Latest news with #SainaNehwal
Hindustan Times
05-08-2025
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
BAI, BWF readies Guwahati for World Junior Championships
NEW DELHI: More immigration counters, sufficient number of practice courts, smoother traffic, blocking hotel rooms, setting up the competition venue, implementing a new scoring system — these are some of the pointers that will keep the Badminton Association of India (BAI) and Badminton World Federation (BWF) occupied as Guwahati gets ready to host the World Junior Championships from October 13-19. Representational image of badminton. (Getty Images) This will be the second time India will host the event after the 2008 edition in Pune where Saina Nehwal was crowned the girls' singles champion — the only Indian to achieve the feat. 'We are fulfilling all the requirements of BWF. Roughly 600-700 players and officials will come to Guwahati. 39 teams (federations) have already confirmed for the team event. For the individual competition, shuttlers from 10-12 more countries will add up to make it a total participation of shuttlers from 50-55 countries,' BAI secretary general Sanjay Mishra told HT. 'We have blocked hotel rooms. BAI president (and Assam chief minister) Himanta Biswa Sarma had a meeting with state officials regarding making traffic smooth for players as some hotels are a little away from the venue. He has already given orders to the state departments concerned.' A BWF team was recently in Assam's main city for a recce of the venue, BAI's National Centre of Excellence which was inaugurated in 2023. The NCoE will host the team event from October 6-11 followed by the individual competition from October 13-19. 'The NCoE is a readymade badminton facility that is well equipped to welcome the best emerging badminton talent from around the world. This includes the practice facilities. We will work closely with BAI and the local organising committee to ensure player and entourage arrivals, accommodation, and transport run smoothly,' BWF secretary general Thomas Lund told HT. 'There are several exciting innovations that will be implemented in Guwahati as part of our long-term considerations for innovation in events and event delivery. An updated relay system will be introduced in the mixed team tournament while the individual championships will trial the 3x15 scoring system as part of BWF's wider testing and analysis programme.' For the team event, each tie will be decided over best-of-three games with each game played to a total of 45 points and comprising five matches (men's and women's singles, men's and women's doubles, and mixed doubles). It is important for India to put up a good show as it is due to host the senior World Championships next year, the venue for which is to be decided. The India Open — the biggest annual event India hosts — was criticised in January by Danish shuttler Mia Blichfeldt, who slammed the 'unhealthy and unacceptable' playing conditions, complaining about air pollution and dirt after falling ill regularly during her India visits. France's Thom Gicquel had complained about the playing conditions and pollution levels in the national capital. There have been a few instances of food poisoning too over the years. 'The BWF team was 100% satisfied with the hotels, the 3,500-seater venue and sufficient practice courts (12). We have also requested for increasing the number of immigration counters because many players will come from Malaysia or Singapore, which have direct flights to Guwahati. For those coming via New Delhi, we have put together a meet-and-greet team. There should not be a problem of any kind,' said Mishra, the former junior national coach. The 2009 BWF World Championships in Hyderabad — the only time India hosted the event — wasn't without problems after the England squad withdrew citing security concerns. They were joined by two Austrian shuttlers later. Lund said: 'To achieve such lofty ambitions for the tournament, a lot of planning and collaboration between BWF, BAI and the Guwahati LOC has taken place. Last year (in Nanchang), we had 457 competitors from 39 teams. This year too, we'll roughly have the same numbers. 'The team relay format posed some technical and logistical complications last year and we have taken onboard those learnings to ensure all facets are running smoothly, particularly for players and technical officials. We will run 3-4 sessions a day to get through the matches, which means a lot of staff, officials and volunteers on hand.' Asked about the challenges, Mishra said they are usually venue related, like washrooms, playing halls, lighting, etc. 'The venue is our biggest plus point. At NCoE, everything is perfect. BWF has already approved it.' Apart from the India Open, a Super 750 event, India also hosts a few Super 300 and Super 100 tournaments. In 2014, they hosted the Thomas and Uber Cups. 'We feel BAI are well placed to meet the current technical requirements to host a championships of this level. Of course, together we are entering slightly unknown territory with the scoring system innovations. All parties will be focused on this during the first week of the event,' said Lund.
Pink Villa
03-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Days after announcing separation, Saina Nehwal is 'trying again' with hubby Parupalli Kashyap, internet asks 'Is this a joke?'
Just a couple of days back, Saina Nehwal had left all her fans heartbroken after she announced her separation from husband Parupalli Kashyap. With a small note on social media, the Olympic bronze medal-winning veteran badminton player announced her intention to get a divorce from her husband after almost 7 years of marriage. But now, in yet another post, she has revealed trying to reconcile with her husband, leaving everyone overjoyed. Sania Nehwal's post with husband Parupalli Kashyap Taking to her Instagram handle, Saina Nehwal shared a picture of her posing with her husband. The two look happy together and cannot stop smiling. The Badminton player looks lovely in a green colored dress that she has paired with a brown belt. While her husband, Parupalli Kashyap, looks dapper in a cream shirt and blue denim. These two seem to be on a trip and pose amidst a beautiful location. Nehwal captioned this picture as, 'Sometimes distance teaches you the value of presence. Here we are—trying again.' This decision of the couple was welcomed by fans with open arms. Many took to the comments section and praised their step. Some wrote, 'That's awesome. Kudos to both of you. Free communication and sincere efforts matter till the end. Happy to see both of you together, keep at it.' Another fan wrote, 'That's so awesome! I pray you both work it out!' But there were some fans who seemed to be miffed with this post. One of the fans wrote, "Is this a joke?" Saina Nehwal's statement announcing separation from her husband Earlier, taking to her Instagram stories, Saina Nehwal announced her separation from her husband and wrote, 'Life takes us in different directions sometimes. After much thought and consideration, Kashyap Parupalli and I have decided to part ways. We're choosing peace, growth, and healing – for ourselves and each other.' The statement further read, 'I'm grateful for the memories and wish nothing but the best moving forward. Thank you for understanding and respecting our privacy during this time,' she added. These two tied the knot in 2018 and have been in a relationship for over a decade before getting married. Saina Nehwal-Parupalli Kashyap's love story Talking about their love story, Saina and Parupalli met when they were quite young and grew up together at the Pullela Gopichand academy in Hyderabad. While the wife became a household name and a global icon after her Olympic bronze and World No. 1 ranking, the husband became a big name in the Commonwealth Games after winning Gold and because of his consistent performances on the international stage.
News18
02-08-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
'Trying Again': Saina Nehwal and Parupalli Kashyap Reunite After Announcing Separation
Weeks after announcing her separation from husband Parupalli Kashyap, Olympic medallist Saina Nehwal has posted a picture with him, stating that they are 'trying again'.Saina shared a photo on Instagram with Kashyap, with a beautiful backdrop of the sea and Mobile App -
India Today
02-08-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
Saina Nehwal, Parupalli Kashyap 'trying again', weeks after announcing separation
Badminton players Saina Nehwal and Parupalli Kashyap have decided to give a second chance to their marriage, weeks after announcing their separation. Nehwal had announced her decision to part ways with long-time partner Parupalli Kashyap on July 13, through an Instagram the duo surprised their followers by sharing a photograph on their social media handles, revealing that their distance have made them realise the value of being together and are trying to save their distance teaches you the value of presence. Here we are—trying again,' wrote Nehwal on a post on her Instagram account, sharing a photo of them together. View this post on Instagram A post shared by SAINA NEHWAL (@nehwalsaina) Saina wrote a lengthy note on her Instagram stories in July, revealing that the couple had decided to part ways after much thought and deliberation."Life takes us in different directions sometimes. After much thought and consideration, Kashyap Parupalli and I have decided to part ways. We're choosing peace, growth, and healing for ourselves and each other. I'm grateful for the memories and wish nothing but the best moving forward. Thank you for understanding and respecting our privacy during this time," Saina Nehwal has written on her Instagram and Parupalli tied the knot in 2018 after being in a relationship for over a decade. The duo grew up together and rose through the ranks of Indian badminton at the Pullela Gopichand academy in Hyderabad. Saina became a global icon, winning an Olympic bronze medal and attaining the World No. 1 the other hand, Kashyap carved his own legacy by winning a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games 2014 and consistent performances on the international stage. The 38-year-old was the first Indian male player to reach the quarterfinals of the Olympic Games during the 2012 edition held in London. Parupalli also has a bronze medal from the 2010 Commonwealth Games in his medal tally. He was bestowed with the Arjuna Award by the Government of India in 2012.- EndsMust Watch
Economic Times
02-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Economic Times
Is Saina Nehwal back with Parupalli Kashyap? Olympic medallist shares big hint after announcing separation from husband
Synopsis Weeks after announcing their separation, Olympic medallist Saina Nehwal has shared a picture with husband Parupalli Kashyap, hinting at reconciliation. The couple, who married in 2018, had surprised fans with their separation announcement last month. Saina's recent Instagram post suggests they are working on their relationship, much to the delight of their fans and the sports community. Agencies Weeks after announcing her separation from husband Parupalli Kashyap, Olympic medallist shuttler Saina Nehwal has hinted at a possible reconciliation by posting a picture with him, saying they are "trying again." Taking to Instagram, Saina shared a photo of the two together, set against a picturesque backdrop of the sea and mountains."Sometimes distance teaches you the value of presence. Here we are—trying again," she wrote in the caption. View this post on Instagram A post shared by SAINA NEHWAL (@nehwalsaina) On July 13, Saina, in a surprising move, announced her separation from Kashyap. The couple, who have been together for over a decade, tied the knot in 2018. 'Life takes us in different directions sometimes,' Saina had written in her post last month. 'After much thought and consideration, Kashyap Parupalli and I have decided to part ways. We're choosing peace, growth, and healing – for ourselves and each other. I'm grateful for the memories and wish nothing but the best moving forward. Thank you for understanding and respecting our privacy during this time."Commenting on the post, fans welcomed the news and expressed their elation at the reunion of the separation announcement had taken the sports fraternity and fans by surprise, given the enduring bond between Saina Nehwal and Parupalli Kashyap—both on and off the court. As stalwarts of Indian badminton, the duo has long stood by each other, cheering on victories and sharing the spotlight at tournaments. Saina, a former world No. 1 and Olympic bronze medallist, has been a trailblazer for women in Indian sport. Kashyap, too, has had a commendable career, having represented India at the Olympics and Commonwealth Games. Now, with her latest Instagram post, the couple appears to hint at rekindling their relationship and moving forward together.
