Two-time Olympian Aparna Popat hailed the Indian men’s badminton team’s triumph at the Thomas Cup last year as a ‘special moment for Indian sports.’ The victory was significant not only because they won against powerful teams such as Indonesia and Denmark, but also because it was a win in an individual sport. This rare accomplishment elevated the entire country when it mattered most. Popat, who is part of the jury for Sportstar Aces Awards, describes it as “punching above our weight.” The Olympic veteran believes that India had a great team with heaps of potential and famously lauded this victory as extremely special. Indeed, this victory gave everyone hope and optimism for the future of Indian sports.
Popat’s success in the Commonwealth Games is a testament to India’s progress in sports over the past few years. We have seen not only generation growth, with established stars maintaining their excellence, but also talented newcomers raking in medals and setting the bar higher. This kind of support and enthusiasm for sports makes it clear that even better times are just around the corner. This can be seen through the massive investment into sport initiatives and infrastructure, allowing more athletes to reach their potential and representing our country on an international level. It will be exciting to watch how Indian sports evolves over the next few years.
In the year that has just passed, Indian badminton has achieved some impressive results. Satwik Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty have been particularly successful, while Lakshya Sen has also emerged as a star of the future with his strong performance. That being said, it is in bigger events such as the Olympics and Asian Games where India is looking to cement their place as one of the leading forces in badminton. It is now expected that multiple medals will be secured rather than just the odd one, giving the entire community a sense of pride in what Indian badminton can achieve on an international stage.
Popat was frank in her assessment of the process leading up to the 2023 Sportstar Awards. According to Popat, due to the sheer variety of awards intended for different sports and categories, a great deal of deliberation and patience had to be dedicated to ensuring the awards were fair. In order for the jury meeting to be successful, everyone involved needed “complete facts” and a full understanding of each performance from “different angles.” Even though many hours were spent on discussions, it appears that all ended well with deserving winners receiving their acknowledgement.
On the 27th of February, the Sportstar Aces Awards will be held in Mumbai, a momentous event commemorating and awarding those who have made their mark in the world of sports. The event is powered by IDFC First Bank and boasts an eclectic mix of supporting partners such as Indian Oil, India Cements, United India, Ramaiah University, Experimenta Science Center GD Naidu Charity, Finolex Pipes, LIC, BPCL, Samsonite, Big Basket, Nippon Paint, CRICHQ and Casagrand. This star-studded ceremony promises to be an unforgettable night where every person in attendance will be witness to amazing feats of athletic prowess honored in grand fashion.
