Indian Juniors Losing Close Ties Due to Tough Competition in Asia

Badminton Asia Junior Championship held in Jakarta experienced the exit of the Indian shuttlers from the mixed team event. Their finish displayed the position of junior badminton at an international level. India defeated Kazakhstan and Sri Lanka with a 5-0 in their opening group ties and scored 1-4 to South Korea before qualifying for the quarter finals. India did not lose a single game against Kazakhstan and Sri Lanka but went down to South Korea. In the quarter finals, India lost to runners-up Japan with 1-3.

The Indian shuttler Lakshya Sen came out as a bright spot in the last two ties, by winning both the singles matches. Chinese players both senior and junior have been dominant for years in the world and Asian level. After getting past the Chinese, the next level includes Indonesians, Japanese, Malaysians and South Koreans who are the strongest players of all time. Currently, Lakshya Sen, Priyanshu Rajawat, Kiran George are the few names who are giving a good fight to the Asians. India has never won a team event at the Badminton Asia Junior Championships and the only time they received success was when the 17 year old P.V. Sindhu bagged the girls’ singles title in 2012. This Olympic silver medallist is the only Indian who can win the Asia Championship at both junior and senior level.

By: Swati Kaushal

Content: Hindustan Times