Eleven days from now, the nation will be gripped with cricket World Cup fever and the prospect of being neglected will loom high over all other sports
Eleven days from now, the nation will be gripped with cricket World Cup fever and the prospect of being neglected will loom high over all other sports.
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| Saina Nehwal (left) and Jwala Gutta were felicitated by 'Badminton 45' at the Bombay Gymkhana on Saturday. PIC/ SAYED SAMEER ABEDI |
But badminton stars Jwala Gutta and Saina Nehwal don't believe that will be the case, once the mega-event takes flight in the subcontinent on February 19.
"It's a very auspicious moment for us since a major event like the World Cup is taking place in India. But, I don't think it will affect other sports. As a sportsperson I'm happy if any sport is appreciated," Gutta told MiD DAY on the sidelines of a felicitation function organised by Badminton 45 at the Bombay Gymkhana on Saturday.
World No 5, Nehwal added: "We should accept the fact that since there is a cricket feast in India, World Cup and then IPL, people will be busy with cricket and even I will be watching matches on TV but once major tournaments in badminton begin, people will give us attention too."
Gutta spoke about her preparations for the 2012 London Olympics. "Ashwini (Ponnappa) and I have been playing well for a long time now. We got a lot of recognition after winning gold at the Commonwealth Games (CWG) in Delhi. We hope this form continues at the Olympics," said the doubles ace.
