: I hail from Calicut in Kerela where my father is a Professor in the Calicut University while my mother is the District Officer of Khadi and Village Industries Office at Wayanad. I have a younger Sister who is pursuing her MBBS. I graduated in commerce but I was into Badminton since the age of 12. Then I use to train under Coach Mr. A. Nazer. Right now I practice at Gopichand Badminton Academy, Hyderabad.

BB: Badminton is not a very popular game unlike Cricket or Tennis which has a mass fan following. What made you take up Badminton as a profession?Arun Vishnu: Being from Kerala where every kind of sports is played, I had the option to choose what I wanted to play. Moreover badminton and football are more popular here than cricket or tennis. My passion towards badminton and eagerness to do something for the country made me take up badminton as a profession.

BB: Who has been your role model within the Badminton fraternity and outside the game?Arun Vishnu: My role model on and off the court is my beloved Coach Mr. Pullela Gopichand. His knowledge and passion towards badminton, I think, cannot be matched by anyone.

BB: Can you tell us about your major achievements?Arun Vishnu:

(1) Winner in Mixed Doubles in the Syed Modi International Grand Prix – 2009 held at Lucknow in December 2009

(2) Winner in Mixed Doubles in the Bahrain International Challenge – 2008 held at Bahrain in December 2008

(3) Runner-up in Men Doubles and Mixed Doubles in the Tata Open Indian International Challenge – 2010 held at Mumbai, India in December 2010

(4) Runner-up in Mixed Doubles in the Spanish International Challenge – 2009 held at Madrid, Spain in May 2009

(5) Represented India in the 16^th Asian Games held in Guangzhou, China in November 2010

(6) Member of the Indian Team which was Winner in Group 3 in the Sudirman Cup – 2009 held at Guangzhou, China in May 2009

(7) Winner in Men Doubles and Mixed Doubles in the All India Senior Ranking Badminton Tournament – 2011 held in Atul, Gujarat in February 2011

(8) Winner in Men Doubles and Mixed Doubles in the Bank of India All India Senior Ranking Badminton Tournament – 2010 held in Bangalore, Karnataka in November 2010

(9) Winner in Men Doubles and Mixed Doubles in the All India Senior Ranking Badminton Tournament – 2010 held in Bareilly, U.P in August 2010

BB: Badminton also requires tremendous fitness. What kind of a training & fitness regimen do you follow?Arun Vishnu: Yes, like every sports badminton also requires tremendous fitness. I train at Gopichand Badminton Academy in Hyderabad for 8 Hrs a day, six days in a week. I devote the whole morning season to on court practice while in the evening season with little practice I undergo fitness regime. It’s tough but to achieve something you need to work hard.

BB: You have played for India Junior and now for the senior? What has been your most memorable moment?Arun Vishnu: Winning The Bahrain International Challenge 2008 has been themost memorable moment for me till now. It holds a special place in my heart as it was my first international title. I do believe it will remain one of my most memorable moment if not the best.

BB: Every journey is tough and every dream is hard to accomplish. In the way we fall and rise again. You might have also experienced the same. Which has been your toughest moment so far in your journey?Arun Vishnu: In July 2006 I had a Knee (ACL tear) injury which prevented me to stay away for a while from badminton court. And that was my last year as junior. I made my comeback after the surgery in July 2007 in senior cadre. So coming back after a long layoff was in itself tough but along with that I had to switch from the junior cadre to the senior which was very tough but challenging as well.

BB: Your rank in national level is consistently good. I am sure you have set a target at the international level too. Within what rank are you expecting yourself to get in by this year end?Arun Vishnu: Presently I am ranked No.1 in men doubles and mixed doubles as per Badminton Association of India Ranking. I am a tenure based Sports Person with Indian Oil Co. Ltd. Indian Oil takes care of all my expenses of national tournaments. That’s one of the main reason for my good national ranking. My best world ranking was 49 in mixed doubles and 47 in men doubles. To improve my world ranking I have to play atleast 10 to 12 international tournaments a year. Without a sponsor I won’t be able to play so many international tournaments. So, I am badly in need of a good sponsor. Hence, right now I have not set any target at international ranking.

BB: What are the goals that you have set for yourself in 2011?Arun Vishnu: Right now my aim is to maintain my fitness and perform consistently in all the tournaments I enter. Beating Rupesh Kumar and Sanave Thomas who are National Champions for a very long time is my main priority.

BB: Saina Nehwal has given the game a huge boost in India, how would you like to contribute in this aspect?Arun Vishnu: Saina is really doing for herself, for the country and at most for the popularity of the game in India. She is consistently performing in International Tournaments. She has shown all of us that everyone is beatable in the world, to give 100% in all the tournament you enter. As a player that is what it matters the most.

BB: What more according to you can be done to improve Badminton in India?Arun Vishnu: The number of domestic tournaments played in India is just 3 to 4 a year. It has to be increased to atleast 10 a year. I think Badminton Association of India (BAI) should start an Indian Badminton League in the format of Sudirman Cup (Mixed Team Championship). This will make players richer, more fan following and will surly attract more sponsors. China, Indonesia and most of the European countries are having league like this.International exposure for second string players should be provided.

BB: You might have heard of Reliance-IMG’s foray into India. They have signed a contract with Basketball Federation of India and All India Football Federation. Do you think if such contract is signed with Badminton Association of India, it will help improve the game?Arun Vishnu: This will be a real boost for Indian Badminton. We will get to play more International Tournaments. Service of foreign coach can be availed. Round the year National Camps can be conducted. This will result in better performance and more no. of Indians can be seen in world ranking. More will be interested to take up badminton as a profession. Thus the popularity of the game will surely increase.

BB: How do you rate India’s badminton chances at the forthcoming London 2012 Olympic?Arun Vishnu: Winning a Gold or two is quiet possible if you look at Saina Nehwal, Diju V and Jwala Gutta. They are our medal prospects for the forthcoming London Olympics 2010 in badminton event. However with over a year still to go, no one can say anything. We might come back winning more. Anything can happen.

BB: What would you like to say about your partner Akshay Dewalkar and Aparna Balan?Arun Vishnu: Akshay and Aparna are first a friend then a partner. I compliment very well with both them and so we are able to perform consistently.Akshay is very aggressive on court and he is the one with the most powerful smash in the Country right now.While Aparna is a senior from my own hometown. We have been training together since childhood and she is one of the most experienced players in the country.As I said both are my best match mates on court and buddies off court, whom I can trust for anything and depend upon anytime.

BB: Will we ever see you playing singles?Arun Vishnu: I don’t have any intention of playing Singles as of now and I don’t think I will ever play as well. I am concentrating only on Doubles and Mixed Doubles and want to make it big in the international arena also.

BB: What should aspiring shuttlers’ do? Any coaching academy you would like to suggest.Arun Vishnu: For any aspiring shuttlers it’s important to get the basics right. I would suggest Gopichand Badminton Academy, Hyderabad which is one of the best in the world right now with all the modern equipments required for any professional badminton player. However, it’s not the coach or facilities that will make you big, it is your hard work, perseverance and determination which will take you ahead.

BB: Any regrets or unfulfilled dreams?Arun Vishnu: I have only things to achieve. I don’t cry for what I have lost.

BB: What message would you like to leave for our readers or sport lovers?Arun Vishnu: There is no shortcut to success. The secret to success is hardwork and dedication. Good Luck and may god bless all of you.

BB: Thanks a lot for talking to us Arun. I wish you a very good luck on behalf of the SportsKeeda family for the National Games.Arun Vishnu: It’s my pleasure.