A common bond

National coach Madhumita Bisht shares more than just playing skill with the latest entrant to the team, Saina Nehwal

National badminton team coach Madhumita Bisht pondered reflectively when asked about youngster Saina Nehwal. "Yes, it brings back memories," she said.

Madhumita had made her international debut at 13, having been drafted into the senior squad without even a stint at the junior level. Now here was another 13-year-old, Saina Nehwal, the youngest Indian to make it to the Uber Cup squad. Saina hadn't even started playing when Madhumita was close to retirement. Looking at the youngster, she dwelled back... almost 25 years of playing top-level badminton...

Her international debut came with the ABC Championship campaign of 1978, alongside idol Prakash Padukone. In that first tournament, she reached the semifinal, and has never been out of the National reckoning since then, except for injuries or recovery after giving birth.

A bronze at the '82 Asian Games, three title wins (singles, doubles and mixed doubles) at the French International, runner-up at the USSR International, bronze at the 1998 Commonwealth... were some of her big moments.

But as much as her performances, Madhumita will be remembered for her fitness despite the advancing years, and for outperforming players half her age. Occassionally, she had to dig deep into her resolve to stave off the criticism.

She had built up her reputation on being fit and fast, and it was a shock when she overheard people questioning her fitness when she and Sindu Gulati lost the doubles semifinal at the 1996 Baruch Nationals.

She remembers the date very well: 12 January 1996 . That was the day she heard people commenting that she was "too fat" to play top level badminton. This was barely one year after she had given birth.

"I told Vikram (husband and former champion) I want to win the next Nationals, whatever happens. And I have to become thin."

She had to train extra hard, and she silenced her critics within the next year, with a win at the All India selection tournament for the Sudirman Cup, beating Neelima Choudhary in the semifinal and PVV Laxmi in the final. Next came the Team Championship title at the SAARC Games, where she won the women's doubles and lost the final in the singles and mixed doubles.

Since then, right up to the World Championships in 2000, no one has questioned her ability or fitness to compete.

But despite possessing such resolve to defy the advancing years in a highly physical sport, Madhumita doesn't give herself as much credit as she deserves. She doesn't believe age is an enemy, or that a sportsperson's body can withstand the punishment she gives it. She just credits her stamina and endurance to her natural ability to work hard. "I'm a very determined person," she says. "I think nothing is impossible. I stick to my schedule irrespective of whatever happens."

She dismisses the idea of a biological clock ticking away. "Look at Martina (Navratilova), Carl Lewis, Merlene Ottey. I never used to feel I was growing old."

Having played under several coaches, she is now in their shoes, as a coach of the Uber Cup team. Having been a player gives her an insight into the players' psyche.

"I know what they feel -- what their mental level is. When they are low, you can bring their morale up. Some players may pretend to have pains and aches... you need to push them."

Looking at Saina again, she said: "She's a good prospect, hardworking, focussed, 'into' badminton."

With an international title already under her belt (the Junior Czechoslavakian Open, November 2003), and creditable performance at the National level (she lost to Aparna Popat in the semifinals of the Nationals), Saina looks set to prove her predecessor right.

Madhumita Bisht

Factfile:
8 National singles titles
12 Team Championship titles
12 National Women's Doubles titles
12 National Mixed Doubles titles
1 Sub Junior National singles title

International
World No.29 (singles)
1978 ABC Championship semifinal
1982 Asian Games bronze
1986 USSR International runner-up
1989 French International singles, doubles, mixed doubles title
1998 Commonwealth Championship bronze
1988 Seoul Olympics mixed doubles 5th place