Pramod Bhagat: It's my responsibility to enhance image of para badminton in India

India's World No. 1 para shuttler determined to win a medal at the ongoing Tokyo Paralympics to create a platform for others to follow

India's world No. 1 para shuttler Pramod Bhagat is determined to win a medal at the ongoing Tokyo Paralympics in order to enhance the popularity of the sport in the country.

Badminton as a sport is being introduced for the first time at the Paralympics and Bhagat is part of the seven-member contingent that will represent India at the Games.

Bhagat, 33, feels there is a huge responsibility on his shoulders to attract the attention of the masses to the sport by performing well in Tokyo.

"Badminton is being played for the first time in the Paralympics and there is a huge responsibility on me to take the country's para-badminton ahead and enhance the image of the sport in the country. If I win a medal, the spotlight will be on the sport and doors will open for others who are keen to take up the sport in the country," Bhagat told mid-day.com on Tuesday.  

The 2019 Arjuna awardee, who was detected with polio in his left leg at the age of five, admits feeling pressure as he prepares to leave for Tokyo on Friday, but said it will only help him perform better.

"There is pressure but it always helps me do well. Last time too, when I was nominated for the Arjuna award, I was heading for the world championships [at Basel, Switzerland] and there was pressure as I wanted to receive the award with the pride of being the world champion. This time too, I have been nominated for the Khel Ratna [award], so I want to justify it by winning a medal," said the current Asian Games champion, who will kick off his campaign in Tokyo on September 1.

Bhagat will enter the competition in Tokyo on the back of two gold medals [in singles, and doubles with Manoj Sarkar] at the Dubai Para-Badminton tournament in April.

"I have faced all the competitors who qualified for the tournament and have won most of the time. So I'm confident of a good performance. I just need to focus on giving my best and results will take care of itself," said the southpaw, who will be participating in the singles (SL3- standing/lower limb impairment/minor) and mixed doubles events.    

Bhagat believes he has more chances of winning a medal in singles than in mixed doubles, in which he will partner Punjab’s Palak Kohli (SL5-upper limb impairment).

"It is difficult managing two formats but we have trained well and we finished third in Dubai. We have gelled well. Though she [Palak] is young and lacks experience, we are confident of putting up a fight," explained the shuttler, who hails from Attabira in Barghar district of Odisha.

A self-confessed cricket fan, Bhagat took to badminton in 2002 and has not looked back since. “I started playing badminton in 2002 and when I started doing well at the district level, it gave me confidence that I can do well in the sport. When I got to know about para-badminton [in 2005], I decided to give it a shot and I emerged champion in the very first tournament I participated in. That's when I decided I wanted to become a professional and since then, have dedicated my life to excel in the sport," Bhagat revealed.

Like most para-athletes, Bhagat said he too had his share of huge challenges, but that has made him more determined.

"If you see, there are challenges in the life of every athlete. Even when I met [India's chief badminton coach] Pullela Gopichand, he too said he had to face numerous challenges in his life. But the challenges we have are more than compared to the normal athletes. We first have to fight with ourselves. Then we have to prove to the world. My only motivation is that I need to do something worthwhile in life," he reckoned.

Bhagat credits his success to his late parents and believes winning a medal will fulfil their dream.

"It was my parents dream that I should participate in the Olympics. Though they are not in this world now they always wanted me to become a good athlete and I will always be thankful to them for where I'm today. I'm sure their blessing will be with me and if I win a medal, I would like to dedicate it to them," he signed off.

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