‘Hoping to start 2016 on a bright note’

In an Olympic year, every performance in every single tournament of international repute matters. In that context, the Premier Badminton League, which has become the de-facto season-opener, has acquired added importance.

“For me to be there in top-4 or even top-8 of the world is a tough thing. So I just want to play really well in the next 2-3 months,” said K. Srikanth.

“Being a singles player, I hardly get to play in such team events. I’m alone all the time, I have to strategise all by myself. So to start the season with such a league is very good. You get to know your strengths and weaknesses. I’m really hoping to start 2016 on a bright note.”

For doubles specialist Ashwini Ponnappa too, staying within the Olympic qualification cut-off is the prime target.

“Ideally it would be great if Jwala [Gutta] and I end the qualifying period in the top-10,” said Ashwini.

“Currently, though we are in there, anything can happen because there are a lot of tournaments and players can come from behind. It is really important that the two of us work hard and stay focused.”

When asked if this event could provide the thrust to Indian badminton, particularly in the absence of many domestic events, P. Gopichand said, “I think badminton has changed quite a bit.

“Three years ago, if someone was to tell me that Rs. one lakh is great prize money in badminton, the PBL has shattered those norms today.”

“Players being sold for $100,000 for two weeks changes the dynamics of the sport and the thinking of the players toward the sport. We needed to reinvent badminton and the PBL has started at the top. I am sure it will percolate to the bottom,” he said.