Morten frost bats for feather shuttlecocks

Bangalore, Oct 14 (UNI) Four time All England Open badminton champion Morten Frost Hansen today favoured the use of feather shuttlecocks over plastic ones.

''There is a need to improve the quality of plastic shuttlecock before going ahead with the move to change the old feather shuttles.

Feather shuttles are still better,'' the legend told reporters here.

Opining that the game had changed a lot, Morten said ''Today, the game is not as difficult as it was. During our period, the matches were going on for hours and long rallies were seen. Player's stamina was put to test in every match. But now, a match does not last long duration.'' On the Indian badminton scenario, the twice European Open Champion said ''after (former All England Open Champion) Prakash Padukone left, there was a vacuum. But of late, young shuttlers from India are coming up and I want to see them play in many international matches.'' Reminiscing his playing days with Prakash during his stay in Denmark, he said ''I learnt many techniques from him and I have succeeded in beating him several times. But we were good friends off the court and were exchanging views on the game.'' After a 12-year stint, Morten had taken up coaching for the national teams of South Africa and Malaysia, besides his home country Denmark.

Prakash said Morten was the greatest badminton player with more consistency. ''Learning my secret of maintaining patience in the game, he has beaten me in several tournaments.'' Morten, who arrived here today with his wife and daughter, would be conducting Coaching Clinic for children, besides playing an exhibition match with Prakash and other international players.

Earlier, Morten and his family were given a traditional welcome.

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