Karnataka shuttlers dominate court
In the U‑17 final, the fifth seed Shaina scripted a calm and composed 21‑12, 21‑14 victory over fellow state‑mate Hrishabtej R. Rajaih, while in the U‑15 section, she overcame wildcard contender Keerthi Balaaji, also from Karnataka, with a 21‑8, 21‑12 win.
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Indian Express
2 days ago
- Indian Express
It's time India scales up production to tide over shuttlecock scarcity arising from change in Chinese food preferences
Trust the French to notice that char siu (barbecued pork) has taken over the land of the Peking duck, on the Chinese dinner table. It's not that their own confit base protein was suddenly affected, to kick off se plaindre (the complaining). The unrelated news arrived through badminton. The last three months have witnessed a steep rise in prices of shuttlecocks, and academies all over India are having to factor in this escalation in their running costs, grin and bear even though shelling out the extra cash can't ensure that stocks will arrive. The reason cited is shortage of raw materials, arising from fewer ducks being harvested. The shortage – either naturally resulting from a diet switch or artificially contrived, as several coaches guess – means that though India's top players will continue to be catered to by the big corporations, Yonex and Li Ling, the vast majority of upcoming shuttlers are expected to feel the pinch in the coming months. They face anxiety not just over playing the game, but also over when the next stocks will arrive, and uncertainty if training sessions can go on without a supply glitch. ALSO READ | Shuttlecock prices spiral and stocks drop in India as China's tastes shift from fowl to pork While national coach Pullela Gopichand spoke of the dependency on goose feathers needing a long-term solution, coach Vimal Kumar recalled an intrepid project from 40 years ago when India had attempted to get a headstart in shuttle manufacturing, but got priced out by imports that were more cost-effective and also better in quality as the years went on. In 1994, Kannur's plywood businessman Mayen Mohamed, an engineer by vocation, had set out to expand into manufacturing shuttles. Kerala had a bit of a history of rearing ducks for meat, and he set up a plant to make high-quality shuttles. In this endeavor, he was joined by the legendary Prakash Padukone and Vikram Singh, another well-known shuttler. Gopichand's All England title was still seven years away, and Indian bureaucracy dawdled as the sport developed at a glacial pace. But the entrepreneurial spirit was buzzing. The shuttles produced under the brand name 'PraVik' on a small scale were high in quality, but it was never going to match Chinese large-scale manufacturing units. A box of 10 shuttles was prized, but the feather market globally would get flooded by cheaper, inferior quality shuttles, though the technology from giants Yonex and subsequently Li Ning and Victor kept improving, driving Indian brands to the periphery. The plant did not lack innovation, but when markets opened in India, survival was near impossible. The scaling up didn't quite happen, though it remained an experiment that had briefly worked. The kuttanad tharavu mappas (duck curry) remains popular, but this side chick-goose business hasn't quite taken off. Even today, shuttles which get labels stuck on by domestic brands like Skylark and Albatross get made – not in Kerala, but in Bengal. In the Uluberia belt of the state where hasher mangsho (duck meat) remains a delicacy, and hence ducks are raised, smallish industrial units spit out shuttles of varying quality. There's no consistency in these handmade shuttles, and one can't ensure that they will travel around at a uniform speed. They are either too fast, wobble or wither quickly. 'India should seriously look at setting up shuttle-making factories around Kerala and Bengal. The quality of feathers is key, but with what's coming in terms of shortages and price rise, I'm not sure why we cannot,' says Vimal Kumar, who says most national federations camp in Hong Kong and Canton and buy the best ones that Yonex or Li Ning offer. The feather shortages however, have hit all makers big and small with even Lingmei, a smaller brand, facing supply delays. Shuttles are broadly either ACPTR (used by academies) or higher end AS-2, used by players on the competitive circuit. The absolute elite play with AS-30, 40, 50. Duck feathers are cheaper than geese but are more prominent because the stem is stronger. The cork of the shuttles, which weighs 4.5 to 5 grams, comes from Portugal and the glue from Burma. One Bengaluru coach mentions that shuttles in recent months have 'felt artificial', though he's unable to put a finger on what could have changed. Dealerships are also grappling with a supply lag, originating from Bangladesh to China. Apparently, for a certain cost segment of feather shuttles, ducks from Bangladesh are sourced, though the import of birds is largely for meat. The alternatives The Badminton World Federation has been experimenting with clones and alternative materials for a long time, but the sport, though not as expensive as tennis, remains mighty picky about feathers. Plastic shuttles are good enough to smash and drive, but shuttlers can pen ballads and reams of poetry for the delicate feel of the 'tumble at the net'. It's how the feather shuttle slows in flight that makes it special, while a plastic one will travel like an ugly bullet. Though it seems absolutely ridiculous that an entire sport could be at the mercy of whether the Chinese fancy pork or duck for dinner, that is where the sport is at the moment. While plenty of feeder academies survive on nylon shuttles and hybrids, the feather shuttle is a thing of beauty. The air drag, flight and tumble is just not the same. 'Synthetics – they are crap,' says a Chennai coach, struggling big time with the price rise. Maybe, the Kerala and Bengal units need to get more ambitious, and look at this crisis as an opportunity. Indians are not likely to give up on badminton just because the bird costs got prohibitive. The country is too deep now to take a step back.
News18
6 days ago
- News18
4th Sub-Junior Boxing Nationals From August 7, Over 700 Youngsters To Compete
Last Updated: Boxing Federation of India announced the 4th Sub-Junior (U-15) Boys and Girls National Boxing Championships from August 7 to 13, featuring over 700 young boxers. The Boxing Federation of India (BFI) announced on Tuesday that the 4th Sub-Junior (U-15) Boys and Girls National Boxing Championships will take place from August 7 to 13 at Galgotias University in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh. The event will feature over 700 young boxers, including 400 boys and 300 girls aged between 13 and 14, competing across 15 weight categories. Aligned with BFI's broader vision to create a strong pathway from grassroots to elite levels, the Sub-Junior Nationals play a vital role in identifying promising young talent and preparing them for higher competition levels. This event follows the successful completion of the men's, women's, and junior nationals earlier this year, which have already produced international medallists and future stars. Haryana (Girls) and Chandigarh (Boys) will enter this edition as the defending champions from the 3rd Sub-Junior Nationals. Boxers will compete under World Boxing Technical Rules, engaging in three rounds of 1.5 minutes each, with a minute's rest between rounds. A 10-point scoring system will be used. Medal winners from the REC Combined Talent Hunt 2024 are also eligible to participate, adding to the competitiveness of the event. An official from BFI remarked, 'The Sub-Junior Nationals are where India's boxing journey truly begins. This platform helps identify talented individuals and allows them to experience real competition early in their careers. The skills, discipline, and confidence developed here are the first building blocks of international success. This is a significant grassroots step in these young boxers' journeys, and we're sure we'll see many stars of the future in action." Indian boxing's youth programme has been gaining global attention, not only at the senior level but also in age-group competitions. At the recent Asian U-15 and U-17 Championships, Indian boxers secured 43 medals and finished second overall, showcasing the depth of talent and promise within the junior ranks. With IANS Inputs view comments Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
The Hindu
20-07-2025
- The Hindu
Prashansa Bonam emerges as Under-19 girls' singles State Badminton Champion
Prashansa Bonam from Khammam town emerged girls' U-19 singles State champion at the Yonex-Sunrise 11th Telangana State Junior Badminton Championship-2025, which concluded in Nirmal town on Sunday, July 20. The event was organised by Star Mancherial District Badminton Association under the aegis of the Badminton Association of Telangana and the Sports Authority of Telangana. MLC Chinnamile Anji Reddy presented the trophy to Prashansa at the closing ceremony of the event held in Nirmal late on Sunday afternoon. Prashansa won the title for the second consecutive time, a press release said. She has also won the U-19 girls' singles title at the Uganda Badminton Championship held in Uganda in 2024. She has several other titles in her kitty.
