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Indian Express
22-07-2025
- Sport
- Indian Express
Lakshya Sen to train at French National training centre INSEP ahead of World Championships
Beleaguered Indian shuttler Lakshya Sen will reach Paris early ahead of the World Championships in August and train at their National Centre, INSEP (National Institute of Sport, Expertise & Performance). Sen hasn't quite made the quarterfinals on the circuit in recent months, but believes that his preparation has been steadfast after emerging from a tough few months, dealing with shoulder and back injuries. He is hopeful of continuing a good tryst with Paris where he made the bronze playoffs at the 2024 Olympics. 'Overall I've done good work recently. Few more weeks of good training and preparation before we get to the World Championship,' he told BWF. 'It's one of the good, more suited stadiums to my game. I'm extra motivated for the World Championship. It's a good place to play, good conditions, I've done well before. So ya hoping I continue a good run there. Important next few months,' he said, adding, 'Also going bit early to France to adjust to time zone. Will train at INSEP (National Institute of Sport, Expertise & Performance)' Sen has sent his entry for the Macau Open but there is no clarity if he will play or skip the tournament preparing for the Worlds where he has a bronze from 2021. He rued his missed opportunities against Li Shifeng in the opener at Chiba Open, but was happy with how he was moving around the court. 'Ya it was a good match. I was playing well. Starting from the beginning had a good start. Second set I didn't start very well. But got my rhythm back. I had two match points in my hand. But unlucky to not close in second set,' Sen tolf BWF. 'Third set I didn't get a good start and then it was really tough to get back into the game. And he was also quite solid. After winning second set he was much more confident. And I had to put the shuttle down in the third set. But I had my chances in the second. Overall a little disappointed but looking forward to next tournament,' he said. Sen was especially happy with his speed. 'Physically I was 100 percent today. But past few months have been tough so trying to get back to full training. Today's match was a good example of…gave me good confidence that I can play again at the highest level with that speed again the ..past few months struggled a bit, in moving that well on the court. Happy I could move just build on that,' he added.
Indian Express
04-06-2025
- General
- Indian Express
Pratima Barwa, the coach who gave wings to Adivasi hockey players
Chances are that most outside the modest Indian hockey universe would not have heard of Pratima Barwa. Perhaps she preferred it that way. Barwa, who passed away on Sunday aged 44 due to a brain haemorrhage, dedicated her life to hockey. She did what few could — identify and nurture young talents in one of the sport's biggest catchment areas, Jharkhand's Simdega. Because of her efforts, Indian hockey is in a better place — three players, including captain Salima Tete, are currently part of the national team that is in Europe for the FIH Pro League. Grassroots coaching is one of the most unglamorous parts of sport because of the lack of incentive. Yet, without such coaches, the sporting ecosystem would be a non-starter. Selfless coaches like Barwa, who was from Khunti, have kept Indian hockey running. Her academy was rudimentary, and some of the coaching methods were, possibly, archaic. But Barwa, described as a 'mother figure' by her wards, did something far more impactful — she got children hooked to hockey and gave wings to their dreams. Barwa's own aspirations to play for India were unfulfilled. She played for Bihar in the early 1990s. However, a left knee ligament injury in 1995 cut short her playing career. She then promised herself that she would help young players from the region. Barwa's journey as a coach began in 2008 after she completed a diploma from the National Institute of Sport in Patiala. A job with the Jharkhand government as a coach took her to Simdega, and the hard yards began. From sunrise to sunset, she would travel to schools and villages where there was the slightest promise of talent, convince the families to let their child play hockey and then groom them into world-class talents. Barwa never got the recognition she deserved. Her legacy will, however, be there for all to see each time the Indian team steps onto the hockey field.
