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Paris [France], August 1 (ANI): India's <keyword id="3992621" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="badminton-legend" source="Orion">badminton legend</keyword>, <keyword id="20626607" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Prakash-Padukone" source="keywords">Prakash Padukone</keyword>, believes the star duo <keyword id="3808496" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Satwiksairaj-Rankireddy" source="Orion">Satwiksairaj Rankireddy</keyword> and <keyword id="749483" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Chirag-Shetty" source="Orion">Chirag Shetty</keyword> have a chance of returning with an Olympic gold. The world number three ranked duo punched their ticket for the quarter-finals of <keyword id="450124" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="badminton-doubles" source="Orion">badminton doubles</keyword> with a straight-game win over Indonesia's Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Rian Ardianto. Satwik and Chirag have roared and soared high in the world of <keyword id="20012442" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="badminton" source="keywords">badminton</keyword> as a pair. They have toppled numerous records and lifted various titles before landing in Paris. They looked flawless in their technique and style throughout the group stage. In their quest for a medal in the men's doubles event, Malaysia's Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik stand in their way. Ahead of the highly anticipated fixture, Prakash backed the duo to go all the way to the final on the back of their impressive outings. "As they are playing, there is a chance. There are definitely chances of winning the medal. But you can't say it with surety. They have come to the quarter-finals. The way they are playing, they have good chances of winning," Prakash told ANI. In the men's singles event, Lakshya Sen and HS Prannoy are set to square off against each other. In a clash of young, brimming talent against experienced shuttlers, both India stars will compete for a spot in the quarter-finals. Lakshya ousted world number three shuttler, Jonatan Christie. While Prannoy overcame a challenge from Vietnam's Le Duc Phat to top his group. As the two Indian stars prepare to fight for a spot in the next round, Prakash believes that the best player will go ahead in the event and said, "He (Lakshya) is playing so well. It was a good match with Christie. It was a crucial match. He won in the straight game. He is playing well. He will play against Prannoy tomorrow. Both Indians have a match in the pre-quarter-finals. There is a knockout from now on. We will have to wait and see. The best player will go ahead." Another shuttler who has eyes on a medal is two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu. Prakash, who is serving as the mentor of Sindhu, believes the real competition for her will begin against China's He Bingjiao in the Round of 16. "The group stage was easy. There were no tough matches. But there will be a knockout in the pre-quarter-final against a Chinese player, He Bingjiao. The real competition will start tomorrow," he added.

India badminton legend Prakash Padukone believes Satwik-Chirag have a chance to win gold at the Paris Olympics

Two-time Olympic medallist Indian <keyword id="20626605" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="shuttler" source="keywords">shuttler</keyword> <keyword id="20114899" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="PV-Sindhu" source="keywords">PV Sindhu</keyword> began her <keyword id="4833237" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="paris-olympics" source="Orion">Paris Olympics</keyword> campaign with a resounding straight games win over Maldives' <keyword id="22577064" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Fathimath-Abdul-Razzaq" source="keywords">Fathimath Abdul Razzaq</keyword> in the <keyword id="20931243" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="womens-singles" source="keywords">women's singles</keyword> group stage match, here on Sunday. The gulf of class between the two players was evident as Sindhu, who is vying for a third Olympic medal, took just 29 minutes to dispatch her lower-ranked opponent 21-9 21-6 in the Group M fixture. "It was a good start, I am happy. I was able to get used to the court and the atmosphere. It has been a long time, coming back after three years, it's a very special one. 2016 (<keyword id="19933819" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Olympics" source="keywords">Olympics</keyword>) was different and 2020 (2021) was completely different. It is a sort of mixture of both," said Sindhu about her Olympic journey. "I am enjoying and looking to the second match." After a couple of unforced errors, Sindhu was quick to assess the condition and took control of the proceedings, racing to a 11-4 lead. The world No 111 Fathimath was no match against the former world champion who finished the first game in a mere 13 minutes. The second game followed a similar manner with Sindhu claiming the first four points in the blink of an eye to take an early lead. However, Razzaq capitalised on Sindhu's error to bridge the gap to make it 3-4. But it became a one-sided contest once again as the Indian increased the gap to 10-3. In the end, Sindhu had as many as 14 match points but the world No 13 needed only one to seal the tie. The 10th seeded Indian, who won the silver medal in the Rio Games in 2016 and a bronze in the last edition in Tokyo, will take on World No 75 <keyword id="22388886" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Kristin-Kuuba" source="keywords">Kristin Kuuba</keyword> of Estonia in her second group match on Wednesday. Sindhu has been mentored by the legendary <keyword id="20626607" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Prakash-Padukone" source="keywords">Prakash Padukone</keyword> in the past few months, and she said the association has been beneficial to her. "I have been with Prakash sir for more than six months now and it's going on very well. Everything is coming together. We have to know each other very well to work together," she said. "Prakash sir is a legend, he is very experienced and he will come and tell me what is required, what I need to change." Asked about the aspects of her game which has improved since she started working with Padukone, she said, "Overall, it has not changed the way I feel but there have been add-ons. "When after I got injured It was getting difficult to move well on court and it was at times getting hard to get the momentum back. We worked on that, we worked on strokes, not just on net and defence but on overall game. You need to be at your 100 per cent in every big tournament or on every stroke." She said mental strength is very important for players, especially during a big event like the Olympics. "It is very important to be mentally strong. You at times don't know what is happening, everything gone from you. we worked on the mental things also. I tried to be positive, keep myself calm and do yoga."

Paris Olympics: PV Sindhu opens campaign with dominant win over Fathimath Abdul Razzaq

Badminton is a game which requires a lot of foot movement and this is why it is essential to invest in a good pair of shoes to handle all sorts of pressure and angles while playing. Men’s badminton shoes segment is vast and can be quite a hassle when making a choice of which pair to go for. Shoes for such an active sport must fulfil certain aspects. Badminton shoes must be comfortable, light in weight, advanced in technology and design and the material should also be sturdy but at the same breathable for the skin. Here’s putting down a few amazing pairs of badminton shoe recommendations for you, which can help you enjoy and improve your performance in the court and otherwise. <bulletContentEmbed name="B088Y7MXN4" columns="1"><bulletContentHeading name="B088Y7MXN4_head"> <div type="image" title="Recommended" msid="78389441" hostid="261"></div></columnHeadThumb>B088Y7MXN4</columnHeadTitle></columnHead></bulletContentHeading><bulleteContentBody name="B088Y7MXN4_body"><bulletContentRow name="B088Y7MXN4_9457410865971871"><bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowHead col="1">ASICS Men's Upcourt 4 Indoor Court Shoes</bulletContentRowHead></bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowBody><bulletContentRowCell col="1">This brilliant pair of in-court shoes for men comes in round toe design, lace-up closure and synthetic leather look. A worthy purchase for badminton enthusiasts, these <keyword id="10023688" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="comfortable-badminton-shoes">comfortable badminton shoes</keyword> in black, red and white combination have a regular shoe width.</bulletContentRowCell></bulletContentRowBody></bulletContentRow><bulletContentRow name="B088Y7MXN4_9865163113888161"><bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowHead col="1"></bulletContentRowHead></bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowBody><bulletContentRowCell col="1">Round Toe Style</bulletContentRowCell></bulletContentRowBody></bulletContentRow></bulleteContentBody></bulletContentEmbed> <bulletContentEmbed name="B018NVFAOS" columns="1"><bulletContentHeading name="B018NVFAOS_head"> <div type="image" title="Popular" msid="78400513" hostid="261"></div></columnHeadThumb>B018NVFAOS</columnHeadTitle></columnHead></bulletContentHeading><bulleteContentBody name="B018NVFAOS_body"><bulletContentRow name="B018NVFAOS_3390012680450274"><bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowHead col="1">Nivia Aster Badminton Flash Shoes, Men's</bulletContentRowHead></bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowBody><bulletContentRowCell col="1">This product is a good option for anyone looking for something other than the typical black, blue, grey shades in badminton shoes. The bright yellow aster blue colours in this stunning pair help the shoes stand out from the crowd. Made from mesh and PVC synthetic leather materials plus the rubber soles and solid striped prints give an attractive look to the shoes.</bulletContentRowCell></bulletContentRowBody></bulletContentRow><bulletContentRow name="B018NVFAOS_5117882614988069"><bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowHead col="1"></bulletContentRowHead></bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowBody><bulletContentRowCell col="1">Mesh &amp; PVC Faux Leather Make</bulletContentRowCell></bulletContentRowBody></bulletContentRow></bulleteContentBody></bulletContentEmbed> <bulletContentEmbed name="B072NZ7RZP" columns="1"><bulletContentHeading name="B072NZ7RZP_head"><div type="image" title="Top pick" msid="81186381" hostid="261"></div></columnHeadThumb>B072NZ7RZP</columnHeadTitle></columnHead></bulletContentHeading><bulleteContentBody name="B072NZ7RZP_body"><bulletContentRow name="B072NZ7RZP_8417905714654872"><bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowHead col="1">Nivia Men's Appeal Badminton Shoes</bulletContentRowHead></bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowBody><bulletContentRowCell col="1">This pair of badminton shoes from Nivia is a great pair. It has some amazing features like high stability and ground traction technique. It also has an air circulation feature to provide air and absorb sweat. These shoes are available in two colour variants and look extremely stylish. Now you can play in style with these shoes.</bulletContentRowCell></bulletContentRowBody></bulletContentRow><bulletContentRow name="B072NZ7RZP_8348005241215236"><bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowHead col="1"></bulletContentRowHead></bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowBody><bulletContentRowCell col="1">Highly durable badminton shoes.</bulletContentRowCell></bulletContentRowBody></bulletContentRow></bulleteContentBody></bulletContentEmbed> <bulletContentEmbed name="B084SBFTB8" columns="1"><bulletContentHeading name="B084SBFTB8_head"><div type="image" title="Editor&amp;#39;s Pick" msid="81186563" hostid="261"></div></columnHeadThumb>B084SBFTB8</columnHeadTitle></columnHead></bulletContentHeading><bulleteContentBody name="B084SBFTB8_body"><bulletContentRow name="B084SBFTB8_3751154903788578"><bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowHead col="1">Yonex LEGEND KING 68 Unisex Badminton Shoes | Ideal for Badminton,Squash,Table Tennis,Volleyball | Non-marking sole | TRU Cushion | TRU Shape</bulletContentRowHead></bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowBody><bulletContentRowCell col="1">This pair of badminton shoes from Yonex is a premium quality product. Great on stability and shock absorption, this pair of shoes is very comfortable, stylish and reliable while playing the sport. It has great cushioning for a better and comfortable experience and has many great features you'll love.</bulletContentRowCell></bulletContentRowBody></bulletContentRow><bulletContentRow name="B084SBFTB8_8685650431369847"><bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowHead col="1"></bulletContentRowHead></bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowBody><bulletContentRowCell col="1">Available in a variety of colours to choose from.</bulletContentRowCell></bulletContentRowBody></bulletContentRow></bulleteContentBody></bulletContentEmbed> <bulletContentEmbed name="B08825C7K2" columns="1"><bulletContentHeading name="B08825C7K2_head"><div type="image" title="Must Have" msid="81186962" hostid="261"></div></columnHeadThumb>B08825C7K2</columnHeadTitle></columnHead></bulletContentHeading><bulleteContentBody name="B08825C7K2_body"><bulletContentRow name="B08825C7K2_5589828433729905"><bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowHead col="1">Puma Mens Auriz Men's Indoor Cmeva Sports Shoes Badminton Shoe</bulletContentRowHead></bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowBody><bulletContentRowCell col="1">Puma being a trusted brand has managed to never disappoint us. This is a beautiful pair of badminton shoes from Puma. These shoes have an appealing design and are really stylish. The shoes have a comfortable rubber sole for good grip and stability and comes with white speed laces. The upper material is made up of high quality synthetic. It provides support for the torsional movement.</bulletContentRowCell></bulletContentRowBody></bulletContentRow><bulletContentRow name="B08825C7K2_4376571937101298"><bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowHead col="1"></bulletContentRowHead></bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowBody><bulletContentRowCell col="1">Available in two more colour options.</bulletContentRowCell></bulletContentRowBody></bulletContentRow></bulleteContentBody></bulletContentEmbed>

The ultimate badminton shoes for men

<keyword id="20981018" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="pickleball" source="keywords">Pickleball</keyword>, once a niche <keyword id="20413546" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sport" source="keywords">sport</keyword> abroad, is now quickly capturing attention across urban centres in India, where it’s seen as a fresh alternative to traditional sports. From Bollywood stars to sports icons, this fun and fast-paced game is attracting enthusiasts from diverse backgrounds. But…what is it and where did it come from? If you’ve been seeing people playing what looks like tennis but with a racket that looks more like a fly swatter and have been absolutely dumbfounded by it, you’re in the right place. A combination of tennis, badminton and ping-pong, pickleball paddle uses a paddle and plastic ball with holes. This hybrid sport is played on a smaller court with paddles and a perforated plastic ball. Since its inception in the 1960s, pickleball has transformed from a backyard game to a full-fledged competitive sport, attracting players of all ages and skill levels! <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="104593593" title="&amp;#39;The Golden Bachelor&amp;#39; Gerry Turner loves pickleball. A doctor shares tips to avoid injuries while playing." mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div> <h2>The rise of <keyword id="20642016" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="pickleball-in-India" source="Orion">pickleball in India</keyword> </h2>Introduced to India in 2007 by Sunil Valavalkar, pickleball started modestly but has grown significantly in the past decade, thanks in large part to the efforts of the <keyword id="21600609" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="All-India-Pickleball-Association" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="All India Pickleball Association" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="All India Pickleball Association">All India Pickleball Association</keyword> (AIPA). The sport is currently played across 23 states and boasts a player base of over 10,000. The game’s expansion is fueled by initiatives such as national tournaments, coaching clinics, and collaborations with international pickleball organisations. India's sports minister, Anurag Thakur, has also been instrumental in promoting pickleball, adding a layer of governmental support that is critical for its mainstream acceptance. The sport’s potential to foster inclusivity, given its appeal across age groups and genders, makes it particularly attractive in India. With new dedicated courts being built across cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, and prestigious clubs now offering pickleball, the sport is on the path to becoming a staple recreational activity in urban India. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="105704740" title="A pickleball star offers tips for improving your game. The 22-year-old pro athlete says the sport isn&amp;#39;t just for old people." mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div> <h2>Simplicity and accessibility </h2>One of the main reasons pickleball is catching on in India is its simplicity. The sport is easy to learn, requiring just a small court, paddles, and a perforated plastic ball. This makes it particularly attractive in crowded urban areas like Mumbai and Bengaluru, where space is often limited. Unlike tennis or badminton, which may need specialised courts and equipment, pickleball can be played in community parks or even modified badminton courts, making it an accessible choice for all. <h2>Celebrity endorsements</h2>The growing popularity of pickleball in India has been boosted by celebrity endorsements. One of the sport’s notable supporters is popular actress <keyword id="19995770" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Samantha-Ruth-Prabhu" source="keywords">Samantha Ruth Prabhu</keyword>. Known for her successful career in the South Indian film industry, Samantha recently became the owner of Team Chennai in the <keyword id="21590997" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="World-Pickleball-League" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="World Pickleball League" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="World Pickleball League">World Pickleball League</keyword>, and she shared a heartfelt post about what this opportunity means to her. Globally, <keyword id="19957993" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Novak-Djokovic" source="keywords">Novak Djokovic</keyword>, the tennis legend, has also been linked to pickleball. While Djokovic is known for his dominance on the tennis court, the Olympics gold medalist is all set to be seen on the pickleball court in a first! <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="104833435" title="Matthew Perry spent his final hours playing in a pickleball match before he was found dead at his LA home: coach" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div> <h2>Health benefits and community building </h2>Pickleball offers numerous health benefits, especially as a low-impact sport. It appeals to people looking for a fun, accessible way to stay active without the intense physical demands of sports like tennis or squash. Additionally, the sport’s emphasis on doubles play fosters a strong sense of community and social engagement, which resonates with Indian culture’s collective approach to recreation. In India, even national-level tournaments are becoming more common, drawing participants from various age groups and demographics. As the sport continues to grow, it is clear that pickleball has found its place in India’s evolving sports culture. With more people picking up paddles and entering courts, the future of pickleball in India looks bright, and its rise shows no signs of slowing down. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="109666082" title="How a stay-at-home dad turned his passion for pickleball into &amp;#39;a game changer&amp;#39; side hustle" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>

What is pickleball — the new-ish sport trending among celebrities like Samantha Ruth Prabhu and Novak Djokovic?

From the time Sir Dorabji <keyword id="19904884" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="tata" source="keywords">Tata</keyword> sponsored a handful of Indian athletes to the 1920 Antwerp Olympics, Tata group has been a constant in India's sporting landscape and the conglomerate's involvement only grew under <keyword id="19981455" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="ratan-tata" source="keywords">Ratan Tata</keyword>, who considered sport a "way of life". The chairman emeritus of Tata Sons died here at the age of 86 on Wednesday after being admitted to a hospital on Monday for "age and related medical conditions". His death triggered an avalanche of tributes from eminent personalities from all walks of life and sports was no different. From being the title sponsor of the glitzy Indian Premier League of cricket to supporting lesser-followed sports like archery to owning a football team in the Indian Super League to sponsoring a high-profile chess tournament, the Tata group has been deeply involved with the country's sporting ecosystem. Most of this involvement grew during Ratan Tata's tenure. "He always believed in 'sports is the way of life' and we are happy to carry forward the legacy. We have been the torchbearer of sports with 19 sporting verticals from football, hockey, archery to horse riding, boxing, karate, racket sports. You name it, we have it," an official involved with the JRD Tata Sports Academy, which was inaugurated in 1991 in Jamshedpur, told PTI. The growth in Tata Group's sporting involvement under Ratan Tata was the continuation of a legacy. After all, Sir Dorabji Tata, who played cricket, tennis and football, was the first President of the Indian Olympic Association (1924). This was after he had financed the Olympic appearance of four track-and-field athletes and two wrestlers at the Antwerp Games, helping organise their trials in Pune as well. Tata Steel Chess, which is also called the 'Wimbledon of chess', is a marquee event on global chess calendar, held at <keyword id="20385206" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="wijk-aan-zee" source="keywords">Wijk Aan Zee</keyword>, the Netherlands. It wasn't always known that. It was Corus Chess Tournament for the longest time before Tata Steel took over the title sponsor company, thereby claiming the rights of this event from 2007 onwards. Five-time world champion and Indian chess legend <keyword id="20221790" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="viswanathan-anand" source="keywords">Viswanathan Anand</keyword> was among the first sports icons to pay tributes to the late industrialist, saying that he "touched all our lives". "It is with profound sadness that we bid farewell to a giant of industry and philanthropy. We received our Padma Vibhushan together, and I was truly touched by his humility and genteel nature," Anand wrote on X. "The chess fraternity owes much to the traditions that are so closely associated with the Tata Group. @tatasteelchess in Holland is an event that made us chess players particularly proud, especially when the Tatas took over Corus, and later starting a new tradition with @tschessindia," he added. "The chess world and I offer our deepest condolences to @RNTata2000, a human being who touched all our lives and always stood for the good of society. Rest in peace," Anand continued. Tata Foootball Academy started back in 1987 under <keyword id="23494114" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="russi-mody" source="keywords">Russi Mody</keyword>, the then chairman of Tata Steel, who had the backing of Ratan Tata for the project. The academy has been supplying national level footballers since early '90s with its some of its noted alumni being current All India Football Federation head and former goalkeeper Kalyan Chaubey, Rennedy Singh, Dipendu Biswas and Kiran Khongsai. "TFA has played a pioneering role in Indian football by focusing on nurturing young talent and contributing significantly to the development of football in the country," the official associated with JRD sports complex said. "He (Ratan Tata) was there at the launch of Jamshedpur FC in the ISL in 2017. he interacted with the players and coaches, took photos with them. They also presented him with a signed jersey. He was very happy to see the team coming up and playing in the top tier ISL," he recalled. The enigmatic businessman was there to launch the hockey academy in Jamshedpur in 2019. "...perhaps for the last time he was here," the official said. Hockey India said Ratan Tata will be remembered as a "shining gem". "Your vision and endless contribution to our nation will never be forgotten. Your legacy will forever live with us till eternity. Hockey India pays tribute to one of Modern India's Pioneers - Ratan Naval Tata," it added. The legendary <keyword id="19919207" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sachin-tendulkar" source="keywords">Sachin Tendulkar</keyword> said Ratan Tata's legacy will continue through his foundations. "In his life, and demise, Mr Ratan Tata has moved the nation. I was fortunate to spend time with him, but millions, who have never met him, feel the same grief that I feel today. Such is his impact," <keyword id="20012835" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="tendulkar" source="keywords">Tendulkar</keyword> wrote. The Tata Archery Academy in Jamshedpur has been the training ground for ace Indian archers Deepika Kumari and Atanu Das for several years. Given Tata Group's involvement in India's Olympic movement, it was hardly a surprise to see an outpouring of tributes from some of country's top athletes. "I'm very sorry to hear about the passing of Shri Ratan Tata ji. He was a visionary, and I'll never forget the conversation I had with him. He inspired this entire nation. I pray that his loved ones find strength. Om Shanti," posted India's track-and-field Olympic gold-winner, Neeraj Chopra. India's first-ever Olympics medal winner in badminton, <keyword id="20204318" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="saina-nehwal" source="keywords">Saina Nehwal</keyword> described him as a great man. "Ratan Tata sir aapki legacy hamesha humare saath rahegi. RIP (sic). (A great man and true visionary. Tata sir your legacy will always remain with us," she said. One of India's greatest spin bowlers and former captain Anil Kumble said, "Mr. Ratan Tata's contribution extends far beyond business. His legacy of giving back to society will continue to inspire future generations. Rest in peace." "An institution who embodied Excellence, Vision and Humility. A Philanthropist par excellence. A massive loss to society. Condolences to the entire Tata family. God bless his soul #RatanTata," wrote former India player and coach <keyword id="19958622" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ravi-shastri" source="keywords">Ravi Shastri</keyword>.

The Tata effect on Indian sports: Ratan Tata's demise mourned by India stalwarts

Star couturier <keyword id="19970644" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="tarun-tahiliani" source="keywords">Tarun Tahiliani</keyword> is in the eye of the proverbial storm over his <keyword id="21239939" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="designs" source="keywords">designs</keyword> for the <keyword id="20287873" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-contingent" source="keywords">Indian contingent</keyword> at the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympic Games with epithets such as "pathetic" and "mediocre" being used to describe his creations. As the <keyword id="21679717" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="uniforms" source="keywords">uniforms</keyword> became a talking point on social media platforms and elsewhere too, several people also criticised the designs for becoming a promotion for <keyword id="22604764" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Tasva" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Tasva" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Tasva">Tasva</keyword>, the collaborative label of <keyword id="22604763" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Tahiliani" source="keywords">Tahiliani</keyword> and the <keyword id="19907441" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Aditya-Birla-Group" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Aditya Birla Group" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Aditya Birla Group">Aditya Birla Group</keyword>. The men's attire, the classic kurta bundi silhouette, had panel detailing in the colours of the national flag, safari pockets, and rolled-up sleeves. The women's saris featured a pre-pleated design for convenience and ease of wear. Their borders featured the panelling in tricolour. They completed the look in gold brocade sneakers. What has not gone down well for some is the way brand logo has been incorporated prominently in the borders of the garments, the fabric used and the fits. Tahiliani's team said he was unavailable for comment when PTI reached out for a response. However, he defended himself in an interview with NDTV when he said he stood by his work and said the opening ceremony was not a couture show. "We wanted the team in the colours of the tricolour as most countries follow their flag and that was visible from afar. It would have been very easy for me to send them in zardozi vests. But it's not appropriate," Tahiliani said. He added that he and his team had only three weeks to prepare the costumes. "I can't weave handloom for 300 uniforms in that time. The shoes were brocade, brocade from Benares," he told NDTV. Tahiliani also slammed "armchair critics" who accused him of charging a heavy sum for crafting these designs. "This was paid for by Tasva. It was not done for a fee, it was done to support our athletes. Asking what I was paid for it just shows their mentality," he added. Among those criticising the designer, who made headlines of another sort entirely when he dressed American reality star Kim Kardashian for the Anant Ambani-Radhika Merchant wedding, was former badminton star Jwala Gutta. "The garments which was made for the Indian contingent participating in <keyword id="19933819" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Olympics" source="keywords">Olympics</keyword> this time has been a huge disappointment!! (Especially when the designer was announced I had huge expectations) (sic)" she wrote, without mentioning Tahiliani's name. Gutta argued that not all women know how to wear a sari and that's why the designer should have crafted "pre draped" saris, which are a current trend. "The girls looked uncomfortable the blouse was of bad fit!! And second the colour and the print was so opposite of beautiful Indian!!! There was an opportunity for the designer to display the art of our culture through embroidery or hand paint!! "It was a work of absolute mediocrity and looked shabby!!! I really hope the sports family stops compromising on quality for our sportspersons looks on court and off court!!!! (sic)" Gutta wrote, posting photographs of herself from the 2016 Rio Olympics with fellow badminton players PV Sindhu, Ashwini Ponnappa and tennis star Rohan Bopanna. A user reshared her post and wrote: "Hello Tarun Tahiliani! I have seen better Sarees sold in Mumbai streets for Rs.200 than these ceremonial uniforms you've 'designed'. Cheap polyester like fabric, Ikat PRINT (!!!), tricolors thrown together with no imagination. Did you outsource it to an intern or come up with it in the last 3 minutes before the deadline? Such a disgrace to the rich weaving culture and history of India." There were others who were not too convinced either. Another user said designers for the Mongolia and Sri Lanka contingents did a better job dressing their teams. Others shared videos of the designs as reimagined by AI and wrote Tahiliani's design can be "easily replaced" by technology. One user said the kurtas were "creased", the blouse "poor fitting" and the sari was "not even white". "I don't know what Tarun Tahiliani was thinking while scribbling these pathetic uniforms, did our champions really bad. The women's saree look like 'before' shot in an Ujala Ad. While menswear, it's just looks a bit ..ringard if I may say in spirit of Paris! (sic)" commented another. According to Ashish Mukul, brand head, Tasva, the ceremonial attire for Team India is "crafted with a profound sense of national pride and an aim to balance tradition with modernity". In a statement, Mukul said the garments draw inspiration from the Indian flag, "symbolizing unity, and pride, which is one of the richest ways of representing India". He said the contemporary silhouettes, such as the Bundi jacket and pre-pleated sari, were carefully chosen to ensure "both comfort and functionality" for the athletes. "The fabrics, including cotton and viscose crepe, are selected for their practical and aesthetic qualities, as our athletes would be out in the open for almost 6 hours during the event. The use of Ikat-inspired prints and modern elements is a deliberate choice to reflect modern India. Our intention is to create an attire that represents India's rich heritage and ensure our athletes feel comfortable and confident," he added. Two-time Olympic medallist Sindhu, who was one of the flag bearers of the Indian contingent along with table tennis legend A Sharath Kamal, had posted a series of pictures on X ahead of Friday's ceremony. "Paris 2024, flag bearer-one of the greatest honors of my life to hold our country's flag in front of millions," she wrote.

Tarun Tahiliani at centre of controversy over "mediocre" designs for Indian contingent at Olympics

<keyword id="232713" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="hangzhou" source="Orion">Hangzhou</keyword> (China), <keyword id="3658" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="india" source="Orion">India</keyword>'s campaign for excellence in the Paris <keyword id="6450929" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="olympic-games" source="Orion">Olympic Games</keyword> next year faces some crucial tests starting from Saturday when the 19th <keyword id="84384" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="asian-games" source="Orion">Asian Games</keyword> officially kick off in Hangzhou, China. India has set itself an ambitious target of achieving medals in double digits for the first time in the Paris Olympic Games in 2024 and the 19th Asian Games not only present an opportunity to assess the preparation of its athletes but also provide Olympic qualification quotas in some sports. Postponed by a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic that swept across China last year, the 2022 Asian Games are being conducted within the qualifying period for Olympic Games in all sports and thus provide opportunities for sportspersons to book their berths to France. Indian sportspersons in many sports including men's and women's hockey, table tennis and boxing will get a chance to qualify for the Olympics at Hangzhou. With the Central Government pumping in huge sums to fulfil its dream of Olympic excellence, India is expecting to achieve its best-ever medal haul in the Asian Games at Hangzhou. India's previous best medal haul in the Continental Jamboree has been the 70 medals bagged in Indonesia four years back in 2018. Its campaign spearheaded by the likes of Olympic and World Championship gold medallist javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra, two-time World Champion boxer Nikhat Zareen, Olympic bronze medallist boxer Lovlina Borgohain, men's doubles tennis legend <keyword id="12295" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="rohan-bopanna" source="Orion">Rohan Bopanna</keyword>, chess champs Koneru Humpy, D Gukesh, R Praggnanandhaa, two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu in badminton and table tennis legend Achanta Sharath Kamal, India go into the Hangzhou Asian Games in bullish mood, hoping to challenge the Asian superpowers China, Japan, South Korea and Iran and finish fifth or above. Besides hoping to win its first gold medal since 2014, the Indian men's hockey team will be hoping to clinch a direct berth in the Paris Olympics by winning the gold medal in Hangzhou. The women's hockey team led by goalkeeper Savita Punia has landed in China to not only clinch its berth for Paris 2024 but also bag its first gold medal in the Asian Games since 1982 when women's hockey made its debut in the continental extravaganza. The women's hockey team led by Rajbir Kaur won the title at home in New Delhi and since then India have claimed silver medal twice -- in 1998 and 2018 -- and bronze medal thrice -- in 1986, 2006 and 2014. The team has finished fourth on four occasions. Overall India have won 671 medals in the 19 editions of the Asian Games so far -- 155 gold, 200 silver and 316 bronze medals. The Ministry of Youth Affairs, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) are hoping to add a substantial chunk of medals to the kitty at Hangzhou and maybe cross the 100-medal mark. Though that may look like a tall order considering the country's best effort so far has been 70 in 2018, it does not sound like an impossible target considering the recent performances by the Indian sportspersons in recent times and the new sports that have been added to the programme here at Hangzhou. India hopes to garner most of its medals from athletics, its bread-and-butter sport at the Asian level, shooting, boxing, wrestling, tennis, rowing and sailing. With esports making its debut as a medal sport in Hangzhou and chess returning to the Games for the first time since 2010, India will also be hoping to bag some medals in badminton, squash, table tennis, taekwondo, judo, wushu and equestrian. The country has sent in a huge Contingent of 921 which includes 655 athletes and 260 coaches and support staff. Competitions have already started in men's and women's football, sailing, rowing, cricket, table tennis, volleyball and beach volleyball. The medal hunt will start on September 24, the day after the Games are officially declared open, with shooters providing the first medal for Another reason for aiming for a rich medal haul at Hangzhou is that India hopes to organise the Asian Games for the third time in the next few years. A rich medal haul at Hangzhou will also boost the country's image and get support for hosting the event for the third time after 1951 and 1982. Can Hangzhou be a stepping stone for Indian sports on way to excelling at Paris 2024 and organising the Asian Games soon? The result will be out on October 8, when the 19th Asian Games will come to a close.

Asian Games: At Hangzhou, India on a quest for excellence and preparing for Paris 2024

New Delhi, May 17 () Cricket legend Rahul Dravid reckons there could be "a sense of doubt, hesitancy and fear" initially in the minds of athletes as well as people in general when sport resumes in the post COVID-19 pandemic world. The novel coronavirus pandemic has led to either cancellation or postponement of all sporting activities worldwide, including the Tokyo Olympics. "For a short period there may be a sense of doubt or fear about certain things, I am sure there will be a certain hesitancy when we get back in, also there will be certain hesitancy in terms of people," Dravid said on Sunday. One of the game's most technically sound batsmen, Dravid added, "Personally, I don't see that (break in sporting events due to pandemic) as a huge problem. I don't think that once elite sportspersons get on the field, get to do what they really love, they will have a problem." "One of the challenges for a lot of sportspersons will be to trust their bodies after two or three months of not playing sports or movements that are associated with sports." He was speaking alongside Olympic champion shooter Abhinav Bindra and badminton legend Prakash Padukone during the show 'Staying Ahead of the Curve - The Power of Trust' on Facebook Live. Dravid said sportspersons should be given enough time to regain peak fitness before they are asked to compete in top events. "(Regaining) match fitness, game fitness, I think that will take a little bit of time before people can confidently trust themselves and go all out. "... and that needs to be factored in, to give athletes enough time to be able to regain match fitness." The unexpected break in competitions could help extend the careers of a few sportspersons, according to Dravid. "I have been telling a lot of the cricketers to see it as an opportunity to rest the body, rest the mind, you will never get that opportunity, never get that chance," he said. "Think about it, if you use this two months well, three months well, you could elongate your career by two or three years at the back end which you might not have if you didn't have this kind of break." He said the players will not forget their skills by the time sporting activities resume. "Will people lose out on skills because of lack of sports? I don't think so, I can say this about cricket. "Cricket has mainly been a seasonal sport in the past. You are going to be rusty but I don't think you will forget your game. It shouldn't take you too long to get back if you have utilised the time well." In collaboration, the cricket legend and the badminton great run Padukone-Dravid Centre for Sports Excellence which aims to develop Indian athletes into world class performers. Dravid said sportspersons will quickly get their mojo back as they are used to facing challenging situations during their careers. "I guess it sort of surprises you, but I think in a sporting career, you knid of get used to facing situations that surprise you or don't go your way, lot of disappointments," the batting legend said. "So you kind of tend to, in a sense have an ability to try and make the best of what you have got and try and make the best of what you have. "But outside of sport, in what I am doing now, fighting ways to make the best of the situation like this, it has obviously not been easy." AH PDSPDS

A sense of hesitancy, fear may be there when sport resumes in post COVID-19 world, feels Dravid

<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"></div></div></div><ul class="summary-list"><li>Before giving birth to her daughter in 2017, Serena Williams looked sure to tie - and even break - Margaret Court's record for the most Grand Slam wins. </li><li>But since returning to tennis, she has lost all four of the Grand Slam finals she's competed in, including Saturday's US Open. </li><li>Since her loss to 19-year-old Bianca Andreescu, tennis experts have begun to doubt Williams' ability to tie Court's record of 24 Grand Slam wins. </li><li>However, many have said that Williams' status as the greatest women's tennis player of all time likely doesn't hinge on this feat. </li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/?hprecirc-bullet">Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. </a></li></ul>For anyone who doesn't follow tennis closely, it may come as a surprise that Serena Williams doesn't hold the record for most Grand Slam wins. <div class="KonaFilter image-container float_right"><div class="image"></div></div>Margaret Court set the record, a controversial Australian player who netted her 24 Grand Slam titles in the 60s and 70s. Before taking a brief break from tennis to give birth to her daughter in September 2017, Williams looked certain to tie - and even break - Court's record. After all, she had won at least one Grand Slam title every year since 2011 and was just one shy of Court's 24 titles. But after her fourth straight Grand Slam finals loss on Saturday at the US Open, the tone decidedly changed. After her loss, David Law, co-host of <a href="https://play.acast.com/s/thetennispodcast" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Tennis Podcast</a>, <a href="https://www.express.co.uk/sport/tennis/1175421/Serena-Williams-Grand-Slam-record-Margaret-Court" target="_blank" rel="noopener">remarked</a> that it was "probably the first time I've had a question mark in my mind" about Williams getting to 24 Grand Slam wins. Tennis legend <a href="https://www.tennisworldusa.org/tennis/news/Serena_Williams/76734/serena-williams-will-retire-in-2020-says-john-mcenroe/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">John McEnroe speculated</a> that Williams would retire by the end of 2020. And on Wednesday, Guardian columnist <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/sep/11/serena-williams-wont-break-margaret-courts-record-and-thats-ok" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bryan Armen Graham</a> wrote his belief that "Serena is not going to break this record." But like many, all three said Williams has already cemented herself as the greatest of all time. Here's why. <h2>A questionable record to beat</h2>For many, Court's 24 Grand Slam wins need an asterisk. That's because 11 of them happened on her home turf, the Australian Open, in a time when - as the <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/09/06/sports/tennis/serena-grand-slam-record.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">New York Times</a> recently pointed out - many players skipped the championship "because it was difficult to travel to and had relatively meager prize money." Read more: <a href="https://www.insider.com/serena-williams-us-open-loss-meghan-markle-jinx-2019-9">Fans of Serena Williams are blaming Meghan Markle for US Open defeat, calling her a 'jinx' and 'a bad omen'</a>Court's career also overlapped with the beginning of the Open Era in 1968, when professional players were first allowed to compete in Grand Slam tournaments. She won more than half of her Grand Slam before this landmark when she only competed with other amateurs. (It should also be noted that, when it comes to winning over fans' hearts, Williams has no competition with Court, who is arguably more known for <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/jun/03/margaret-court-astounding-champion-who-found-god-and-lost-the-respect-of-a-nation" target="_blank" rel="noopener">making homophobic comments</a>, than for her tennis success.) <h2>Already a history-maker</h2>With or without tying Court's record, many believe Williams will be remembered as the greatest of all time. In a column for <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/serena-williams-u-s-open-loss-bianca-andreescu-brings-more-ncna1051536" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NBC News</a>, Caira Conner listed just a few of the ways that Williams has made her mark on the sport. "No other player has reached more U.S. Open finals in the open era. No other player has fought harder, or longer - with perhaps the exception of her phenomenal sister, Venus Williams - for diversity and inclusivity in women's tennis. No other player has been as staunch an advocate for pay equality for black women, not just in tennis, but across all professions. No other player has won a seventh Australian Open while two months pregnant, given birth at age 35, then come back to reach four Grand Slam finals in the two years postpartum," Conner wrote. <div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"></div></div></div>Williams is also the oldest woman to have played in a Grand Slam final and one of only two women (with Steffi Graff) to earn the Golden Slam - winning all four Grand Slams plus an Olympic gold medal. Her influence on inspiring some of the next generation of players shouldn't be discounted either. When Williams and her sister entered the tennis world in the 90s, black teens from Compton were outliers in a sport dominated by white players from privileged backgrounds. Today, some of the sport's up-and-coming stars are black, including <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/sports/cori-coco-gauff-planned-what-say-venus-williams-she-never-n1027736" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Coco Gauff</a>, <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/serena-williams-naomi-osaka-why-shes-nervous-to-talk-to-tennis-legend/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Naomi Osaka</a>, and <a href="https://twitter.com/SloaneStephens/status/1170484882969174017" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sloane Stephens</a>- all three of whom have called the Williams sisters inspirational. <h2>'I just got to keep fighting'<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"></div></div></div></h2>For her part, Serena has made no hints about retiring any time soon, and she seems driven to win more Grand Slams.After the loss on Saturday, <a href="https://people.com/sports/serena-williams-us-open-loss-worst-match/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Williams lamented</a> that she is "so close, yet so far away." "I guess I got to keep going if I want to be a professional tennis player. And I just got to just keep fighting through it," she said. <h2>Showing improvement</h2>Williams' performance in the US Open was an improvement over her quick loss to Simona Halep in the Wimbledon finals just two months before. <a href="https://ftw.usatoday.com/2019/09/serena-williams-us-open-margaret-court-grand-slam-record-tennis" target="_blank" rel="noopener">For The Win's</a> Michelle R. Martinelli on Wednesday broke down Williams' performance in the US Open final as evidence that she's on the up-turn and on track to win another slam. "She's just so close to putting it all together for another Grand Slam win, and maybe the few months between now and January's Australian Open are exactly what she needs to regroup," Martinelli wrote.<ul class="read-more-links"><li>Read more:</li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-the-worlds-top-tennis-players-looked-like-when-their-careers-started-2013-6" data-e2e-name="read-more-link" data-read-more-link="">Photos show what the world's top tennis players looked like when their careers started</a></li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/bianca-andreescu-makes-history-in-us-open-2019-9" data-e2e-name="read-more-link" data-read-more-link="">A 19-year-old Canadian asked 'is this real life?' after stunning her US Open semifinal opponent, taking her one win away from a potential Serena Williams showdown</a></li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/serena-williams-says-daughter-is-too-loud-for-us-open-2019-9" data-e2e-name="read-more-link" data-read-more-link="">Serena Williams says her daughter is too 'loud and obnoxious' to bring to the US Open</a></li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-open-party-palace-invitational-tennis-serena-williams-rafael-nadal-2019-8" data-e2e-name="read-more-link" data-read-more-link="">Inside the most unbuttoned night of professional tennis, where Serena Williams and Rafael Nadal faced off for a game of badminton in an iconic NYC hotel's courtyard</a></li></ul>

Tennis experts are beginning to doubt Serena Williams' ability to break the Grand Slam record, but her status as the greatest of all time doesn't hinge on it

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