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To serve with pride

Jaseel P. Ismail has been in the Indian badminton team for the past 16 years

RALLYING FOR THE GAME: Jaseel P. Ismail

When Jaseel P. Ismail first played for India, E.K. Nayanar was the Chief Minister of Kerala; A.R. Rahman was just a composer of ad jingles; Rahul Dravid hadn't made his Test debut; and Aishwarya Rai was planning to become an architect.

Jaseel is still representing the Indian badminton team in international tournaments, 16 years after he played for the junior national team in the Netherlands. It's supreme self-confidence and the pride in playing for the country that keep him going. He remains one of India's finest ever doubles players. He played in each of the doubles finals in the last 12 years and was the champion - in the company of Vijaydeep Singh first and then Vincent Lobo - on four occasions.

But it's the silver medal he won at the Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur in 1998 that he cherishes the most. "And I would always remember being part of the Indian teams that qualified for the Thomas Cup in 2000 and this year, says Jaseel, who is working as manager at Indian Oil Corporation, Kochi.

"That I have been a regular member of the Indian teams at the Thomas Cup and the World Championships is something I would always be proud about."

Not that he doesn't have any regrets. "I know that I haven't fulfilled my potential as a singles player," he confesses. "Though injuries and the considerable success I have had in doubles are the main reasons for that, I admit that I was a bit laid back too."

Jaseel is a bit worried that all the good players Kerala has produced since him shares the same trait. "These young kids should give singles a decent try before turning full-time doubles players. You know I used to play the singles till I was 23, and I had won the National junior boys' singles title in 1989."

He was the first Keralite to do that. Jaseel strongly feels that badminton hasn't got its due in India.

"It's time the media and the sponsors paid us a little attention. Though I have nothing against cricket, it's a bit unfair that all other sports are ignored in this country. But you have to admit that the cricket administrators have marketed their sport well."

He would also like to see badminton spreading to cities outside Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode.

P.K. AJITH KUMAR

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