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Brought together by sport

Badminton duo Chetan Anand and Jwala Gutta, upbeat after their good show at the Commonwealth Games, want their due place in the sun

WINNING COMBINATION Jwala Gutta and Chetan Anand PHOTO: SATISH. H

The celebrations and the cheer evidently greet you when you meet the families of badminton couple Chetan Anand and Jwala Gutta. He won a bronze and she made her mark in the Indian doubles team at the recently concluded Commonwealth Games. After the hectic travelling, gruelling training sessions and demanding games over the last few months, the two are enjoying a breather.

The players grill each other about badminton, their personal lives and future plans as Sangeetha Devi. K tunes in...

Jwala: I'm really happy that you've won at the Commonwealth Games. I know it means a lot to you. You were included in the team in the last minute, though I thought you deserved your place there much earlier.

Chetan: Yes, I had to prove myself. I was a bit tense before the tournament and all of you stood by me. It's always nice to win a medal for the country.

Jwala: True. And it's also nice to return home and see badminton being recognised. Otherwise, cricket and tennis get all the limelight. Tell me, who would you dedicate this medal to?

Chetan: To my father, who retired in March, and then to you and your parents.

Jwala: I think you should dedicate it to dad (referring to Chetan's father) first. If not for his support, you wouldn't have reached so far today.

Chetan: I am happy I could play this time. I missed out the last Commonwealth games despite having played consistently in the previous months.

Jwala: Yes, last time you weren't even in the probable list. That was disheartening. This time though, though I was concerned and nervous, I knew you'd make it. If you hadn't, I would have consoled you saying the Olympics and the Grand Prix matter more (laughs).

Chetan: You've been following most of my matches. But I normally avoid seeing you play since it adds to my tension.

Jwala: For some people, it matters to see their near and dear ones among the audience, cheering for them. Thankfully, I become oblivious to my surroundings. When I see you play, I get worked up. I get a headache, backache and my stomach begins to churn. I feel like yelling, "Oh Chetan, just win!"

Chetan: You observe my game well and point out when I go wrong. That really matters.

(Their talk shifts to training facilities in India)

Jwala: The training here isn't at par with international levels. We've benefited a lot from Morten Frost Hansten. He's a legend.

Chetan: Absolutely. I believe that youngsters will benefit from good coaching and some sponsorships.

Jwala: There is a notion that badminton is a boring game and getting sponsors is tough. Chetan, do you ever feel that despite international victories, you don't get talked about like Sania Mirza?

Chetan: It doesn't affect me much. But yeah, my world ranking is 21 and I doubt how many people know that. Within a year, I want to break into the top 10.

Jwala: You want to coach youngsters a few years later, don't you? But I can't see myself doing that. It's like asking for more tension. I'd start a sports management company and promote young talent.

Chetan: But whatever we do, it will concern badminton. The sport was instrumental in getting us together.

Jwala: Yeah, we've known each other since kids and never once did I think we'd end up being a couple.

Chetan: When did you realise we were in love?

Jwala: Sometime in 1999.

Chetan: It wasn't like we proposed or anything, but just knew that we were there for each other.

Jwala: I'm lucky that your family has been so supportive. They've been so open about me pursuing the sport after marriage.

Chetan: Both our families are quite broad minded. My parents belong to different religions and had a love marriage. Similarly your parents are from different nations - your father is a Telugu and mother is from China. But I must tell you that you've changed after marriage. You used to have short hair. I'm proud of having convinced you to grow your hair.

Jwala: I was planning to grow my hair in any case. I was the one who changed you. You coloured your hair and you aren't shy like before.

Chetan: I wouldn't speak to girls earlier (laughs).

Jwala: I think your earlier shyness came from your coaching days in Vijayawada where boys were not allowed to talk to girls. Now you only talk to girls!

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