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Indian Express
3 days ago
- Business
- 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.
Time of India
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Kate Middleton's sweet gesture ensures Prince Louis gets his powerful Wimbledon moment with Jannik Sinner
Kate Middleton's sweet gesture ensures Prince Louis gets his powerful Wimbledon moment with Jannik Sinner (Image Via X) On July 13, 2025, at the All England Club under the famously modern London sky, Jannik Sinner enjoyed his men's singles championship with a gift for the royal children. Jannik Sinner signed a few tennis balls for Prince George and Princess Charlotte after the match, but the royal mum, Kate Middleton, technically got involved in a cheeky way to remind him about Prince Louis who got left out. She ensured to ask for a tennis ball for the third child. This delightfully cute moment showed the kindness of the Princess of Wales and made sure Louis had his own special representation, even if he wasn't there. Jannik Sinner, Kate Middleton and Prince William make sure Prince Louis gets a signed ball Jannik Sinner, 23, had won his first Wimbledon title on Centre Court in London against Carlos Alcaraz, by a score of 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4. Moments later, on Sunday July 13, 2025, Jannik Sinner was royally reunited with the Royal Family after defeating two-time champion Carlos Alcaraz in the men's singles final. After they presented Jannik Sinner with the trophy, he reunited with Prince William, Kate Middleton, and their two oldest children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte. While the group spoke, Prince George, 11, and Princess Charlotte, 10, reached into their pockets and pulled out two tennis balls for Jannik Sinner to sign. Princess Kate Middleton smiled sweetly and said to Jannik Sinner, 'We brought one for their brother as well.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Prince William quickly added, 'Louis would be very upset otherwise,' which made everyone laugh. Though Prince Louis, 7, didn't attend the match, his parents made sure he wasn't left out. The royal children also took a moment to congratulate Jannik Sinner. George told him, 'Well played,' and Jannik Sinner kindly asked if they played tennis and what racquets they used. 'Yonex,' they replied in sync, to which Jannik Sinner smiled and said, 'That's nice.' It was a quiet but heartwarming moment that showed both the grace of the new Wimbledon champion and the warmth of the royal family. Also Read: Kate Middleton Gets Emotional As Wimbledon Crowd Stands Up To Cheer Her Return After Cancer Fight Prince George, Princess Charlotte and family share warm moments with the champion George and Charlotte congratulated Jannik Sinner. George told him, 'Well played.' Sinner replied by asking if they played tennis and what racquets they used. The siblings answered, 'Yonex,' which pleased him. Kate Middleton added that his win was 'seriously inspiring and impressive,' gesturing to her children. In the Royal Box that afternoon, Charlotte even helped fan Kate in the heat, showing their close bond. This was George's third Wimbledon (debut in 2022), Charlotte's second major final (debut in 2023), but Louis has not yet attended. For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
India.com
14-07-2025
- Business
- India.com
Saina Nehwal And Parupalli Kashyap Net Worth Combined: India's Richest Badminton Couple
photoDetails english 2931455 Saina Nehwal, one of India's most iconic badminton players, boasts a net worth of $5 million as of 2025. A former World No. 1, she made history as the first Indian woman to win an Olympic badminton medal with her bronze at the 2012 London Games. With 24 international titles, 10 BWF Superseries wins, and endorsements from Yonex and BPCL, Nehwal remains a dominant force in Indian sports. Married to fellow shuttler Parupalli Kashyap, the duo forms Indian badminton's power couple. Her career earnings, major achievements, and civil honors like the Padma Bhushan continue to inspire aspiring athletes across the country. Updated:Jul 14, 2025, 09:23 AM IST Saina Nehwal's Net Worth in 2025 Stands at $5 Million 1 / 20 As of 2025, Saina Nehwal's net worth is estimated at $5 million, driven by career earnings, prize money, and lucrative brand endorsements with Yonex, BPCL, and more. First Indian Woman to Win Olympic Badminton Medal 2 / 20 Saina made history at London 2012 by winning India's first Olympic medal in badminton, a bronze that forever changed the sport's landscape in the country. Massive Career Earnings with Peak Income of ₹16.54 Cr in 2018 3 / 20 Nehwal's 2018 earnings peaked at ₹16.54 crore, showing her dominance on and off the court through sponsorships and tournament winnings. 24 International Titles Including 10 BWF Superseries Wins 4 / 20 With 24 international badminton titles, including 10 BWF Superseries victories, Saina has built one of the most decorated careers in Indian sports history. World No. 1 Ranking in 2015—Only the Second Indian Ever 5 / 20 In 2015, Saina reached World No. 1 in women's singles, becoming the second Indian after Prakash Padukone to achieve this elite milestone. Married Fellow Badminton Star Parupalli Kashyap in 2018 6 / 20 Saina tied the knot with Parupalli Kashyap, a Commonwealth Games gold medalist, in a private ceremony. Their badminton bond makes them India's power couple. Career Beginnings Rooted in Family and Discipline 7 / 20 Saina's badminton journey began at age eight, inspired by her athlete parents and polished under coach Nani Prasad Rao at the Gopichand Academy. Major Endorsements Include Yonex, BPCL, and Herbalife 8 / 20 Nehwal's brand portfolio spans fitness, wellness, and sports—Yonex, BPCL, and Herbalife being top names she's collaborated with throughout her career. Over 680 Matches Played with 446 Career Wins 9 / 20 With 680+ matches and 446 victories, her impressive win ratio underlines her legacy as one of the world's fiercest badminton competitors. Civil Honours: Padma Bhushan, Khel Ratna, and Beyond 10 / 20 From the Padma Bhushan to the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, Saina's awards speak volumes about her influence on Indian sport and national pride. Saina Nehwal Announces Separation Via Instagram 11 / 20 In a heartfelt Instagram Story, Saina Nehwal confirmed her split from husband Parupalli Kashyap, emphasizing 'peace, growth, and healing' as the reasons behind their mutual decision. "We're Choosing Peace" – Viral Social Media Quote 12 / 20 The emotional quote 'We're choosing peace, growth, and healing' quickly trended across platforms, sparking a viral wave under #SainaNehwal and #ParupalliKashyap. End of a 6-Year Marriage 13 / 20 Saina and Kashyap, married since December 2018, ended their six-year-long marriage marked by shared dreams, national pride, and on-court chemistry. Saina and Kashyap Trained at Gopichand Academy 14 / 20 Their bond began at Hyderabad's Gopichand Badminton Academy, where their friendship, partnership, and eventually romance blossomed under one roof. Parupalli Kashyap Remains Silent 15 / 20 Unlike Saina, Kashyap has maintained complete silence post-announcement, sparking speculation and curiosity among fans and media. Saina Nehwal Battling Arthritis, Considering Retirement 16 / 20 Saina's chronic arthritis, revealed during a podcast, has raised concerns about her fitness and hinted at an imminent retirement from competitive play. Last Competitive Match Was in June 2023 17 / 20 Her early-round loss at the Singapore Open 2023 marked Saina's last official appearance, signaling a possible end to her illustrious career. Kashyap Now Focuses on Coaching Career 18 / 20 Kashyap transitioned to full-time coaching after retiring in early 2024, distancing himself from the spotlight and focusing on mentoring young shuttlers. Nehwal's Legacy in Indian Sports 19 / 20 Saina remains a legend in Indian badminton—Olympic bronze medalist, World No.1, and a trailblazer for women in Indian sports. Fans Express Support and Respect for Privacy 20 / 20 Supporters across social media have stood by the duo, applauding their honesty and urging the media to respect their personal space.
West Australian
09-07-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
Cruz Hewitt snaps at famous dad during Wimbledon boys' singles loss
Cruz Hewitt has snapped in frustration at his famous father during his second-round boys' singles defeat at Wimbledon . The 16-year-old son of Australian tennis legend Lleyton Hewitt was outclassed by Finland's No.11 seed Oskari Paldanius 6-3, 6-0 on Tuesday morning (AEST). Paldanius then capped his win by appearing to mock Cruz's dad's famous 'c'mon' celebration when the match was over, making the bitter pill of defeat even harder to swallow. Earlier, Cruz lost his temper at his father and support team when the match started slipping away. Lleyton was trying to coach his son from the sidelines when Cruz, in his frustration, accused him of 'acting for the cameras'. The teenager then snapped again when Lleyton offered another piece of advice. 'I tried that!' Cruz could be heard responding with. Trying to calm him down during the disastrous second set, Cruz's team tried to tell him 'everything is fine', to which he responded: 'It's not fine — it's nearly 4-0!' Hewitt had looked imperious in his first-round win over Russia's Savva Rybkin on Sunday, a performance which predictably drew comparisons to his father. 'Same backwards cap, same Yonex racket, same Nike heritage polo, same attitude. A carbon copy,' tennis commentator Bastien Fachan said. Another Aussie who has drawn comparisons to Lleyton Hewitt over his career is Alex de Minaur, who couldn't get past the colossal Novak Djokovic in the fourth round of the men's singles. It means the grasscourt season is over for him and his focus is moving to hardcourts, the US Open, and end-of-year ATP Finals. In particular the Australian No.1 knows he needs to pick up points to climb the rankings, without fixating on climbing the rankings, which he diagnosed as one of the causes of the burnout he felt after the French Open. De Minaur assessed his grass campaign 'as a tad disappointing', which is an understatement after a first round exit at Queen's and a fourth round loss to Djokovic at Wimbledon. He won three matches, lost two. Last year he won eight out of nine, winning the title at s'Hertogenbosch, which he declined to defend this year because he felt the need for a break after Roland Garros, and reaching the Wimbledon quarter-finals before being forced to quit through injury. Being drawn against seven-time winner Djokovic was unlucky, but only up to a point as his 11th-seeding left him vulnerable. 'I knew going into this tournament that there was a high chance I would be in a position like this,' he said. 'I didn't take care of business pre-Wimbledon to guarantee myself a top-eight seed and be somewhat protected until the quarters. I had to play Novak fourth round. 'It's not the best of draws,' he added ruefully. De Minaur reached the last eight in New York last year but did not play any warm-up events due to the hip injury suffered at Wimbledon, so hopes to climb the rankings. Post-Wimbledon he will be down to 12th in the world, 10th in the ATP 2025 standings, a place lower in both in the unlikely event of Flavio Cobolli winning the Wimbledon title. The top eight in the ATP rankings make November's Finals in Turin. 'The whole back end of the year I've got very little to defend,' he said. 'It's opportunity after opportunity for me. 'I'm hoping that the little bit of time off before (Wimbledon), a bit of time off after, I will put myself in a good position to finish the year strongly.' - With AAP
Perth Now
09-07-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
Cruz Hewitt snaps at famous dad in Wimbledon disaster
Cruz Hewitt has snapped in frustration at his famous father during his second-round boys' singles defeat at Wimbledon. The 16-year-old son of Australian tennis legend Lleyton Hewitt was outclassed by Finland's No.11 seed Oskari Paldanius 6-3, 6-0 on Tuesday morning (AEST). Paldanius then capped his win by appearing to mock Cruz's dad's famous 'c'mon' celebration when the match was over, making the bitter pill of defeat even harder to swallow. Earlier, Cruz lost his temper at his father and support team when the match started slipping away. Lleyton was trying to coach his son from the sidelines when Cruz, in his frustration, accused him of 'acting for the cameras'. The teenager then snapped again when Lleyton offered another piece of advice. 'I tried that!' Cruz could be heard responding with. Trying to calm him down during the disastrous second set, Cruz's team tried to tell him 'everything is fine', to which he responded: 'It's not fine — it's nearly 4-0!' Hewitt had looked imperious in his first-round win over Russia's Savva Rybkin on Sunday, a performance which predictably drew comparisons to his father. Cruz Hewitt couldn't overcome his Finnish opponent. Credit: Dan Istitene / Getty Images 'Same backwards cap, same Yonex racket, same Nike heritage polo, same attitude. A carbon copy,' tennis commentator Bastien Fachan said. Another Aussie who has drawn comparisons to Lleyton Hewitt over his career is Alex de Minaur, who couldn't get past the colossal Novak Djokovic in the fourth round of the men's singles. It means the grasscourt season is over for him and his focus is moving to hardcourts, the US Open, and end-of-year ATP Finals. In particular the Australian No.1 knows he needs to pick up points to climb the rankings, without fixating on climbing the rankings, which he diagnosed as one of the causes of the burnout he felt after the French Open. De Minaur assessed his grass campaign 'as a tad disappointing', which is an understatement after a first round exit at Queen's and a fourth round loss to Djokovic at Wimbledon. He won three matches, lost two. Last year he won eight out of nine, winning the title at s'Hertogenbosch, which he declined to defend this year because he felt the need for a break after Roland Garros, and reaching the Wimbledon quarter-finals before being forced to quit through injury. Being drawn against seven-time winner Djokovic was unlucky, but only up to a point as his 11th-seeding left him vulnerable. Alex de Minaur leaves Centre Court after his fourth round loss to Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon. Credit: AAP 'I knew going into this tournament that there was a high chance I would be in a position like this,' he said. 'I didn't take care of business pre-Wimbledon to guarantee myself a top-eight seed and be somewhat protected until the quarters. I had to play Novak fourth round. 'It's not the best of draws,' he added ruefully. De Minaur reached the last eight in New York last year but did not play any warm-up events due to the hip injury suffered at Wimbledon, so hopes to climb the rankings. Post-Wimbledon he will be down to 12th in the world, 10th in the ATP 2025 standings, a place lower in both in the unlikely event of Flavio Cobolli winning the Wimbledon title. The top eight in the ATP rankings make November's Finals in Turin. 'The whole back end of the year I've got very little to defend,' he said. 'It's opportunity after opportunity for me. 'I'm hoping that the little bit of time off before (Wimbledon), a bit of time off after, I will put myself in a good position to finish the year strongly.' - With AAP
