Arintap Dasgupta wss the champion in the All-India junior ranking badminton tournament (U-19) in 2017. He won the Singles title at the recently concluded 82nd WB Senior State Badminton Championship 2019. An exclusive interaction with Arintap
Please tell us about your badminton journey?
When I was about six years old, I saw Prakash Padukone who had come for a tournament in a club in garfa. He was the chief guest and inaugurated the tournament. I came to know that he was the first Indian to win the All England Open Badminton Championships. I enjoyed watching the game and eventually got myself enrolled to learn badminton in the club. I got training under Soumen Bhattacharjee and eventually I was selected for the nationals. I was called for trails by Prakash Padukone for his academy and I was selected . I am based out there since U-13.
How supportive were your parents of this decision?
My father was a table tennis player. He initially put me in learning table tennis. But I enjoyed badminton. he was supportive of my decision.My parents gave me the freedom to pursue my dream of playing badminton.
What skills or qualities a good badminton player should have?
Mastering the game takes not only excellent hand-eye coordination but good physical fitness, too.Badminton players need to possess a variety of fitness capabilities to be successful. It is of utmost importance to have a structured fitness programme We get excellent fitness training at the academy which is at par with international standards.
How do you see the present scenario of badminton ?
The craze for badminton has increased a lot. Our Badminton players are making India proud by bringing laurels to the country after participating in prestigious international events. For instance, Saina Nehwal was India’s first shuttler to win a medal at the Olympics. Talking about Bengal scenario, slowly and steadily, boys and girls from the state are racking up medals.
