CANDIGARH, India: Badminton is not everything in life”,
These words coming from a former badminton international may sound out of the place, But these are the exact quotes of Kanwal Thakur Singh (now Mrs. Pannu) two times national champion and Punjab badminton queen for 12 years.
Kanwal hung up the racket at the pinnacle of her badminton career to settle down as a housewife, She and her husband are at present at/Raleigh in North Carolina (U.S.A.).
She was in the city visiting her Parents and in-laws. “No it was not hubby Jatinder who asked me to give up badminton. I felt had: achieved the maximum in the game, Now 1 am doing a course in computer science”
I buttonholed Kanwal during a chance meeting. She refused to ‘open up with the quote: “What news can you get out of a former champion”.
I had heard rumors that Kanwal was getting an assignment to coach the American Women’s badminton team. But Kanwal refused to confirm the “report”. In her own words: “I would rather like to prove myself rather than talk about it”,
She admitted, however, that she had been sounded about such a probability by a “well meaning friend”. She refused to elaborate, But considering the fact that badminton is to be included in the 1992 Olympics such a U’S. Move does not sound out of place,
Kanwal, who has been the ‘only woman player to win a match against the powerful Malaysians in the badminton Tests, in the late seventies, is an Arjuna Award winner. She has also won one bronze medal in the Commonwealth Games and two bronze medals in the Asian Games. She feels the standard of women’s badminton has not changed much since the time she quit the scene, “The same players — Ami Ghia and Madhumita Bist — are still vying for the national title.
” ‘When I questioned her about. The incident in the recent national championships at Kota where Mad humita Bist was verbally assaulted and her husband Vikram Singh beaten up by a section of the crowd, Kanwal said the Kota crowd had always been rowdy. She was of the opinion that the players should refuse to play at such centers if security cannot be provided.
She went on to add that the spectators of Punjab were the most sporting.
She blinked her large expressive ‘eyes when I asked her why she had not joined films despite her “film star” looks. She laughed and then as an afterthought said: “Probably
‘because | am an introvert”. Her _ sister Kiron, who paired with her to win the Punjab doubles title for six years, is an established film and TY. Artiste Besides Kiron is married to film star Anupan Kher.
Kanwal has been a topper throughout. Despite the grind to become a national champion, Kan wal topped Punjab University in MAA. (History) examination and even won three gold medals, And as if this was not enough she walked away with the sports queen title of the Chandigarh Sports Journalists Association, some years ago,
The Pannus — Kanwal and Jatinder — intend to return to
Punjab after their short stint in the USA.
Article extracted from this publication >> December 25, 1987
