9th Lagos International Badminton Classics: Panda sisters ready for final
The Indian Panda Sisters, Rutaparna and Swetaparna, have become the toast of spectators at the ongoing 9th Lagos International Badminton Classics after booking a place in the women’s doubles final.
The 27-year-old Rutaparna and her 21-year-old younger sister, Swetaparna, will face compatriots Kavipriya Selvan and Simran Singhi in an all-Indian final.
The Panda Sisters received a bye in the Round of 32 before defeating the United Arab Emirates (UAE) siblings, Myssha Omer Khan and Taabia Khan, in the next round.
In the semi-finals, the No. 2 seeds produced a dominant display, defeating South Africa’s Amy Ackerman and Johanita Scholtz 21-8, 21-13 to book their place in the final.
The sisters expressed confidence ahead of the final. Swetaparna said the day’s victories had boosted their confidence.
“We feel great because we played a good match in the morning and also in the afternoon.
“So, I feel quite confident for tomorrow’s match,” she said.
Rutaparna described the day as hectic but said they had managed the demanding schedule well.
“Yes, it was a very hectic day because in the morning also we played a match and in the evening also we played a match.
“It was like two matches in a day, but we somehow managed it and we are fully ready for tomorrow,” she said.
On their experience in Nigeria, the sisters praised the warmth of the people and the reception they had received from tournament officials.
Swetaparna, who has visited Nigeria twice previously, said she had always enjoyed her time in the country.
“I’ll say first, because I have been to Nigeria twice before and she has been once before. So, it has always been a great experience for me in Nigeria.
“The thing I love about Nigeria is the people are really my lucky ones,” she said.
Rutaparna said Nigeria had also proved to be a lucky destination for her.
“I will also say the same thing. It’s one of my lucky spots because last time also we went to an International Challenge and there also we won bronze.
“This time we are in the finals, so we are very, very excited to play tomorrow in the finals,” she said.
On what motivates them during competitions, the sisters said their training and the support of their parents had played significant roles in their development.
Swetaparna said badminton required considerable financial commitment and mental strength.
“Badminton is a really expensive sport and also you have to be mentally so strong.
“I feel the hard work my parents put in for both of us because we play individually. We are individual players.
“There is no coach sitting behind us. So, I feel the hard work they put in, my father and mother, that really helps us to be motivated,” she said.
Rutaparna said their training focused on both attacking and defensive aspects of the game.
“We train together and we try to focus on our attacking game style and it gives us good confidence.
“So, while training we try to focus on our attack. Also, we work on our defence because the women’s doubles is sometimes very long, like one hour, one and a half hours.
“So, we have to focus overall. Also, badminton is all about working hard.
“For training, we are focusing on training, on the gym and everything.
“It is a multi-kind of thing. Everything you need to have, you have to be good in everything,” she said.
Swetaparna added that speed and skill were also crucial to their success.
“We need a combination of everything. We need to make things proper,” she said.
The final between the two Indian pairs is scheduled to take place on Saturday at the Indoor Sports Hall of the Nigeria Institute of Sports (NIS), National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.
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