Lucknow-based Khanna, 44, mortgaged his house for a R1 crore loan to build his outstanding academy for para shutters and is now deservedly credited for playing a part in India’s tally of two golds, one silver and one bronze at the recently-concluded games in Tokyo
India’s para badminton coach Gaurav Khanna (right) with gold medal-winner Krishna Nagar at the Tokyo Paralympics. Pic/Getty Images
It has all come to fruition for India’s Paralympic badminton coach Gaurav Khanna. Lucknow-based Khanna, 44, mortgaged his house for a R1 crore loan to build his outstanding academy for para shutters and is now deservedly credited for playing a part in India’s tally of two golds, one silver and one bronze at the recently-concluded games in Tokyo, all from a seven-member badminton squad.
Pramod Bhagat went down in Paralympic badminton history for becoming the first Indian to win a gold at this level when he beat Great Britain’s Daniel Bethell in the SL3 final.
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Krishna Nagar clinched gold in SH6 category while Suhas Yathiraj took home the silver medal when he lost the SL4 final to Lucas Mazur of France. Manoj Sarkar got the bronze medal for overcoming Japanese Daisuke Fujihara 22-20,21-13 in an exciting SL3 match.
Talented bunch
Khanna insisted he didn’t have too much to do with a talented lot. “They are good bunch of players, who don’t give up easily. They are experienced and highly motivated to do something for the country. I had just to guide them to the correct path,” he told mid-day.com last week.
He added: “It was clear in my mind that each of the seven players were a medal prospect. They had trained really hard with full focus and they were armed with enough experience. I am happy it all came together at the right time.”
Khanna reckoned India could have ended up with two more medals. “We lost by close margins—Palak Kohli and Pramod in mixed doubles and Tarun Dhillon in singles—but I was happy as this was a Teachers Day gift to me [September 5].
World-class academy
Speaking about his para academy, Khanna revealed: “It’s the only academy in the world. It was my dream to give players the best and most comprehensive facilities—sauna, jacuzzi, in-house physiotherapists, cooks, masseurs—the works. I have not left anything to chance. With everything under one roof, we don’t have to go out.”
Asked whether he has received any overseas offers to coach, Khanna replied: “Yes, but I will not leave the country. I love my India.” Support had been forthcoming, so has encouragement. “The government has been extremely helpful. We also have support from Olympic Gold Quest [OGQ], Target Olympic Podium Scheme [TOPS] as well as the Badminton Association of India [BAI].
“But overall, there has been huge motivation from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. I got a call from him at Tokyo. He expressed happiness at our result and told me to come to him if there are any problems. He called almost all players and wished them well.”
Also read: Happy Teachers' Day! Tokyo Paralympians Krishna Nagar, Suhas Yathiraj gift medals to coach
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