Persisting wrist injury denies Aparana higher glory

Bangalore, Oct 22 (UNI) A persisting wrist injury on her playing right hand har higher glory, says ace shuttler Aparna Popat.

The Mumbai-born star has been suffering from a wrist injury for the last 18 months and is most likely to miss important events including Asian Satellite Championship scheduled for mid-November and Doha Asian Games in December.

She said, ''Though I won the national title for a record ninth year in February it came despite the injury and to my misfortune it has aggravated now. At present I am finding it difficult to even drive my car, let alone play badminton. It may be because my negligence, because I did not give much attention to it earlier.

Now doctor attending to it and it may take at least two months to heel'', she said.

Aparna, who first captured her first national title way back in 1998, had been the undisputed shuttle queen on the Indian horizon with no rival to match her skills as she won the title for nine years in a row.

About her future, the former champion, said that ''I am keeping my fingers crossed because of injury. Let us see when I will be completely fit. Moreover there is no big tournaments coming up shortly, since next Olympics is far away. There is no pressure on me''.

When asked whether number two shuttler in the country Saina Nehwal can fill her place in case of her (Aparna) retirement, Aparna said that ''she (Saina) had been playing well but what is needed is she has to make a mark in the international arena.

Everybody has a strong point. At present she (Saina) is doing well, I hope she will continue to do well''.

Replying to a question whether she would take up coaching after retirement, Arjuna Awardee strongly ruled out possibility of opting for Coaching after her retirement. ''I will never think of going for coaching''.

About chances of India in the Doha Asian Games, Aparna said that the only plus point is this time the number of players from each country has been limited to three. It depends on the draw.

China, Korea, Japan are the strong contenders. ''Ofcourse, India is also a strong contender. However, it depends on how our shuttlers perform in the court.'' UNI MSP RS PM HS1025