Coach Gaurav Khanna: Credit to my players

Para shuttler Palak Kohli and coach Gaurav Khanna

Under the able guidance of super coach Gaurav Khanna, the Indian para badminton contingent returned with a whopping 47 medals from the Uganda Para Badminton International in Kampala recently. India's shuttlers bagged 16 gold, 14 silver and 17 bronze medals across the 19 events at the Lugogo Stadium that saw a total of 138 international para athletes competing in the BWF tournament. Interestingly, India figured in 13 finals of which 11 were all-Indian affairs.

Paralympians Palak Kohli, Abu Hubaida and Ammu Mohan clinched two gold and one silver medal each. "I'm very happy with my medals. It is a BWF event and part of the international ranking system. So, this is big," said teenager Kohli, who hails from Punjab. "I competed in three finals and among them was my first singles final, so I will remember this for a long time. I have already started planning my schedule for Paris 2024 along with Gaurav sir," added Kohli.

Also Read: Mumbai: First professional para badminton academy set to open

Different needs

Coach Khanna gave full credit to his team and the meticulous planning that went into the event. "I have a good, hardworking team. The para athletes are all different. Some are wheelchair-bound while others have limb deformities or are polio victims, so accordingly their needs and training methods differ. It is far easier to teach normal players. But full credit to my players for their self-belief and confidence," explained Khanna. The seven-member India para badminton squad had returned with two gold, one silver and one bronze from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and now this feat further proves their consistency in the global arena.

Paris, the long-term goal

So what's next for this bunch of champion shuttlers? "Next month, we travel to Bahrain for the Asia Youth Para Games. The long-term goal obviously is the 2024 Paris Olympics. My plan is to go on a talent hunt to look for promising juniors who will excel at the 2028 and 2032 Games and beyond. My aim is to see India dominate as a powerhouse in the world of para badminton," concluded Khanna, who has refused many lucrative contracts with international teams as he continues to selflessly serve Team India.

Also Read: Para shuttlers were highly motivated: Coach Khanna