Shuttlers take big steps

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The badminton academy in the Regional Sports Centre in Kochi has added yet another feather to its cap. Shyam Prasad, a teenage prodigy, has become the seventh shuttler to have risen from the academy to play for the Indian team.

Shyam, a promising player from Ernakulam has been selected to the 18-member India under-17 team for the Asia Youth Championship to be held in Japan.

The 16-year-old will be playing the doubles category, partnering Shalok Ramachandran, a Kerala-origin player representing Maharashtra.

Shyam recently won his maiden title abroad and is hopeful of putting his best foot forward in the Championship.

“I am confident and will do my best. We (Shyam and Shalok) had a good season winning two national ranking tournament and finishing second in another so I hope we will be able to continue the good form,” said Shyam.

The duo are ranked 4th in the under-17 category in the country. But Shyam feels he is more of a singles player and is planning to dedicate his full attention in the category in a couple of years.

“I play singles at State level tournaments. This year, I was runner-up in the junior singles, losing to Arun George in the final,” said the plus-one student of St Jude’s HSS, Thammanam.

Shyam is now eagerly waiting to join the national camp that would be held at the BBD UP Badminton Academy in Uttar Pradesh from September 17 to October 1.

Meanwhile, there is more good news for the State as Ernakulam girl Aarthi Sara Sunil has been called to the India under-19 team for the World Junior Championship that will be held in Chinese Taipei in October.

The 17-year-old Aarthi, who will be competing in the doubles category — partnering Air India’s Saili Rane — is delighted about the opportunity to play in her first World Championship. Earlier this year, Aarthi had competed in the Asian Badminton Championship held in Lucknow, where the national team won a bronze medal. She had also competed in the sub-junior Asian Championship in Colombo a few years back.

“I know this is a big stage and the competition will be tough but I believe my performance as a player has improved a lot recently and that I will be able to give my best shot at the World Championship,” said Aarthi.

Both the shuttlers are coached by M.J. Mohanachandran, head coach of the academy. “Shyam is a talented youngster and I believe if he is dedicated in sport for a couple of years more, he can be a fine singles player,” said Mohanachandran.