PGA Tour card holder and Indian golfer Anirban Lahiri in an exclusive interview with WION's Sports Editor, Digvijay Singh Deo, spoke about variety of things ranging from resumption of practice, life in lockdown, PGA Tour restart, players' form, Ryder Cup and much more.

Digvijay Singh Deo: Anirban when I messaged you this morning you were set to tee off for a round, so how relieved are you to get back to playing again?

Anirban Lahiri: It's great to be back playing again. It was a huge relief when I got the clubs out. This lockdown period has been very tough for us athletes because our lives are centred around sport and it was suddenly taken away from us. So it was great to get back to what I love doing.

DSD: Was it an unfamiliar feeling when you hit that golf balls for the first time and did you hit it straight down the fairway?

Anirban Lahiri: It felt extremely strange, I don't think I have ever had so much time away from golf since I was in school. It almost felt like I was returning from my summer vacations in school because I didn't have any golf clubs back then. I was just happy to be back playing. Obviously it will take some time to return to my peak skill level.

DSD: Now usually such a long period without any action happens only when one is seriously injured, so how did you cope through this lockdown phase?

Anirban Lahiri: I don't believe the lockdown has been a terrible period for me as I got to spend some quality time with my 15-month old daughter. I also used this time to read and just get some much-needed rest. It has been a very hectic last five years for me on the PGA Tour, I have constantly been travelling. So it was great to be able to relax for a while, but that too got frustrating after about 30 days. I have been trying to stay fit by doing yoga, working out and eating healthy.

DSD: For you personally, a chance to introspect and plot a course to get back to your best form and also a way up the rankings. Also with the Olympics now a year away there is enough time to get back into the mix.

Anirban Lahiri: Before the scheduled Indian Open in March, my coach and I had drawn up a phase-wise plan to improve certain areas of my game that needed attention, which would help me get back to my best. My performances over the last two years have been extremely disappointing. We were in phase one of that plan when the lockdown began. Now that I have started playing a bit of golf again, I'm in touch with my coach. My participation in PGA Tour events depends on when international travel will resume. I would also like to spend 15 days with my coach in Ahmedabad, where he's based so that I can work on certain aspects of my game before I return to competitive golf. The Olympic postponement is actually a blessing for me because it gives me more time to secure qualification. This lockdown period has brought a lot of positives in my life and I will try to build on them.&nbsp;

<img alt="Anirban Lahiri" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="bbe03d74-4306-40fb-9fa3-89db1d895ef9" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_Hkg10218701.jpg" />

DSD: You were in India when the PGA Tour abruptly shut down during the Players'&nbsp;Championships, at that time it was just a temporary break but perhaps no one had an idea of what they were dealing with.

Anirban Lahiri: The coronavirus crisis has affected all industries in the world, including sport. But hats off to the PGA Tour for being so proactive and putting a proper schedule out for the players. The PGA is one of the few major sporting organisations which has released a detailed plan to get the sport up and running. I have been involved in some form in the decision-making process and it has been a very difficult period for the PGA Tour. There are a lot of stakeholders in the game and their safety must be the priority. No one could have predicted the extent to which sport and life in general, would be affected by the crisis .it is good to see that there are signs of a return to some sort of normalcy, at least in golf. When the tour resumes, it will probably be a 'new normal' and it'll be interesting to see how the sport adapts. Hopefully, everything will go smoothly and the PGA Tour could also be a model for other sports to follow amid the coronavirus pandemic. I'm disappointed that I'm not going to be part of the tour right from the get-go, but I'm delighted that I'll get to see some live golf again.

DSD: Is it safe to resume the PGA Tour in the USA, given the massive health crisis the country is in.

Anirban Lahiri: I have been part of the players' advisory council for the last three years and i must say that the pga tour has left no stone unturned in trying to set up an environment where everyone involved in the tour can stay as safe as possible in the current climate. There are extremely strict health protocols in place at every step. Players and caddies will be tested for the coronavirus before travelling to the event, upon arrival and also just before the tournament begins. They are going to stay in designated hotels and no family members are allowed to travel with them. Only one coach can accompany the player to the events. Chartered flights have been organised for travel between events, which will only carry essential personnel. These protocols are going to be followed for the first four events after the hiatus. There have been hours of work and a lot of deliberation after which the PGA Tour has come up with these safety measures. I feel that this is the safest possible environment that can be created for players, given the current situation. Obviously it is impossible to guarantee 100% safety of all individuals, there are still chances of people contracting the virus. In fact, there are protocols in place in case an individual on the tour contracts the virus during the event. All contingencies have been covered by the PGA Tour. The players obviously want to get back to action and earn their living, but the last thing they want is to contract the virus and get it home. I think most of the players' concerns have been addressed by the tour and now it is just a case of executing the measures and hoping everything goes well. If I were in America and able to travel to the events, I would definitely play.

DSD: Now the PGA Tour is primarily an American Tour but obviously the biggest and most prestigious professional tour in the world. Now unlike tennis, they do not need everyone to be available before resuming. But it is players like you who are from abroad that will have a problem getting into the US, it's not really fair on the non-American players.

Anirban Lahiri: That's the reality of the situation, it is certainly unfair for certain players but these are unprecedented times and certain compromises have to made. Although to tackle that situation, the PGA Tour has guaranteed that those players who were eligible to play on the tour in 2020, will retain their rights for the 2021 season. The European tour is also having six events in the UK at the start of its season and most countries are going to have mandatory quarantine protocols in place even for athletes, in order to protect the greater population. I don't think any athletes will be exempted from those quarantine periods. The massive advantage that the PGA Tour has is that it can hold the entire season in the USA.

<img alt="Anirban Lahiri" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="1940497c-7ab1-4444-be35-cfa2e4584503" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_HC7XX.jpg" />

It might not be fair on players living outside the US, but this is the best we can do at the moment. I can't participate in the first few events of the tour but I'm not complaining because I realise that the sport needs to resume in some form, it is about survival and getting through this tough phase. That is the primary concern. There are still some players who are uncomfortable playing in these circumstances, and it is their right to choose not to play. The ultimate choice to compete for lies with the player and no one has the right to judge that decision. It's a completely personal choice. Also, the other tours are looking at the PGA Tour to set the standard in terms of how to resume golf amid the pandemic. I know that the Asian Tour is definitely employing that strategy. In a sense, the PGA Tour is going to be the industry leader in setting a template for the sport to resume. There are always going to be different opinions, but personally I want to see the sport restart sooner rather than later.

DSD: At some point, you have to get back so then are you looking at a long stint in America till the end of the year because of these quarantine regulations.

Anirban Lahiri: I'm definitely going to have to be in the US for a while, whenever I go there. At some point, I will have to return to America because I live there. I love it here in India and this has almost been like a holiday to me because I'm not working. The problem I have right now is that I have no goal to work towards in a certain time frame, I don't know when flights will resume and when I'll be able to get back to playing competitive golf. As soon as I get a definite timeline, I will start mental and physical preparation for my return to action. Any athlete has to be in the right frame of mind to be able to prepare for an event, it is difficult to do so without a fixed deadline. I am patiently waiting for some decision to be made on international travel.

DSD: The action resume at the Charles Schwab Challenge and there's the stellar lineup on the cards. Does that just show the desperation of everyone to get back to playing again?

Anirban Lahiri: I spoke to some of the golfers who were part of the players' advisory council, including Rory McIlroy and Justin Thomas, and all of them just wanted to get back to the course again. It is how us golfers earn our living and not playing for 3-4 months is very hard on us as competitive athletes. It gets frustrating after a certain point of time and that's why we're seeing such a star-studded entry list at the first tournament after the break. We might see very strong fields heading into the other tournaments as well because so many events have been lost and players are desperate to pick up their ranking points in order to qualify for the fed-ex cup.

DSD: Most of the American golfers stay on golf courses and have been probably playing more regularly than say the likes of you. But there also has been a lack of competition. So are we going to see some strange names up the leaderboard?

Anirban Lahiri: Players will certainly be a bit rusty in the first few rounds, but I don't think it will last very long. Most of my friends in the US have continued to play golf because the lockdown measures there were nowhere near as strict as the restrictions in India. The situation in India would have been exponentially worse if such stringent measures would not have been adopted. I don't feel that we will see a lower standard of golf, we might get to see the depth in the PGA Tour with some of the lesser-known players coming to the fore and doing well, or it might be normal service for the likes of Rory McIlroy and Brooks Koepka. It is hard to say but I don't think the overall standard of golf will drop substantially. As far as I know, no golf course in the US was shut for more than two weeks. Despite the situation being so grave in America, golf courses were still open. A lot of the pros must have practised together which also might be a big help to them.

<img alt="Anirban Lahiri" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2a0ee7c3-0505-4c20-882c-ac715d69604c" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_9H4B3.jpg" />

DSD: Actually more than us it is professionals like you who would be able to pick up on minute details. Did you get a chance to watch some of the charity matches which featured the likes Rory McIlroy, Dustin Johnson, Rickie Fowler, Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson?

Anirban Lahiri: I didn't watch any of the exhibition games. At the end of the day, they are just charity matches and they have got absolutely no correlation with what you'll see in competitive tournaments. Some of the golfers might hit great shots, but that isn't a reflection on how they will perform at the proper tour events, it's a completely different ball game.

DSD: Ryder Cup remains a huge talking point, you have played in team competitions before and you know how significant the atmosphere is, some like Ian Poulter thrive off it.so do you see it being held without fans or pushed back?

Anirban Lahiri: Team Europe would certainly prefer the Ryder Cup to be played without fans because it is happening in America. The golf course at Whistling Straits, Wisconsin, is one of my favourites and it is ideal for match-play. I would personally not want to be in a team competition without fans. Team events are the only ones which come closest to golf becoming a stadium sport. There are fans at regular events as well but there is a special atmosphere that is created by fans during team competitions.

PGA Tour card holder and Indian golfer Anirban Lahiri in an exclusive interview with WION's Sports Editor, Digvijay Singh Deo, spoke about variety of things ranging from resumption of practice, life in lockdown, PGA Tour restart, players' form, Ryder Cup and much more.

PGA Tour card holder and Indian golfer Anirban Lahiri in an exclusive interview with WION's Sports Editor, Digvijay Singh Deo, spoke about variety of things ranging from resumption of practice, life in lockdown, PGA Tour restart, players' form, Ryder Cup and much more. Digvijay Singh Deo: Anirban when I messaged you this morning you were set to tee off for a round, so how relieved are you to get back to playing again? Anirban Lahiri: It's great to be back playing again. It was a huge relief when I got the clubs out. This lockdown period has been very tough for us athletes because our lives are centred around sport and it was suddenly taken away from us. So it was great to get back to what I love doing. DSD: Was it an unfamiliar feeling when you hit that golf balls for the first time and did you hit it straight down the fairway? Anirban Lahiri: It felt extremely strange, I don't think I have ever had so much time away from golf since I was in school. It almost felt like I was returning from my summer vacations in school because I didn't have any golf clubs back then. I was just happy to be back playing. Obviously it will take some time to return to my peak skill level. DSD: Now usually such a long period without any action happens only when one is seriously injured, so how did you cope through this lockdown phase? Anirban Lahiri: I don't believe the lockdown has been a terrible period for me as I got to spend some quality time with my 15-month old daughter. I also used this time to read and just get some much-needed rest. It has been a very hectic last five years for me on the PGA Tour, I have constantly been travelling. So it was great to be able to relax for a while, but that too got frustrating after about 30 days. I have been trying to stay fit by doing yoga, working out and eating healthy. DSD: For you personally, a chance to introspect and plot a course to get back to your best form and also a way up the rankings. Also with the Olympics now a year away there is enough time to get back into the mix. Anirban Lahiri: Before the scheduled Indian Open in March, my coach and I had drawn up a phase-wise plan to improve certain areas of my game that needed attention, which would help me get back to my best. My performances over the last two years have been extremely disappointing. We were in phase one of that plan when the lockdown began. Now that I have started playing a bit of golf again, I'm in touch with my coach. My participation in PGA Tour events depends on when international travel will resume. I would also like to spend 15 days with my coach in Ahmedabad, where he's based so that I can work on certain aspects of my game before I return to competitive golf. The Olympic postponement is actually a blessing for me because it gives me more time to secure qualification. This lockdown period has brought a lot of positives in my life and I will try to build on them. DSD: You were in India when the PGA Tour abruptly shut down during the Players' Championships, at that time it was just a temporary break but perhaps no one had an idea of what they were dealing with. Anirban Lahiri: The coronavirus crisis has affected all industries in the world, including sport. But hats off to the PGA Tour for being so proactive and putting a proper schedule out for the players. The PGA is one of the few major sporting organisations which has released a detailed plan to get the sport up and running. I have been involved in some form in the decision-making process and it has been a very difficult period for the PGA Tour. There are a lot of stakeholders in the game and their safety must be the priority. No one could have predicted the extent to which sport and life in general, would be affected by the crisis .it is good to see that there are signs of a return to some sort of normalcy, at least in golf. When the tour resumes, it will probably be a 'new normal' and it'll be interesting to see how the sport adapts. Hopefully, everything will go smoothly and the PGA Tour could also be a model for other sports to follow amid the coronavirus pandemic. I'm disappointed that I'm not going to be part of the tour right from the get-go, but I'm delighted that I'll get to see some live golf again. DSD: Is it safe to resume the PGA Tour in the USA, given the massive health crisis the country is in. Anirban Lahiri: I have been part of the players' advisory council for the last three years and i must say that the pga tour has left no stone unturned in trying to set up an environment where everyone involved in the tour can stay as safe as possible in the current climate. There are extremely strict health protocols in place at every step. Players and caddies will be tested for the coronavirus before travelling to the event, upon arrival and also just before the tournament begins. They are going to stay in designated hotels and no family members are allowed to travel with them. Only one coach can accompany the player to the events. Chartered flights have been organised for travel between events, which will only carry essential personnel. These protocols are going to be followed for the first four events after the hiatus. There have been hours of work and a lot of deliberation after which the PGA Tour has come up with these safety measures. I feel that this is the safest possible environment that can be created for players, given the current situation. Obviously it is impossible to guarantee 100% safety of all individuals, there are still chances of people contracting the virus. In fact, there are protocols in place in case an individual on the tour contracts the virus during the event. All contingencies have been covered by the PGA Tour. The players obviously want to get back to action and earn their living, but the last thing they want is to contract the virus and get it home. I think most of the players' concerns have been addressed by the tour and now it is just a case of executing the measures and hoping everything goes well. If I were in America and able to travel to the events, I would definitely play. DSD: Now the PGA Tour is primarily an American Tour but obviously the biggest and most prestigious professional tour in the world. Now unlike tennis, they do not need everyone to be available before resuming. But it is players like you who are from abroad that will have a problem getting into the US, it's not really fair on the non-American players. Anirban Lahiri: That's the reality of the situation, it is certainly unfair for certain players but these are unprecedented times and certain compromises have to made. Although to tackle that situation, the PGA Tour has guaranteed that those players who were eligible to play on the tour in 2020, will retain their rights for the 2021 season. The European tour is also having six events in the UK at the start of its season and most countries are going to have mandatory quarantine protocols in place even for athletes, in order to protect the greater population. I don't think any athletes will be exempted from those quarantine periods. The massive advantage that the PGA Tour has is that it can hold the entire season in the USA. It might not be fair on players living outside the US, but this is the best we can do at the moment. I can't participate in the first few events of the tour but I'm not complaining because I realise that the sport needs to resume in some form, it is about survival and getting through this tough phase. That is the primary concern. There are still some players who are uncomfortable playing in these circumstances, and it is their right to choose not to play. The ultimate choice to compete for lies with the player and no one has the right to judge that decision. It's a completely personal choice. Also, the other tours are looking at the PGA Tour to set the standard in terms of how to resume golf amid the pandemic. I know that the Asian Tour is definitely employing that strategy. In a sense, the PGA Tour is going to be the industry leader in setting a template for the sport to resume. There are always going to be different opinions, but personally I want to see the sport restart sooner rather than later. DSD: At some point, you have to get back so then are you looking at a long stint in America till the end of the year because of these quarantine regulations. Anirban Lahiri: I'm definitely going to have to be in the US for a while, whenever I go there. At some point, I will have to return to America because I live there. I love it here in India and this has almost been like a holiday to me because I'm not working. The problem I have right now is that I have no goal to work towards in a certain time frame, I don't know when flights will resume and when I'll be able to get back to playing competitive golf. As soon as I get a definite timeline, I will start mental and physical preparation for my return to action. Any athlete has to be in the right frame of mind to be able to prepare for an event, it is difficult to do so without a fixed deadline. I am patiently waiting for some decision to be made on international travel. DSD: The action resume at the Charles Schwab Challenge and there's the stellar lineup on the cards. Does that just show the desperation of everyone to get back to playing again? Anirban Lahiri: I spoke to some of the golfers who were part of the players' advisory council, including Rory McIlroy and Justin Thomas, and all of them just wanted to get back to the course again. It is how us golfers earn our living and not playing for 3-4 months is very hard on us as competitive athletes. It gets frustrating after a certain point of time and that's why we're seeing such a star-studded entry list at the first tournament after the break. We might see very strong fields heading into the other tournaments as well because so many events have been lost and players are desperate to pick up their ranking points in order to qualify for the fed-ex cup. DSD: Most of the American golfers stay on golf courses and have been probably playing more regularly than say the likes of you. But there also has been a lack of competition. So are we going to see some strange names up the leaderboard? Anirban Lahiri: Players will certainly be a bit rusty in the first few rounds, but I don't think it will last very long. Most of my friends in the US have continued to play golf because the lockdown measures there were nowhere near as strict as the restrictions in India. The situation in India would have been exponentially worse if such stringent measures would not have been adopted. I don't feel that we will see a lower standard of golf, we might get to see the depth in the PGA Tour with some of the lesser-known players coming to the fore and doing well, or it might be normal service for the likes of Rory McIlroy and Brooks Koepka. It is hard to say but I don't think the overall standard of golf will drop substantially. As far as I know, no golf course in the US was shut for more than two weeks. Despite the situation being so grave in America, golf courses were still open. A lot of the pros must have practised together which also might be a big help to them. DSD: Actually more than us it is professionals like you who would be able to pick up on minute details. Did you get a chance to watch some of the charity matches which featured the likes Rory McIlroy, Dustin Johnson, Rickie Fowler, Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson? Anirban Lahiri: I didn't watch any of the exhibition games. At the end of the day, they are just charity matches and they have got absolutely no correlation with what you'll see in competitive tournaments. Some of the golfers might hit great shots, but that isn't a reflection on how they will perform at the proper tour events, it's a completely different ball game. DSD: Ryder Cup remains a huge talking point, you have played in team competitions before and you know how significant the atmosphere is, some like Ian Poulter thrive off it.so do you see it being held without fans or pushed back? Anirban Lahiri: Team Europe would certainly prefer the Ryder Cup to be played without fans because it is happening in America. The golf course at Whistling Straits, Wisconsin, is one of my favourites and it is ideal for match-play. I would personally not want to be in a team competition without fans. Team events are the only ones which come closest to golf becoming a stadium sport. There are fans at regular events as well but there is a special atmosphere that is created by fans during team competitions.

Lahiri: PGA Tour restart will set the template for resumption of golf

Gold medallist in Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and one of the finest pugilists in India, Vikas Krishan, in an exclusive interview with WION's Sports Editor, Digvijay Singh Deo, spoke about a lot of things ranging from training in lockdown, idea of quarantine camp for Olympic hopefuls, Tokyo Olympics and preparation for medal in the Games, change of weight-category, new SOPs for resumption and more.

Digvijay Singh Deo: Good to see you Vikas, how have you been through this period?

Vikas Krishan Yadav: These last few months have been very tough, not just for me but all sportspersons in India. It has been difficult to deal with the sudden change of schedule. We athletes are used to following a disciplined lifestyle which is centred around our training, so adjusting during this period has been a mental challenge as well.

DSD: I have been told that you are one of the few lucky ones to have managed to stay in shape during this period by training on your farm...

Vikas Krishan Yadav: Yes, I was training for about a month with a friend of mine, who was helping me&nbsp;with my workouts. However, he is no longer in Bhiwani and I haven't trained properly since he left. Now, my mindset has changed and I'm spending some quality time with my family. When I returned home after securing my Olympic quota, I was extremely motivated and training very hard for the 2020 games. But once the postponement decision was made, I lost a little bit of focus and now I will have to re-work my plan. When my training partner was here, I had undertaken advanced training for professional boxing. Once international travel resumes, I plan to go to the USA to fight professionally.

DSD: I was speaking to Vijender Singh last week and he felt that more than other sportspersons it is boxers like you who have been hit hard by the Olympic postponement.that the momentum you had built up right up to the qualifiers in Amman is now gone.

Vikas Krishan Yadav: I had trained for 6 months leading up to the Olympic qualifiers and was in good mental and physical shape for the 2020 games. However, this forced break has taken away that momentum and now we have to recalibrate. It is possible to regain your physical fitness in a matter of 3-4 weeks, that is the relatively easy part, but the real challenge is to get back that competitive mindset. I feel I will only be able to work on my mental conditioning once the national camps resume.

<img alt="Vikas Krishnan" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f5f41374-a01d-4db1-9996-dc3ddb658e14" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/dc-Cover-l918bpamcuf0adb6f16brlnfa4-20180831160545.Medi__0.jpeg" />

DSD: A&nbsp;lot of your teammates, in fact, have been inside the National Institute of Sports campus in Patiala, which has sort of becoming quarantine camp. Is it better to be in there safe from the virus or is it a sort of privileged house arrest?

Vikas Krishan Yadav: I feel it is a personal choice for the boxers. My family means a lot to me and I decided it would be right for me to spend some time with them during this crisis. But now it has been three months and there are times when I have regretted being here because I haven't been able to train properly for the Olympics. However, I believe that things rarely go as planned and there are always roadblocks. Ideally, I would have liked to spend about a month at home and then returned to the national camp, but now it has been three months since this lockdown. I would now prefer to return to the national camp as soon as possible. Although we still have to follow the health guidelines of the government. I will adhere to the instructions of the authorities, but hopefully, the national camps will resume as soon as possible.

DSD: One more year to prepare for Olympics Vikas, how do you change your preparation now. This changes your career road-map, you put your pro career on hold for the 2020 Olympics but how will you know to adjust between both?

Vikas Krishan Yadav: The best thing for me is that I have already secured a quote for the Olympics and I have 14 months to prepare for the games. So I have enough time to regain my skills and get back to the professional circuit. Pro boxing is completely different from amateur sport, it has made me a more tough competitor. Last year I fought at new york's madison square garden, one of the most iconic sporting arenas in the world. So many experiences in the professional circuit have given me more confidence. To use an analogy, if pro boxing is equivalent to the 10th grade, then amateur boxing is like the 5th grade. So competing in the pro circuit has benefited me greatly and I saw the results at the South Asian games, even though the competition level wasn't that high, I eased to the title. All my coaches and peers have noticed a considerable improvement and I feel that I have elevated my game. Boxing is an art, which includes defence and attack, I feel I have been successful in executing that art form recently.

DSD: I have known you since your junior days. The Olympics has been somewhat of an obsession for you, London was a bad memory and in Rio, you were almost there. How badly do you want it?

Vikas Krishan Yadav: It's not merely a dream, I am going to win the Olympic gold medal and I will settle for nothing less than that, nothing can stop me. If I am not able to achieve the feat, I will live in regret for the rest of my life and keep dwelling on 'what could have been'. It will drive me crazy. I will not leave any stone unturned for the Olympics. I realise I made some mistakes for the last games, but now I feel I have matured and am at the perfect stage in my career to win the gold. I have even reassured my coaches and told them- don't worry, I will win the Olympic gold. Pro boxing has made me a more confident boxer. There is no substitute for hard work.

<img alt="Vikas Krishnan" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="eaaadc13-58ca-494d-932d-4f97450ecd3d" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_APH1243398.jpg" />

DSD: How has Vikas the boxer changed from the 2016 Olympics in Rio?

Vikas Krishan Yadav: This is a totally different version of Vikas Yadav. Just like the software operating systems get upgraded, I have also upgraded myself as a boxer and competitor in the last few years. Up until the Olympic qualifiers, I felt I was in top form and was the best version of myself as an athlete. Because of the break, I have lost a little bit of physical fitness, but I am confident I will be able to get in shape once the national camp resumes.

DSD: We have our best ever contingent in terms of numbers for the Olympics. &nbsp;I remember you telling me in Rio that to even qualify back then was like winning an Olympic medal, what has changed in Indian boxing in the last four years?

Vikas Krishan Yadav: The main factors have been the formation of the boxing federation of India and the change in the selection criteria. The national selection process has become more competitive in the last few years and has led to the growth of other Indian boxers. Earlier I was a little offended when I was also asked to be part of the trial process since I was the CWG gold medalist and Asian Games, medalist. However I realised that it could help me and the other Indian boxers, so I participated and eased through the trials.

DSD: What are the reasons for you changing your weight category so often in the last few years, now you have finally secured a quota in the 69kg event, how has that worked for you?

Vikas Krishan Yadav: I was very eager to compete in the 69kg category at the Rio Games as well, but my father pushed me to participate in the 75kg event. At the Rio Olympics, my weight was 71 kg when the tournament began, so I was fighting boxers who were much heavier than me. I felt it was an achievement to even reach the quarter-finals back then. I was never comfortable fighting in the 75kg event, it was only my father's wish.then my fellow boxer Neeraj Goyat convinced me to lose weight and prepare for the 69kg category, he made me believe that I could win the Olympic gold in that category. Even though I've won medals at the Asian games and commonwealth games in heavier weight categories, I don't want to take a chance at the Olympics, I want to give it all I've got in the 69kg event and overpower my opponents.

<img alt="Vikas Krishnan" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d3aa7415-b7b6-4206-bdff-f6d17f9e7eb4" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/remote%20%281%29.jpg" />

DSD: Let us talk about the road ahead now,&nbsp;you must have seen the new SOPs for resumption. How can boxers train without sparring?

Vikas Krishan Yadav: I haven't seen the guidelines, it is for the coaches and federation to evaluate the sops and then assess how training can resume. From my point of view, the boxing environment is the most important thing. An environment must be created for healthy, competitive training to drive my growth. It is difficult for me to train at home because that competitive environment is not there.

DSD: Isn't it important to be in a camp with 30-40 boxers, so that the competitive nature of the game is maintained...

Vikas Krishan Yadav: Absolutely. I haven't heard the word 'Olympics' in my house for the last three months, because mentally, I'm in a completely different space. Whereas when I'm in the camp, all I'm going to be thinking about is the Olympics. A boxer needs that constant healthy competition to maintain skill levels. The physical and mental training I undertake at the camp will be done with the single goal of winning the Olympic gold medal. 
&nbsp;

Gold medallist in Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and one of the finest pugilists in India, Vikas Krishan, in an exclusive interview with WION's Sports Editor, Digvijay Singh Deo, spoke about a lot of things ranging from training in lockdown, idea of quarantine camp for Olympic hopefuls, Tokyo Olympics and preparation for medal in the Games, change of weight-category, new SOPs for resumption and more.

Gold medallist in Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and one of the finest pugilists in India, Vikas Krishan, in an exclusive interview with WION's Sports Editor, Digvijay Singh Deo, spoke about a lot of things ranging from training in lockdown, idea of quarantine camp for Olympic hopefuls, Tokyo Olympics and preparation for medal in the Games, change of weight-category, new SOPs for resumption and more. Digvijay Singh Deo: Good to see you Vikas, how have you been through this period? Vikas Krishan Yadav: These last few months have been very tough, not just for me but all sportspersons in India. It has been difficult to deal with the sudden change of schedule. We athletes are used to following a disciplined lifestyle which is centred around our training, so adjusting during this period has been a mental challenge as well. DSD: I have been told that you are one of the few lucky ones to have managed to stay in shape during this period by training on your farm... Vikas Krishan Yadav: Yes, I was training for about a month with a friend of mine, who was helping me with my workouts. However, he is no longer in Bhiwani and I haven't trained properly since he left. Now, my mindset has changed and I'm spending some quality time with my family. When I returned home after securing my Olympic quota, I was extremely motivated and training very hard for the 2020 games. But once the postponement decision was made, I lost a little bit of focus and now I will have to re-work my plan. When my training partner was here, I had undertaken advanced training for professional boxing. Once international travel resumes, I plan to go to the USA to fight professionally. DSD: I was speaking to Vijender Singh last week and he felt that more than other sportspersons it is boxers like you who have been hit hard by the Olympic postponement.that the momentum you had built up right up to the qualifiers in Amman is now gone. Vikas Krishan Yadav: I had trained for 6 months leading up to the Olympic qualifiers and was in good mental and physical shape for the 2020 games. However, this forced break has taken away that momentum and now we have to recalibrate. It is possible to regain your physical fitness in a matter of 3-4 weeks, that is the relatively easy part, but the real challenge is to get back that competitive mindset. I feel I will only be able to work on my mental conditioning once the national camps resume. DSD: A lot of your teammates, in fact, have been inside the National Institute of Sports campus in Patiala, which has sort of becoming quarantine camp. Is it better to be in there safe from the virus or is it a sort of privileged house arrest? Vikas Krishan Yadav: I feel it is a personal choice for the boxers. My family means a lot to me and I decided it would be right for me to spend some time with them during this crisis. But now it has been three months and there are times when I have regretted being here because I haven't been able to train properly for the Olympics. However, I believe that things rarely go as planned and there are always roadblocks. Ideally, I would have liked to spend about a month at home and then returned to the national camp, but now it has been three months since this lockdown. I would now prefer to return to the national camp as soon as possible. Although we still have to follow the health guidelines of the government. I will adhere to the instructions of the authorities, but hopefully, the national camps will resume as soon as possible. DSD: One more year to prepare for Olympics Vikas, how do you change your preparation now. This changes your career road-map, you put your pro career on hold for the 2020 Olympics but how will you know to adjust between both? Vikas Krishan Yadav: The best thing for me is that I have already secured a quote for the Olympics and I have 14 months to prepare for the games. So I have enough time to regain my skills and get back to the professional circuit. Pro boxing is completely different from amateur sport, it has made me a more tough competitor. Last year I fought at new york's madison square garden, one of the most iconic sporting arenas in the world. So many experiences in the professional circuit have given me more confidence. To use an analogy, if pro boxing is equivalent to the 10th grade, then amateur boxing is like the 5th grade. So competing in the pro circuit has benefited me greatly and I saw the results at the South Asian games, even though the competition level wasn't that high, I eased to the title. All my coaches and peers have noticed a considerable improvement and I feel that I have elevated my game. Boxing is an art, which includes defence and attack, I feel I have been successful in executing that art form recently. DSD: I have known you since your junior days. The Olympics has been somewhat of an obsession for you, London was a bad memory and in Rio, you were almost there. How badly do you want it? Vikas Krishan Yadav: It's not merely a dream, I am going to win the Olympic gold medal and I will settle for nothing less than that, nothing can stop me. If I am not able to achieve the feat, I will live in regret for the rest of my life and keep dwelling on 'what could have been'. It will drive me crazy. I will not leave any stone unturned for the Olympics. I realise I made some mistakes for the last games, but now I feel I have matured and am at the perfect stage in my career to win the gold. I have even reassured my coaches and told them- don't worry, I will win the Olympic gold. Pro boxing has made me a more confident boxer. There is no substitute for hard work. DSD: How has Vikas the boxer changed from the 2016 Olympics in Rio? Vikas Krishan Yadav: This is a totally different version of Vikas Yadav. Just like the software operating systems get upgraded, I have also upgraded myself as a boxer and competitor in the last few years. Up until the Olympic qualifiers, I felt I was in top form and was the best version of myself as an athlete. Because of the break, I have lost a little bit of physical fitness, but I am confident I will be able to get in shape once the national camp resumes. DSD: We have our best ever contingent in terms of numbers for the Olympics. I remember you telling me in Rio that to even qualify back then was like winning an Olympic medal, what has changed in Indian boxing in the last four years? Vikas Krishan Yadav: The main factors have been the formation of the boxing federation of India and the change in the selection criteria. The national selection process has become more competitive in the last few years and has led to the growth of other Indian boxers. Earlier I was a little offended when I was also asked to be part of the trial process since I was the CWG gold medalist and Asian Games, medalist. However I realised that it could help me and the other Indian boxers, so I participated and eased through the trials. DSD: What are the reasons for you changing your weight category so often in the last few years, now you have finally secured a quota in the 69kg event, how has that worked for you? Vikas Krishan Yadav: I was very eager to compete in the 69kg category at the Rio Games as well, but my father pushed me to participate in the 75kg event. At the Rio Olympics, my weight was 71 kg when the tournament began, so I was fighting boxers who were much heavier than me. I felt it was an achievement to even reach the quarter-finals back then. I was never comfortable fighting in the 75kg event, it was only my father's wish.then my fellow boxer Neeraj Goyat convinced me to lose weight and prepare for the 69kg category, he made me believe that I could win the Olympic gold in that category. Even though I've won medals at the Asian games and commonwealth games in heavier weight categories, I don't want to take a chance at the Olympics, I want to give it all I've got in the 69kg event and overpower my opponents. DSD: Let us talk about the road ahead now, you must have seen the new SOPs for resumption. How can boxers train without sparring? Vikas Krishan Yadav: I haven't seen the guidelines, it is for the coaches and federation to evaluate the sops and then assess how training can resume. From my point of view, the boxing environment is the most important thing. An environment must be created for healthy, competitive training to drive my growth. It is difficult for me to train at home because that competitive environment is not there. DSD: Isn't it important to be in a camp with 30-40 boxers, so that the competitive nature of the game is maintained... Vikas Krishan Yadav: Absolutely. I haven't heard the word 'Olympics' in my house for the last three months, because mentally, I'm in a completely different space. Whereas when I'm in the camp, all I'm going to be thinking about is the Olympics. A boxer needs that constant healthy competition to maintain skill levels. The physical and mental training I undertake at the camp will be done with the single goal of winning the Olympic gold medal.

Vikas: Not winning the Olympic Gold will drive me crazy

One of the youngest stars of Indian sport and world no. 2 in Women’s 10-metre air pistol event in shooting, Manu Bhaker, in an exclusive interview with WION’s Sports Editor, Digvijay Singh Deo, spoke about things ranging from life in lockdown, technology in training, Tokyo Olympic postponement, bonding with Saurabh Chaudhary, idea of quarantine camp for Olympic hopefuls, and more.

Digvijay Singh Deo: How has life been for you Manu away from the hustle and bustle of Delhi that you had gotten used to over the last couple of years since you broke into the Indian team...

Manu Bhaker: I think I'm enjoying the lockdown here with my family. I do miss the shooting range, but not the hustle and bustle of Delhi, I'm delighted to be here in Charkhi Dadri.

DSD: So how have you been keeping yourself busy during this period, I imagine you must be using this time to catch up on your college studies.

Manu Bhaker: Yes, I love to study and have been doing that a lot lately. Apart from that, I'm also training regularly, so my shooting hasn't suffered to a great extent.

DSD: I was told that initially shooting was a bit of an issue, but you now have an electronic target installed and training has begun, how was that transition from a paper target to an electronic target?

Manu Bhaker: It was a massive relief when the electronic target was installed at home. It was a long wait, but I'm delighted that I now have access to technology. I'm definitely more comfortable shooting with an electronic target, as compared to a paper target. The paper target scores are also accurate, but I prefer using the electronic one.

DSD: What is your thought process at the moment while shooting. Is it just to maintain your skill levels and stay in touch with the game?

Manu Bhaker: I am working on a few weaknesses in my game, apart from that I'm just trying to train the same way i used to before the lockdown. I'm trying to cope with the situation in the best way I can and hopefully, there won't be a drop in the level of my performances in the future.

<img alt="Manu Bhaker" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b107f960-c3ba-4758-b574-a550948d6105" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_18F90E.jpg" />

DSD: What are the issues you have been working on, has this break given you an opportunity to improve certain aspects of your game?

Manu Bhaker: I haven't been home for such an extended period of time in the last three years. In a way that has given me time to work on my fundamentals- my balance, stability and follow through.&nbsp;

DSD: You must have been in touch with your coaches through this period. What has coach Jaspal Rana been telling you and how regularly are you staying in touch with him and the rest.

Manu Bhaker: Yes, I have communicated with him during this period whenever I have needed any assistance, but we aren't in touch on a daily basis.

DSD: You just turned 18 a short while back, but you have already won so much in your sport. Considering the fantastic year you had in 2018 and 2019, how did you react to the Olympic postponement, did you feel like you could win the gold for India?

Manu Bhaker: That's a tricky question. I was certainly in good form leading up to the games, but so were many other shooters. I felt like I was mentally prepared for the event to take place in 2020 and it was very disappointing for me when the postponement announcement was made, but I realise that there was no other option available to the international Olympic committee. Health has to take priority over everything else. We will get chances in the future to represent India at the games and hopefully, we will be able to maintain our performance levels.

DSD: How do you refocus now with the Olympics 14 months away, do you think it gives you a chance to expand on your shooting knowledge or is it wiser not to change things right now and continue with what was working for you.

Manu Bhaker: I'm just going with the flow. I don't think I need to bring in substantial changes to my game, I'm satisfied with my equipment as well. I was extremely excited about the events leading up to the original 2020 Olympics- the Munich World Cup, Delhi World Cup and various test events. It would have been an opportunity for me to gear up for the games. Those events were obviously cancelled and the shooting calendar has been almost wiped out, however, I don't see any reason to make considerable changes to my game during this enforced break.

DSD: Its been a meteoric rise since you won that gold in Mexico and the thing I have noticed with you is this love for competition and also winning. Right now there is no competition scheduled till the end of the year. So how do you compensate for the lack of action?

Manu Bhaker: I'm not really craving for competition at the moment, so I'm not undertaking high-intensity training sessions right now. I'm just trying to maintain my form. Before the lockdown, I used to train for 8-10 hours a day at the Karni Singh shooting range in Delhi, whereas now that time has reduced to four hours a day on an average. This will also enable me to recover from my niggles and injuries and put me in the best position to perform at a high level when international events resume.

DSD: Now ever since you picked up the gun you have been shooting non-stop, how frustrating has this hiatus been for you considering it has now almost been three months.

Manu Bhaker: I just can't wait for this lockdown period to get over. I am eagerly waiting for the health situation to improve and the national camps to begin so that I can return to some sort of normalcy.

<img alt="Manu Bhaker" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f4de107d-0560-4ef4-aac1-05d42685eafa" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_18F90I.jpg" />

DSD: You have been shooting some of these online competitions. Does it give you that same rush of shooting a proper event because where is the pressure, where is the drama that only competition can give?

Manu Bhaker: Online competitions definitely help in maintaining your skills. I would say that the pressure of competing in the same and there is still a desire to win. However, because there are no ranking points on the line and no medals up for grabs, it does affect your approach to the event. I've participated in a few of these competitions but I have missed a few of late since I have been busier with my college work.

DSD: A&nbsp;lot of your fellow Olympic quota winners are pretty young. Have you been in touch with any of them and how are they coping?

Manu Bhaker: I haven't really had the opportunity to be in touch with them since I have mostly been busy with my shooting training and college work.

DSD: A&nbsp;lot of your success in world shooting has also come in the mixed event. Now usually in a team sport, you depend on your partner, here the dynamics are different but yet you and Sourabh Chaudhary have sort of mastered this event.

Manu Bhaker: I just focus on my performance. I have faith in his ability, but I approach the mixed event the same way i approach an individual event and that has seemed to work for me so far.

DSD: Were you surprised with the level of domination you and Sourabh Chaudhary had in the mixed event in the World Cups.

Manu Bhaker: We shot world record scores at the Delhi World Cup, Asian Championships and the Munich World Cup last year. Even at the Rio World Cup, we made a brilliant comeback to win the title. It is truly remarkable that we won all four ISSF World Cup mixed team titles last year and I'm thrilled about it. It is difficult for me to put in words how delighted I am.

DSD: Now the thing I have noticed is that you are more of an extrovert than Saurabh who hardly speaks at all. So how do team dynamics work here?

Manu Bhaker: There is hardly any communication between us. We sometimes don't even greet each other when we meet, but that is how the dynamic is and both of us are comfortable with that. He and I are different individuals, but there is no problem with the team. Even when we set the world record, there was hardly any conversation between the two of us. In fact, I haven't seen Saurabh talk to anyone in the shooing team. He is an introvert and that's just the way it is.

<img alt="Manu Bhaker" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d66909bb-15eb-47ea-a359-6c5be49fc257" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_13T02I_0.jpg" />

DSD: You have achieved a lot in your career at such a young age, but it's nice to see that it hasn't changed how you are as a person, you always have your India colours on at public gatherings.

Manu Bhaker: I love my country and its people. Even in most of the functions, i prefer wearing my Team India attire. I have worn a dress at very few gatherings, only when the occasion requires me to do so.

DSD: Will you be thinking of moving to a national camp soon or do you think it is safer for you to continue training at home?

Manu Bhaker: Given the current situation, I definitely think it would be safer to stay home and train. If the camps are organised, they would probably be in Delhi or Bhopal, where the number of coronavirus cases is very high. So at the moment, I am happy to train at home.

DSD: When do you think you will feel comfortable in attending a national camp?

Manu Bhaker: I think no player will feel safe in attending a national camp till the coronavirus is contained to a considerable extent. Players will not be able to focus on their game if they are constantly worried about their health and safety. Players have to be free of mental anguish to be able to train at a high level.

DSD: There has been talk of the NRAI organising a quarantine camp where everyone stays at one place and trains with limited interaction, would you be comfortable in an environment like that?

Manu Bhaker: The idea of a quarantine camp does sound encouraging, but even in that environment, there will be people who will be moving in and out of the area, which could possibly be a danger.

DSD: At some point, do you feel like you will have to take some sort of a risk and head out to a camp, especially when the Olympics are approaching...

Manu Bhaker: If the federation does organise a camp, I hope it is only for the Olympic quota holders. We have to ensure that there are a minimum number of people in these camps so that the risk of the virus spreading is mitigated.

DSD: Do you think the NRAI&nbsp;should declare the Olympic team now so that all of you can be relaxed and focus...

Manu Bhaker: I firmly believe that the team should be announced because it would give us shooters some clarity and help us prepare better for the games. All us shooters are just waiting for the team to be announced and it will be a big relief for everyone involved. Mentally as well, it will be reassuring and will give a direction to our plans for the Tokyo Olympics.

One of the youngest stars of Indian sport and world no. 2 in Women’s 10-metre air pistol event in shooting, Manu Bhaker, in an exclusive interview with WION’s Sports Editor, Digvijay Singh Deo, spoke about things ranging from life in lockdown, technology in training, Tokyo Olympic postponement, bonding with Saurabh Chaudhary, idea of quarantine camp for Olympic hopefuls, and more.

One of the youngest stars of Indian sport and world no. 2 in Women’s 10-metre air pistol event in shooting, Manu Bhaker, in an exclusive interview with WION’s Sports Editor, Digvijay Singh Deo, spoke about things ranging from life in lockdown, technology in training, Tokyo Olympic postponement, bonding with Saurabh Chaudhary, idea of quarantine camp for Olympic hopefuls, and more. Digvijay Singh Deo: How has life been for you Manu away from the hustle and bustle of Delhi that you had gotten used to over the last couple of years since you broke into the Indian team... Manu Bhaker: I think I'm enjoying the lockdown here with my family. I do miss the shooting range, but not the hustle and bustle of Delhi, I'm delighted to be here in Charkhi Dadri. DSD: So how have you been keeping yourself busy during this period, I imagine you must be using this time to catch up on your college studies. Manu Bhaker: Yes, I love to study and have been doing that a lot lately. Apart from that, I'm also training regularly, so my shooting hasn't suffered to a great extent. DSD: I was told that initially shooting was a bit of an issue, but you now have an electronic target installed and training has begun, how was that transition from a paper target to an electronic target? Manu Bhaker: It was a massive relief when the electronic target was installed at home. It was a long wait, but I'm delighted that I now have access to technology. I'm definitely more comfortable shooting with an electronic target, as compared to a paper target. The paper target scores are also accurate, but I prefer using the electronic one. DSD: What is your thought process at the moment while shooting. Is it just to maintain your skill levels and stay in touch with the game? Manu Bhaker: I am working on a few weaknesses in my game, apart from that I'm just trying to train the same way i used to before the lockdown. I'm trying to cope with the situation in the best way I can and hopefully, there won't be a drop in the level of my performances in the future. DSD: What are the issues you have been working on, has this break given you an opportunity to improve certain aspects of your game? Manu Bhaker: I haven't been home for such an extended period of time in the last three years. In a way that has given me time to work on my fundamentals- my balance, stability and follow through. DSD: You must have been in touch with your coaches through this period. What has coach Jaspal Rana been telling you and how regularly are you staying in touch with him and the rest. Manu Bhaker: Yes, I have communicated with him during this period whenever I have needed any assistance, but we aren't in touch on a daily basis. DSD: You just turned 18 a short while back, but you have already won so much in your sport. Considering the fantastic year you had in 2018 and 2019, how did you react to the Olympic postponement, did you feel like you could win the gold for India? Manu Bhaker: That's a tricky question. I was certainly in good form leading up to the games, but so were many other shooters. I felt like I was mentally prepared for the event to take place in 2020 and it was very disappointing for me when the postponement announcement was made, but I realise that there was no other option available to the international Olympic committee. Health has to take priority over everything else. We will get chances in the future to represent India at the games and hopefully, we will be able to maintain our performance levels. DSD: How do you refocus now with the Olympics 14 months away, do you think it gives you a chance to expand on your shooting knowledge or is it wiser not to change things right now and continue with what was working for you. Manu Bhaker: I'm just going with the flow. I don't think I need to bring in substantial changes to my game, I'm satisfied with my equipment as well. I was extremely excited about the events leading up to the original 2020 Olympics- the Munich World Cup, Delhi World Cup and various test events. It would have been an opportunity for me to gear up for the games. Those events were obviously cancelled and the shooting calendar has been almost wiped out, however, I don't see any reason to make considerable changes to my game during this enforced break. DSD: Its been a meteoric rise since you won that gold in Mexico and the thing I have noticed with you is this love for competition and also winning. Right now there is no competition scheduled till the end of the year. So how do you compensate for the lack of action? Manu Bhaker: I'm not really craving for competition at the moment, so I'm not undertaking high-intensity training sessions right now. I'm just trying to maintain my form. Before the lockdown, I used to train for 8-10 hours a day at the Karni Singh shooting range in Delhi, whereas now that time has reduced to four hours a day on an average. This will also enable me to recover from my niggles and injuries and put me in the best position to perform at a high level when international events resume. DSD: Now ever since you picked up the gun you have been shooting non-stop, how frustrating has this hiatus been for you considering it has now almost been three months. Manu Bhaker: I just can't wait for this lockdown period to get over. I am eagerly waiting for the health situation to improve and the national camps to begin so that I can return to some sort of normalcy. DSD: You have been shooting some of these online competitions. Does it give you that same rush of shooting a proper event because where is the pressure, where is the drama that only competition can give? Manu Bhaker: Online competitions definitely help in maintaining your skills. I would say that the pressure of competing in the same and there is still a desire to win. However, because there are no ranking points on the line and no medals up for grabs, it does affect your approach to the event. I've participated in a few of these competitions but I have missed a few of late since I have been busier with my college work. DSD: A lot of your fellow Olympic quota winners are pretty young. Have you been in touch with any of them and how are they coping? Manu Bhaker: I haven't really had the opportunity to be in touch with them since I have mostly been busy with my shooting training and college work. DSD: A lot of your success in world shooting has also come in the mixed event. Now usually in a team sport, you depend on your partner, here the dynamics are different but yet you and Sourabh Chaudhary have sort of mastered this event. Manu Bhaker: I just focus on my performance. I have faith in his ability, but I approach the mixed event the same way i approach an individual event and that has seemed to work for me so far. DSD: Were you surprised with the level of domination you and Sourabh Chaudhary had in the mixed event in the World Cups. Manu Bhaker: We shot world record scores at the Delhi World Cup, Asian Championships and the Munich World Cup last year. Even at the Rio World Cup, we made a brilliant comeback to win the title. It is truly remarkable that we won all four ISSF World Cup mixed team titles last year and I'm thrilled about it. It is difficult for me to put in words how delighted I am. DSD: Now the thing I have noticed is that you are more of an extrovert than Saurabh who hardly speaks at all. So how do team dynamics work here? Manu Bhaker: There is hardly any communication between us. We sometimes don't even greet each other when we meet, but that is how the dynamic is and both of us are comfortable with that. He and I are different individuals, but there is no problem with the team. Even when we set the world record, there was hardly any conversation between the two of us. In fact, I haven't seen Saurabh talk to anyone in the shooing team. He is an introvert and that's just the way it is. DSD: You have achieved a lot in your career at such a young age, but it's nice to see that it hasn't changed how you are as a person, you always have your India colours on at public gatherings. Manu Bhaker: I love my country and its people. Even in most of the functions, i prefer wearing my Team India attire. I have worn a dress at very few gatherings, only when the occasion requires me to do so. DSD: Will you be thinking of moving to a national camp soon or do you think it is safer for you to continue training at home? Manu Bhaker: Given the current situation, I definitely think it would be safer to stay home and train. If the camps are organised, they would probably be in Delhi or Bhopal, where the number of coronavirus cases is very high. So at the moment, I am happy to train at home. DSD: When do you think you will feel comfortable in attending a national camp? Manu Bhaker: I think no player will feel safe in attending a national camp till the coronavirus is contained to a considerable extent. Players will not be able to focus on their game if they are constantly worried about their health and safety. Players have to be free of mental anguish to be able to train at a high level. DSD: There has been talk of the NRAI organising a quarantine camp where everyone stays at one place and trains with limited interaction, would you be comfortable in an environment like that? Manu Bhaker: The idea of a quarantine camp does sound encouraging, but even in that environment, there will be people who will be moving in and out of the area, which could possibly be a danger. DSD: At some point, do you feel like you will have to take some sort of a risk and head out to a camp, especially when the Olympics are approaching... Manu Bhaker: If the federation does organise a camp, I hope it is only for the Olympic quota holders. We have to ensure that there are a minimum number of people in these camps so that the risk of the virus spreading is mitigated. DSD: Do you think the NRAI should declare the Olympic team now so that all of you can be relaxed and focus... Manu Bhaker: I firmly believe that the team should be announced because it would give us shooters some clarity and help us prepare better for the games. All us shooters are just waiting for the team to be announced and it will be a big relief for everyone involved. Mentally as well, it will be reassuring and will give a direction to our plans for the Tokyo Olympics.

Manu Bhaker: No player will feel safe at a camp at the moment

Former Commonwealth Games gold medalist and current shooting high-performance manager, Ronak Pandit, in an exclusive interview with WION's Sports Editor, Digvijay Singh Deo, spoke about life in lockdown, SAI's SOPs, how Indian shooters can regain momentum, Tokyo Olympics and roadmap for 2024 Olympics, how shooting can come back to life ahead of 2021 Games and much more.

Digvijay Singh Deo: Ronak,&nbsp;how has life in the lockdown been for you in Pune, would have preferred to be at your family home in Mumbai or is this better?

Ronak Pandit: I think the lockdown hasn't been easy for anyone. Fortunately, I got back home to my wife, Heena Sidhu, just two days before the lockdown started. This period has actually been a blessing in disguise because it has given us time to reflect and introspect, which we are otherwise not able to do because of our busy schedules.

DSD: You have always been a very energetic chap so I am curious to know how you would have reacted to being indoors for such a long period...

Ronak Pandit: I think one of the virtues that shooting teaches us is patience and now is the time to make use of it. Heena and I have been channelling our energy and been putting it to some constructive use. There has been a major change in our schedule as well, we go to sleep by about 9-9:30 pm and wake up at 4:30 am. We have changed our routine and used our time to do something productive. Heena has been training as well, we are working on some technical aspects of her game, which we otherwise wouldn't have had time to address. We keep complaining about the high number of tournaments in the calendar, so now is the time to go back to the drawing board and work on the fundamentals of the sport.

<img alt="Ronak Pandit and Heena Sidhu" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b8d24e52-b999-4a45-9906-e2c844820edd" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_13V5NS.jpg" />

DSD: Now with the SOPs gradually coming out for the resumption of sport you will probably have to coordinate between coaches and shooters to come up with a road-map for Tokyo 2021.

Ronak Pandit: Yes, we've had at least six meetings with the federation, the Sports Authority of India, coaches and players on the road-map for the future. I think this is an unprecedented crisis and there is a lot of uncertainty with regard to the coronavirus. No one really knows when we will be able to return to our normal lives and there is also a possibility of a second wave in the near future. So we have prepared three contingency plans in place and have been coordinating regularly with the various stakeholders of the game. We have also ensured that top shooters have access to the necessary equipment which allows them to set up temporary ranges at home. Hence the shooters will be able to keep in touch with the game on some level and they will find it easier to return to their peak when things open up.

DSD: I'm going to ask you a direct question, is it possible for Indian shooting to regain momentum for the Olympics. We were looking at a possible medal haul of around 3-5 medals had the Olympics been held as per schedule, so how big a hit is this break for Indian shooting?

Ronak Pandit: I think it's a huge setback, not only for Indian shooting but for everyone else in the world. It's like working on a very important presentation on your laptop and suddenly it crashes. Then you have no option but to start from scratch. However I believe that we have dealt with the situation in the best possible way, we are relatively better prepared than most other countries. As Indians, we are used to constantly adapting to the changing circumstances.we have never achieved anything the easy way and that has taught us to always find a solution to the problem. We have been in constant communication with the shooters, so they know what is in the pipeline. We have been conducting weekly training sessions with them and tracking their scores in some of the online competitions. We haven't created a very hectic schedule, as it is also important for them to get some downtime. The tables have completely turned because earlier shooters used to complain about their lack of rest because of the gruelling schedule, but now there is no competition on the cards. It is difficult for shooters to keep their motivation levels high with nothing to work towards, but overall they have dealt well with the crisis.

DSD: Both Manavjit Sandhu and Abhinav Bindra seemed to suggest that it is the more experienced and older athletes who will negotiate this period better. Most of the Indian Olympic quota holders are all first-timers. Is that a big worry and what is the way around it?

Ronak Pandit: I would actually look at it differently. The experienced shooters are used to a certain calendar every year, their body and mind are tuned to that annual schedule which has been built over many years, so this sudden break will affect them to a great extent. Whereas the younger generation, who has been competing internationally for just two years, is untroubled. This break doesn't really matter to them because they just want to compete and win medals at the highest level, whether that be tomorrow or next year. Our young shooters have dominated the sport recently and they are fearless. They are full of energy and just desperate to be at the Olympics. So their enthusiasm is their biggest advantage. Their hunger has not been diminished by this break and they are still headed in the right direction. The theory might suggest that the older ones will deal with this crisis better, but personally I fell the young shooters are better equipped to overcome this roadblock.

<img alt="HEENA SIDHU AND MANU BHAKER" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9c2aa09d-da58-469d-87f5-552e101bbaec" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_13T062.jpg" />

DSD: Just from experience Ronak, shooting should be a sport that is easy to resume as it is highly individualised while social distancing is also easy to enforce.

Ronak Pandit: Absolutely, I don't see any major reason not to resume training or competitions anytime soon. Shooters can occupy alternate lanes at ranges and the intervals between relays can be increased so that one batch has enough time to vacate the premises before the next group arrives. The number of participants in an event will have to be reduced and if some other policy tweaks are made, then we should be back competing very soon. There is no contact and no sharing of equipment, so the risk of transmission is minimal in the sport.

DSD: Is it time for tough decisions in your sport. Does the NRAI need to prioritise the Olympic team for the next 6 months and forget about everyone else till a vaccine is found? It's not ideal but you can't have 10,000 people at nationals.

Ronak Pandit: I think we have to be more far-sighted in our planning. We cannot just prepare the 15 shooters for the 2021 Tokyo Olympics and ignore the other shooting talent in the country. The quota places for the next Olympics will be up for grabs just 6 months after the Tokyo Games and we must have a plan that ensures we succeed in the long term and not just at the 2021 games. Obviously we don't need to focus on 10,000 shooters but I also see no reason to only use our resources for the development of 15 shooters. I think we can easily work with about the top 150 shooters at this point. If the lockdown continues into June and July, we have identified shooting ranges which are near to the shooters' respective houses all over the country and made special provisions for them to train. We have also made it possible for the 10-metre event shooters to set up a facility at their houses. If we work with a larger pool of shooters, it will considerably improve our chances of maintaining high levels of performance in the future.

DSD: Will the logistics be the bigger problem now, getting everyone together, interaction with coaches. A big takeaway from Rio debacle was the need to constantly monitor athletes. Does it make sense to organise isolated camps for shooters from different events?

Ronak Pandit: Right now the interaction between the shooters and coaches is limited to online video conferences. Once movement is allowed, we will have to mobilise the shooters at one location for training. We are trying to decide on the venue of these camps because it will also take time for us to figure out the logistics. I don't think it will be possible for us to hold separate camps for different events because the coaches have to supervise shooters at all times, otherwise there is no point of holding the camp. We are hoping to get these camps up and running in early August.

DSD: As someone mandated to keep tabs on high performance, how do you ensure shooters maintain their competitive edge without any competition...

Ronak Pandit: If we are able to start our training camps in August, then I feel we will have enough time to get our shooters ready for the Olympics. At the moment, we are only focussing on the Olympics and not any other competition, so we don't need our shooters to reach their peak in say, December. Once we get back to the camps, &nbsp;the coaches will decide which shooters will begin competition preparation after a certain point of time, it is a long process. It will take time for the players to get back in the zone. I think it will be better for shooters to work on the basics in the first few months, when some minor goal-oriented training can take place. I have no doubt in my mind that if we start training in august, then by December our shooters will be close to their peak.

DSD: Now NRAI had a selection policy in place. But can rankings of 2018 be taken to select a team for an event in 2021? Should there not be a revised policy now?

Ronak Pandit: I think the existing policy got us some great results and we definitely had the best possible team for the original 2020 Olympics. However, after the postponement, we do need to take another look at the criteria to ensure the best team goes to the 2021 games. It is also a moral question, because the 15 shooters that were in line to compete at the 2020 games, had proven themselves at the highest level over the last few years and thoroughly deserved their spot in the team. So in that sense, it is difficult to question their merit. But the fact is that a lot can change in the space of 6 months to a year. We have seen so many shooters excel at major events in a particular year and then suffer a meltdown the next year. I think that the original 15 shooters should be given all the support they need by the NRAI, but the federation should also keep an eye on the performance of the other shooters. That is the suggestion I have given to the NRAI. If those 15 shooters are still the best in January or February 2021, then that should be the final team. At the end of the day, the best shooters should represent India at the Olympics.

<img alt="Saurabh Chaudhary and Abhishek Verma" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="75ec19a3-d4f6-446c-bf7a-5bccfd1ddb2a" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_18I253.jpg" />

DSD: Shooting is in a great position because more than 95 per cent of the Olympic berths have been secured. Considering social distancing and quarantine regulations, should the field be limited at events next year leading up to the Olympics. Maybe 2 member teams per event like we see at the Commonwealth Games.

Ronak Pandit: Absolutely. I believe only those shooters who have qualified for the Olympics should be allowed to participate in the events leading up to the games. There will be some major changes that will need to take place in the 2021 events as well for competitions to take place. We might have to conduct competitions simultaneously in safe zones and ISSF observers could monitor the scores at these events to ensure fair-play. Overall, we must adapt to the circumstances otherwise I see 2021 also being a washout year for shooting. 
&nbsp;

Former Commonwealth Games gold medalist and current shooting high-performance manager, Ronak Pandit, in an exclusive interview with WION's Sports Editor, Digvijay Singh Deo, spoke about life in lockdown, SAI's SOPs, how Indian shooters can regain momentum, Tokyo Olympics and roadmap for 2024 Olympics, how shooting can come back to life ahead of 2021 Games and much more.

Former Commonwealth Games gold medalist and current shooting high-performance manager, Ronak Pandit, in an exclusive interview with WION's Sports Editor, Digvijay Singh Deo, spoke about life in lockdown, SAI's SOPs, how Indian shooters can regain momentum, Tokyo Olympics and roadmap for 2024 Olympics, how shooting can come back to life ahead of 2021 Games and much more. Digvijay Singh Deo: Ronak, how has life in the lockdown been for you in Pune, would have preferred to be at your family home in Mumbai or is this better? Ronak Pandit: I think the lockdown hasn't been easy for anyone. Fortunately, I got back home to my wife, Heena Sidhu, just two days before the lockdown started. This period has actually been a blessing in disguise because it has given us time to reflect and introspect, which we are otherwise not able to do because of our busy schedules. DSD: You have always been a very energetic chap so I am curious to know how you would have reacted to being indoors for such a long period... Ronak Pandit: I think one of the virtues that shooting teaches us is patience and now is the time to make use of it. Heena and I have been channelling our energy and been putting it to some constructive use. There has been a major change in our schedule as well, we go to sleep by about 9-9:30 pm and wake up at 4:30 am. We have changed our routine and used our time to do something productive. Heena has been training as well, we are working on some technical aspects of her game, which we otherwise wouldn't have had time to address. We keep complaining about the high number of tournaments in the calendar, so now is the time to go back to the drawing board and work on the fundamentals of the sport. DSD: Now with the SOPs gradually coming out for the resumption of sport you will probably have to coordinate between coaches and shooters to come up with a road-map for Tokyo 2021. Ronak Pandit: Yes, we've had at least six meetings with the federation, the Sports Authority of India, coaches and players on the road-map for the future. I think this is an unprecedented crisis and there is a lot of uncertainty with regard to the coronavirus. No one really knows when we will be able to return to our normal lives and there is also a possibility of a second wave in the near future. So we have prepared three contingency plans in place and have been coordinating regularly with the various stakeholders of the game. We have also ensured that top shooters have access to the necessary equipment which allows them to set up temporary ranges at home. Hence the shooters will be able to keep in touch with the game on some level and they will find it easier to return to their peak when things open up. DSD: I'm going to ask you a direct question, is it possible for Indian shooting to regain momentum for the Olympics. We were looking at a possible medal haul of around 3-5 medals had the Olympics been held as per schedule, so how big a hit is this break for Indian shooting? Ronak Pandit: I think it's a huge setback, not only for Indian shooting but for everyone else in the world. It's like working on a very important presentation on your laptop and suddenly it crashes. Then you have no option but to start from scratch. However I believe that we have dealt with the situation in the best possible way, we are relatively better prepared than most other countries. As Indians, we are used to constantly adapting to the changing circumstances.we have never achieved anything the easy way and that has taught us to always find a solution to the problem. We have been in constant communication with the shooters, so they know what is in the pipeline. We have been conducting weekly training sessions with them and tracking their scores in some of the online competitions. We haven't created a very hectic schedule, as it is also important for them to get some downtime. The tables have completely turned because earlier shooters used to complain about their lack of rest because of the gruelling schedule, but now there is no competition on the cards. It is difficult for shooters to keep their motivation levels high with nothing to work towards, but overall they have dealt well with the crisis. DSD: Both Manavjit Sandhu and Abhinav Bindra seemed to suggest that it is the more experienced and older athletes who will negotiate this period better. Most of the Indian Olympic quota holders are all first-timers. Is that a big worry and what is the way around it? Ronak Pandit: I would actually look at it differently. The experienced shooters are used to a certain calendar every year, their body and mind are tuned to that annual schedule which has been built over many years, so this sudden break will affect them to a great extent. Whereas the younger generation, who has been competing internationally for just two years, is untroubled. This break doesn't really matter to them because they just want to compete and win medals at the highest level, whether that be tomorrow or next year. Our young shooters have dominated the sport recently and they are fearless. They are full of energy and just desperate to be at the Olympics. So their enthusiasm is their biggest advantage. Their hunger has not been diminished by this break and they are still headed in the right direction. The theory might suggest that the older ones will deal with this crisis better, but personally I fell the young shooters are better equipped to overcome this roadblock. DSD: Just from experience Ronak, shooting should be a sport that is easy to resume as it is highly individualised while social distancing is also easy to enforce. Ronak Pandit: Absolutely, I don't see any major reason not to resume training or competitions anytime soon. Shooters can occupy alternate lanes at ranges and the intervals between relays can be increased so that one batch has enough time to vacate the premises before the next group arrives. The number of participants in an event will have to be reduced and if some other policy tweaks are made, then we should be back competing very soon. There is no contact and no sharing of equipment, so the risk of transmission is minimal in the sport. DSD: Is it time for tough decisions in your sport. Does the NRAI need to prioritise the Olympic team for the next 6 months and forget about everyone else till a vaccine is found? It's not ideal but you can't have 10,000 people at nationals. Ronak Pandit: I think we have to be more far-sighted in our planning. We cannot just prepare the 15 shooters for the 2021 Tokyo Olympics and ignore the other shooting talent in the country. The quota places for the next Olympics will be up for grabs just 6 months after the Tokyo Games and we must have a plan that ensures we succeed in the long term and not just at the 2021 games. Obviously we don't need to focus on 10,000 shooters but I also see no reason to only use our resources for the development of 15 shooters. I think we can easily work with about the top 150 shooters at this point. If the lockdown continues into June and July, we have identified shooting ranges which are near to the shooters' respective houses all over the country and made special provisions for them to train. We have also made it possible for the 10-metre event shooters to set up a facility at their houses. If we work with a larger pool of shooters, it will considerably improve our chances of maintaining high levels of performance in the future. DSD: Will the logistics be the bigger problem now, getting everyone together, interaction with coaches. A big takeaway from Rio debacle was the need to constantly monitor athletes. Does it make sense to organise isolated camps for shooters from different events? Ronak Pandit: Right now the interaction between the shooters and coaches is limited to online video conferences. Once movement is allowed, we will have to mobilise the shooters at one location for training. We are trying to decide on the venue of these camps because it will also take time for us to figure out the logistics. I don't think it will be possible for us to hold separate camps for different events because the coaches have to supervise shooters at all times, otherwise there is no point of holding the camp. We are hoping to get these camps up and running in early August. DSD: As someone mandated to keep tabs on high performance, how do you ensure shooters maintain their competitive edge without any competition... Ronak Pandit: If we are able to start our training camps in August, then I feel we will have enough time to get our shooters ready for the Olympics. At the moment, we are only focussing on the Olympics and not any other competition, so we don't need our shooters to reach their peak in say, December. Once we get back to the camps, the coaches will decide which shooters will begin competition preparation after a certain point of time, it is a long process. It will take time for the players to get back in the zone. I think it will be better for shooters to work on the basics in the first few months, when some minor goal-oriented training can take place. I have no doubt in my mind that if we start training in august, then by December our shooters will be close to their peak. DSD: Now NRAI had a selection policy in place. But can rankings of 2018 be taken to select a team for an event in 2021? Should there not be a revised policy now? Ronak Pandit: I think the existing policy got us some great results and we definitely had the best possible team for the original 2020 Olympics. However, after the postponement, we do need to take another look at the criteria to ensure the best team goes to the 2021 games. It is also a moral question, because the 15 shooters that were in line to compete at the 2020 games, had proven themselves at the highest level over the last few years and thoroughly deserved their spot in the team. So in that sense, it is difficult to question their merit. But the fact is that a lot can change in the space of 6 months to a year. We have seen so many shooters excel at major events in a particular year and then suffer a meltdown the next year. I think that the original 15 shooters should be given all the support they need by the NRAI, but the federation should also keep an eye on the performance of the other shooters. That is the suggestion I have given to the NRAI. If those 15 shooters are still the best in January or February 2021, then that should be the final team. At the end of the day, the best shooters should represent India at the Olympics. DSD: Shooting is in a great position because more than 95 per cent of the Olympic berths have been secured. Considering social distancing and quarantine regulations, should the field be limited at events next year leading up to the Olympics. Maybe 2 member teams per event like we see at the Commonwealth Games. Ronak Pandit: Absolutely. I believe only those shooters who have qualified for the Olympics should be allowed to participate in the events leading up to the games. There will be some major changes that will need to take place in the 2021 events as well for competitions to take place. We might have to conduct competitions simultaneously in safe zones and ISSF observers could monitor the scores at these events to ensure fair-play. Overall, we must adapt to the circumstances otherwise I see 2021 also being a washout year for shooting.

Ronak Pandit: Tokyo postponement should not stop planning for 2024 Olympics

Eight-time Commonwealth Games and two-time Asian Game medalist, Indian table-tennis icon Achanta Sharath Kamal, in an exclusive interview with WION's Sports Editor, Digvijay Singh Deo, spoke about life in lockdown, future of table tennis, travelling abroad for tournaments after COVID-19 crisis, Tokyo Olympics, his medal-laden career, the concept of quarantine camp, and much more.

Digvijay Singh Deo: I must say Sharath, I have been seeing a lot of you addressing webinars through this crisis. Seems like you have been keeping busy.

Sharath Kamal: I feel it is the responsibility of the senior athletes to guide the others through these tough times, so I've been trying to help them through webinars. There is a lot of uncertainty and anxiety about the future and there is a need to motivate people and spread positive messages.

DSD: Has it been frustrating not being able to play and adjusting to this new phase?

Sharath Kamal: Yes, initially it was very frustrating. For the first week of the lockdown, I failed to accept the situation and hence found it very tough to deal with. It was very frustrating to not be able to go out and train. But then I realised that there is no point dwelling on the things that I cannot control. Now, I follow a training schedule with whatever resources I have and play a little bit of table tennis at my mother's house since there is a table at her place. Also, it was tough to deal with the postponement of the Tokyo Olympics, because I was in good form leading up to the games and my world ranking had improved to 31.

DSD: This forced break came at a crucial time for you when you were carrying some momentum and were going to take it into the Olympic qualifiers, in a way you have to start from scratch for the 2021 Olympics.

Sharath Kamal: The sportsperson's body is like a sports car. The moment you stop taking care of it, it gets rusty and doesn't perform. In terms of our preparation for the games, we have to go back to the drawing board, so it is a mental challenge as well. We will need a couple of months of training and a few matches under our belt to figure out what the best way is to prepare for the games. It is definitely going to be an uphill task. The only positive is that all the athletes around the world are in the same boat.

DSD: I did see some visuals of your teammate Sathiyan Gnanasekaran practising on a home table with a robot machine he had imported. Technology has been a boon through this process, be it communication or even playing.

Sharath Kamal: I feel one must find a way to keep in touch with the sport. There is a lot of skill involved in racket sports and a player must not lose the feel of the game. One must not allow skill levels to drop to a great extent, otherwise, it will be very tough for the player when the sport resumes. It is important to train, but high-level training is only possible when you have a goal in mind and something to work towards. As of now, there is no schedule of tournaments and we have no idea when the sport will resume.

DSD: For an elite player like you, how long do you think it will take to return to peak match fitness?

Sharath Kamal: I have been participating in webinars with some fitness experts, and they believe that it will take athletes at least 3 months to regain even 80% of their mental and physical fitness. This is an unprecedented crisis and no one really has concrete answers. In the past, I have been out of action for six months due to injury, but that situation was completely different because I was working on rehabilitation and had a goal to work towards. This period is just filled with uncertainty.

<img alt="Achanta Sharath Kamal" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="03a22508-9390-4c4c-b3c8-b759e5b113b6" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_18Q65C.jpg" />

DSD: You are soon to turn 38 but that hasn’t slowed you down, look around you and there is a generation of golden oldies going very strong in Indian sport be it Mary Kom, Rohan Bopanna or even the biggest of them all Leander Paes. What is the secret of this longevity, there are some who believe that it is the older and wiser heads who will be able to adapt better once action resumes.

Sharath Kamal: Yes, that is possible. However, there have been other reports as well, which make the point that older athletes might lose motivation because of the break. I have been taking an annual one month break for the last 3-4 years. At my age, I think it is important to take a mental and physical break and it also allows me to spend some time with my family. I try to unwind during that period and come back with a fresh mentality. The advantage that I have, being an experienced player, is that I know what parts of my game I will work on once I return. It will be impossible to cover every aspect of your game in the limited time which we will get for preparation. &nbsp;There is a broad plan that I have in mind and I will work in that direction. Mostly, I will look to sharpen my strengths rather than work on my weaknesses.

DSD: Sharath as one of the senior-most players in the world and with a young family have you thought about travelling abroad for tournaments. It’s a tough situation to be in isn't it especially with rankings so important to the Olympic qualifying process.

Sharath Kamal: Yes, in fact, I was dealing with the very same problem in March. My family advised me against travelling for the Oman Open because the coronavirus had started spreading rapidly at that time. Even though the risk of transmission was high at the airports, I went for the tournament against my family's wishes because it was important for me to get some match practice ahead of the Olympic qualifiers, which were scheduled for April at the time. That dilemma is bound to come up again in the near future. However, the priority must be the safety and health of me and my family. I have decided that I will not travel abroad for any tournament at least till September and the way things are going I doubt if any event will take place till then. There is also a question mark over whether international travel will be allowed in the near future and if it is, what will be the quarantine laws for athletes? There is really no point of me travelling to another country if I have to spend two weeks in quarantine before a particular tournament.

DSD: There is talk of international tournaments abandoning the doubles and mixed doubles format for the time being. Isn't that completely unfair on specialist players. The IOC says all sports should be fair to athletes and how is this a fair process?

Sharath Kamal: I don't know why they took that decision. Mixed doubles is an Olympic event, while the men's and women's doubles are also part of the team championships at the Olympics. I fail to see the sense behind a ban on those events since the Olympics are only a year away. Manika Batra and I have a fair chance of qualifying for the Games, we won the bronze medal at the Asian games and we have a small chance of winning a medal at the Olympics as well. So it's not fair to scrap those events. Also, when we travel to tournaments, we anyway spend a lot of time together during our travel and meals. I am bound to be in contact with say, Sathiyan or Manika, so what difference does it make if we play a doubles match together?

<img alt="Achanta Sharath Kamal" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="86836054-d721-4d19-88e6-d947c8f1ed2b" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_18P8SZ.jpg" />

DSD: Has the pandemic forced international bodies into panic mode. Table tennis isn't a contact sport and as long as players are tested regularly and the playing arena is sanitised, it shouldn't be a problem...

Sharath Kamal: I was watching the German Bundesliga the other day and the substitutes were sitting on the bench while maintaining social distancing measures. I fail to understand the point of such a measure when there are 22 players on the football field who are constantly coming in contact with each other. This is an example of a decision that is just taken for the public perception of safety. The Badminton World Federation also just put out dates for the tournaments without having a clear plan in mind, we have no idea what travel restrictions will be put in place in the future I think every sporting body needs to have contingency plans in place for the calendar. In table tennis, the World Championships, which were initially scheduled in March, can be pushed back to the latter part of the year, since it is an important tournament. But there is no point preparing a schedule in panic mode.

DSD: It felt like a threshold had been crossed by Indian table tennis at the Asian Games in 2018 with you and Manika Batra winning a mixed bronze, has it given you the confidence to challenge for medals at the Olympics and World Championships.

Sharath Kamal: Absolutely, it was a huge boost for us to win a medal at the Asian Games, which has traditionally been dominated by countries like China, Japan and South Korea. These are the powerhouses of the sport and it was great to be at the podium. I should really hand it to Manika Batra, she was playing some truly outstanding table tennis during that mixed doubles event. I would say she played even better than what she did at the Commonwealth Games. She was able to carry her form from the CWG to the Asian games. Earlier, we were just hoping for a good performance when we went to the Olympics, but now we actually believe we can win a medal for the country. The image of Indian table tennis has changed in the entire world. Many international players wouldn't know the names of the Indian opponents, but all that has changed now. &nbsp;They know exactly who they are facing and Indian players are seen as serious competition. So, there has been a major change in the perception of Indian table tennis.

DSD: What is the change Sharath, you have been toiling hard on the international tour for 2 decades now and finally last 2-3 years the breakthrough has happened. How close are we to a World Championship and Olympic medal now?

Sharath Kamal: There have been a lot of changes that have been made in Indian tennis over the last few years. Before the Commonwealth Games in 2006, I decided to play in Europe and hence my game improved a lot. I think after that a lot of Indian youngsters started playing in European countries and that considerably raised the level of Indian table tennis. &nbsp;Four Indian paddlers secured their place at the Olympics for the first time at the 2016 Rio Games and that led to an increase in funding for the sport. We then hired top quality foreign coaches, who along with the table tennis federation of India and the sports authority of India, came up with a long-term plan. Now, there is a structure in place which allows us, Indian players, to travel abroad and get access to the best facilities for high-level performances at global events.

The franchise-based Ultimate Table Tennis League, which started in 2017, was also a game-changer. It allowed young Indian players to compete and train with the best in the world. I went to Europe so that I could play with the best in the business and now the young Indian players have the opportunity of doing just that in India itself. Sathiyan Gnanasekaran and Manika Batra were the finds of the 2017 edition of the league. Then in 2018, Archana Kamath and Manav Thakkar emerged as strong talents, Thakkar is world no.1 in the U-21 category. Being a senior player, I made it a point to guide and mentor these youngsters. When I was young, I felt my development would have been fast-tracked if had a senior to show me the ropes. I think it was a huge advantage that I was able to pass on my experience, while still competing with them. Initially, they were a bit wary of the fact that I was giving them advice, while still being their opponent, but they gradually understood the point of the guidance and learnt to accept it that way.

DSD: Now training protocols have been announced by sports authority of India and you were asked if you wanted to join a national camp but the players have refused now. What is the road ahead, when do you think you will be able to return to training in groups?

Sharath Kamal: At the moment, training in groups is a big no. The guidelines that SAI came up with were for the athletes who were already at the facilities during the lockdown. They have invited us to camps, but at the moment there is no point of attending those them because we don't know when the next tournament will be held. I think it is unsafe for us to travel to any SAI facility. We as athletes need to wait for another month at least before we resume training in groups at any facility. Sathiyan and I live in the same city, but at the moment I don't think it will be wise for us to venture out given the rise in the number of cases in Chennai.

<img alt="Achanta Sharath Kamal" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="1b9f62fb-6e70-442e-8d3a-ea8e8bca40a4" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_Hkg2335562.jpg" />

DSD: Does the concept of a quarantine camp work for you where everyone is together in a sanitised environment or there can be no substitute for tournament play...

Sharath Kamal:&nbsp;I think when we speak about quarantine camps, the players aren't the only ones who need to be protected, there will be multiple staff present at the venue and there will always be a worry about the health and safety of all the personnel at the facility. It is very hard to focus on your training when you don't feel completely secure, that worry will always be there at the back of your mind. We still need to wait for things to improve before making a proper decision.

DSD: Would you be willing to head to the Olympics if no vaccine is found by then and should the Olympics then go ahead as many are now fearing.

Sharath Kamal: At a mega-event like the Olympics, social distancing is virtually impossible because there are so many people at the village. I think it is highly unlikely that the Olympics will take place without a vaccine. If that is the case, it will be a huge setback for me personally because I don't know if I will still be playing when the next Games happen in 2024. So I really hope a vaccine is developed soon, not just for selfish reasons, but also for the good of humanity.

Eight-time Commonwealth Games and two-time Asian Game medalist, Indian table-tennis icon Achanta Sharath Kamal, in an exclusive interview with WION's Sports Editor, Digvijay Singh Deo, spoke about life in lockdown, future of table tennis, travelling abroad for tournaments after COVID-19 crisis, Tokyo Olympics, his medal-laden career, the concept of quarantine camp, and much more.

Eight-time Commonwealth Games and two-time Asian Game medalist, Indian table-tennis icon Achanta Sharath Kamal, in an exclusive interview with WION's Sports Editor, Digvijay Singh Deo, spoke about life in lockdown, future of table tennis, travelling abroad for tournaments after COVID-19 crisis, Tokyo Olympics, his medal-laden career, the concept of quarantine camp, and much more. Digvijay Singh Deo: I must say Sharath, I have been seeing a lot of you addressing webinars through this crisis. Seems like you have been keeping busy. Sharath Kamal: I feel it is the responsibility of the senior athletes to guide the others through these tough times, so I've been trying to help them through webinars. There is a lot of uncertainty and anxiety about the future and there is a need to motivate people and spread positive messages. DSD: Has it been frustrating not being able to play and adjusting to this new phase? Sharath Kamal: Yes, initially it was very frustrating. For the first week of the lockdown, I failed to accept the situation and hence found it very tough to deal with. It was very frustrating to not be able to go out and train. But then I realised that there is no point dwelling on the things that I cannot control. Now, I follow a training schedule with whatever resources I have and play a little bit of table tennis at my mother's house since there is a table at her place. Also, it was tough to deal with the postponement of the Tokyo Olympics, because I was in good form leading up to the games and my world ranking had improved to 31. DSD: This forced break came at a crucial time for you when you were carrying some momentum and were going to take it into the Olympic qualifiers, in a way you have to start from scratch for the 2021 Olympics. Sharath Kamal: The sportsperson's body is like a sports car. The moment you stop taking care of it, it gets rusty and doesn't perform. In terms of our preparation for the games, we have to go back to the drawing board, so it is a mental challenge as well. We will need a couple of months of training and a few matches under our belt to figure out what the best way is to prepare for the games. It is definitely going to be an uphill task. The only positive is that all the athletes around the world are in the same boat. DSD: I did see some visuals of your teammate Sathiyan Gnanasekaran practising on a home table with a robot machine he had imported. Technology has been a boon through this process, be it communication or even playing. Sharath Kamal: I feel one must find a way to keep in touch with the sport. There is a lot of skill involved in racket sports and a player must not lose the feel of the game. One must not allow skill levels to drop to a great extent, otherwise, it will be very tough for the player when the sport resumes. It is important to train, but high-level training is only possible when you have a goal in mind and something to work towards. As of now, there is no schedule of tournaments and we have no idea when the sport will resume. DSD: For an elite player like you, how long do you think it will take to return to peak match fitness? Sharath Kamal: I have been participating in webinars with some fitness experts, and they believe that it will take athletes at least 3 months to regain even 80% of their mental and physical fitness. This is an unprecedented crisis and no one really has concrete answers. In the past, I have been out of action for six months due to injury, but that situation was completely different because I was working on rehabilitation and had a goal to work towards. This period is just filled with uncertainty. DSD: You are soon to turn 38 but that hasn’t slowed you down, look around you and there is a generation of golden oldies going very strong in Indian sport be it Mary Kom, Rohan Bopanna or even the biggest of them all Leander Paes. What is the secret of this longevity, there are some who believe that it is the older and wiser heads who will be able to adapt better once action resumes. Sharath Kamal: Yes, that is possible. However, there have been other reports as well, which make the point that older athletes might lose motivation because of the break. I have been taking an annual one month break for the last 3-4 years. At my age, I think it is important to take a mental and physical break and it also allows me to spend some time with my family. I try to unwind during that period and come back with a fresh mentality. The advantage that I have, being an experienced player, is that I know what parts of my game I will work on once I return. It will be impossible to cover every aspect of your game in the limited time which we will get for preparation. There is a broad plan that I have in mind and I will work in that direction. Mostly, I will look to sharpen my strengths rather than work on my weaknesses. DSD: Sharath as one of the senior-most players in the world and with a young family have you thought about travelling abroad for tournaments. It’s a tough situation to be in isn't it especially with rankings so important to the Olympic qualifying process. Sharath Kamal: Yes, in fact, I was dealing with the very same problem in March. My family advised me against travelling for the Oman Open because the coronavirus had started spreading rapidly at that time. Even though the risk of transmission was high at the airports, I went for the tournament against my family's wishes because it was important for me to get some match practice ahead of the Olympic qualifiers, which were scheduled for April at the time. That dilemma is bound to come up again in the near future. However, the priority must be the safety and health of me and my family. I have decided that I will not travel abroad for any tournament at least till September and the way things are going I doubt if any event will take place till then. There is also a question mark over whether international travel will be allowed in the near future and if it is, what will be the quarantine laws for athletes? There is really no point of me travelling to another country if I have to spend two weeks in quarantine before a particular tournament. DSD: There is talk of international tournaments abandoning the doubles and mixed doubles format for the time being. Isn't that completely unfair on specialist players. The IOC says all sports should be fair to athletes and how is this a fair process? Sharath Kamal: I don't know why they took that decision. Mixed doubles is an Olympic event, while the men's and women's doubles are also part of the team championships at the Olympics. I fail to see the sense behind a ban on those events since the Olympics are only a year away. Manika Batra and I have a fair chance of qualifying for the Games, we won the bronze medal at the Asian games and we have a small chance of winning a medal at the Olympics as well. So it's not fair to scrap those events. Also, when we travel to tournaments, we anyway spend a lot of time together during our travel and meals. I am bound to be in contact with say, Sathiyan or Manika, so what difference does it make if we play a doubles match together? DSD: Has the pandemic forced international bodies into panic mode. Table tennis isn't a contact sport and as long as players are tested regularly and the playing arena is sanitised, it shouldn't be a problem... Sharath Kamal: I was watching the German Bundesliga the other day and the substitutes were sitting on the bench while maintaining social distancing measures. I fail to understand the point of such a measure when there are 22 players on the football field who are constantly coming in contact with each other. This is an example of a decision that is just taken for the public perception of safety. The Badminton World Federation also just put out dates for the tournaments without having a clear plan in mind, we have no idea what travel restrictions will be put in place in the future I think every sporting body needs to have contingency plans in place for the calendar. In table tennis, the World Championships, which were initially scheduled in March, can be pushed back to the latter part of the year, since it is an important tournament. But there is no point preparing a schedule in panic mode. DSD: It felt like a threshold had been crossed by Indian table tennis at the Asian Games in 2018 with you and Manika Batra winning a mixed bronze, has it given you the confidence to challenge for medals at the Olympics and World Championships. Sharath Kamal: Absolutely, it was a huge boost for us to win a medal at the Asian Games, which has traditionally been dominated by countries like China, Japan and South Korea. These are the powerhouses of the sport and it was great to be at the podium. I should really hand it to Manika Batra, she was playing some truly outstanding table tennis during that mixed doubles event. I would say she played even better than what she did at the Commonwealth Games. She was able to carry her form from the CWG to the Asian games. Earlier, we were just hoping for a good performance when we went to the Olympics, but now we actually believe we can win a medal for the country. The image of Indian table tennis has changed in the entire world. Many international players wouldn't know the names of the Indian opponents, but all that has changed now. They know exactly who they are facing and Indian players are seen as serious competition. So, there has been a major change in the perception of Indian table tennis. DSD: What is the change Sharath, you have been toiling hard on the international tour for 2 decades now and finally last 2-3 years the breakthrough has happened. How close are we to a World Championship and Olympic medal now? Sharath Kamal: There have been a lot of changes that have been made in Indian tennis over the last few years. Before the Commonwealth Games in 2006, I decided to play in Europe and hence my game improved a lot. I think after that a lot of Indian youngsters started playing in European countries and that considerably raised the level of Indian table tennis. Four Indian paddlers secured their place at the Olympics for the first time at the 2016 Rio Games and that led to an increase in funding for the sport. We then hired top quality foreign coaches, who along with the table tennis federation of India and the sports authority of India, came up with a long-term plan. Now, there is a structure in place which allows us, Indian players, to travel abroad and get access to the best facilities for high-level performances at global events. The franchise-based Ultimate Table Tennis League, which started in 2017, was also a game-changer. It allowed young Indian players to compete and train with the best in the world. I went to Europe so that I could play with the best in the business and now the young Indian players have the opportunity of doing just that in India itself. Sathiyan Gnanasekaran and Manika Batra were the finds of the 2017 edition of the league. Then in 2018, Archana Kamath and Manav Thakkar emerged as strong talents, Thakkar is world no.1 in the U-21 category. Being a senior player, I made it a point to guide and mentor these youngsters. When I was young, I felt my development would have been fast-tracked if had a senior to show me the ropes. I think it was a huge advantage that I was able to pass on my experience, while still competing with them. Initially, they were a bit wary of the fact that I was giving them advice, while still being their opponent, but they gradually understood the point of the guidance and learnt to accept it that way. DSD: Now training protocols have been announced by sports authority of India and you were asked if you wanted to join a national camp but the players have refused now. What is the road ahead, when do you think you will be able to return to training in groups? Sharath Kamal: At the moment, training in groups is a big no. The guidelines that SAI came up with were for the athletes who were already at the facilities during the lockdown. They have invited us to camps, but at the moment there is no point of attending those them because we don't know when the next tournament will be held. I think it is unsafe for us to travel to any SAI facility. We as athletes need to wait for another month at least before we resume training in groups at any facility. Sathiyan and I live in the same city, but at the moment I don't think it will be wise for us to venture out given the rise in the number of cases in Chennai. DSD: Does the concept of a quarantine camp work for you where everyone is together in a sanitised environment or there can be no substitute for tournament play... Sharath Kamal: I think when we speak about quarantine camps, the players aren't the only ones who need to be protected, there will be multiple staff present at the venue and there will always be a worry about the health and safety of all the personnel at the facility. It is very hard to focus on your training when you don't feel completely secure, that worry will always be there at the back of your mind. We still need to wait for things to improve before making a proper decision. DSD: Would you be willing to head to the Olympics if no vaccine is found by then and should the Olympics then go ahead as many are now fearing. Sharath Kamal: At a mega-event like the Olympics, social distancing is virtually impossible because there are so many people at the village. I think it is highly unlikely that the Olympics will take place without a vaccine. If that is the case, it will be a huge setback for me personally because I don't know if I will still be playing when the next Games happen in 2024. So I really hope a vaccine is developed soon, not just for selfish reasons, but also for the good of humanity.

Sharath Kamal: Social distancing impossible at the Olympics

Former Canadian tennis ace and a legend of the game with 12 Grand Slam Doubles titles, an Olympic Gold medal to his name, Daniel Nestor, in an exclusive interview with WION’s Sports Editor, Digvijay Singh Deo, spoke about life in lockdown, tennis calendar, merger between ATP and WTA, partnership with Leander Paes and Rohan Bopanna, Bryan brothers, and much more…

Digvijay Singh Deo: Daniel Nestor,thank you for joining me, what have these last couple of months been like for you? Have you had a lot of restrictions to deal with?

Daniel Nestor: The restrictions here in Toronto haven't been quite as strict as the ones you see in India. There have been a few cases that have been reported, but now the situation is improving and things are slowly starting to open up. Hopefully we will continue to move in that direction and return to some sort of normalcy.

DSD: How have you been spending your time in these circumstances? Have you taken up a hobby or something?

Daniel Nestor: I have been trying to keep in shape, so I go for regular runs in the neighbourhood. Fortunately, we have some friends in our area so there is some amount of social interaction. Our dog also keeps us busy. Overall, our lifestyle has certainly changed in the last two months.

DSD: The number of coronavirus cases in Canada has risen to over 85,000 now, but importantly the death toll isn't that high in comparison to neighbours USA, what is it in your opinion that the health authorities have done well...

Daniel Nestor: We have been fortunate, but there has been a slight rise in cases after the relaxation of certain restrictions. It is too early right now to give a verdict on how Canada has handled the crisis, hopefully, we will be able to contain the virus to a considerable extent in the near future.

DSD: A&nbsp;lot of praise also coming for the Canadian government, for the economic support they have provided the citizens during the crisis.

Daniel Nestor:&nbsp;Yes, the government has provided some sort of stimulus to those who are in need. However, unemployment has increased &nbsp;and a number of small businesses have suffered. Hopefully, those affected will be able to weather the storm and get their livelihoods back soon.

<img alt="Daniel Nestor" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3e781a2f-9fde-4bed-a7eb-77c68b6e3a6b" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_LE9LZ.jpg" />

DSD: You retired only a couple of years ago after a remarkably long career - 28 years, 91 titles, a ridiculous amount of travel. Are you happy to not have to think about all that anymore? Or do you miss it sometimes?

Daniel Nestor: During a crisis like this, I think I am fortunate to be with my family. Back when I was playing, I did enjoy the 'jet-setting' aspect of our profession. I appreciated the fact that we could travel the world while competing at the highest level. But other things, I did not enjoy as much, it was always difficult to say goodbye to the family and I was a bit of a nervous flyer as well. So I'm just grateful to be home right now. It hasn't been a huge adjustment for me during this lockdown period because I am a homebody. I'm glad I can spend some time with my kids, they have certainly enjoyed being at home and not going to school.

DSD: I mentioned the travel and globetrotting for a reason.we know that the tennis calendar for this season has been decimated by the virus pandemic...It's a massive loss for the sport, isn't it? From usually having tournaments every single week all over the world to none at all till at least august as things stand.

Daniel Nestor: Tennis is such a global sport, events take place all over the world during the season and that is precisely why I&nbsp;don't see the sport resuming anytime soon. With the prevailing circumstances and quarantine protocols, I don't see how international travel will be possible during the crisis. The NBA and NFL are in discussions to hold their seasons at just one venue, with all the teams staying in one city, but I don't see how that is going to be possible in tennis. I think the US Open organisers are also trying to figure out a solution for the event. New york city has been devastated by the crisis, so the tournament could be held at the national tennis centre in Orlando. It would be great for the game of tennis to have a major tournament, but I understand that there are a lot of other factors that need to be considered.

DSD: The Tours remain suspended, but we're beginning to get a sense of what tennis might look like as we continue to deal with the pandemic.there have been some exhibition events in Europe, in the US and a big one planned in Canada next week as well featuring Bianca Andreescu among others. This is with all social distancing rules in place. I'm curious to know if you have seen any of them and what did you make of it - both as a former pro and as a fan watching the sport you love.

Daniel Nestor: From a player's perspective, it is definitely going to be strange playing in an empty stadium. Even practising social distancing at the venue and locker rooms is going to be hard, given the number of people present at a venue during a tournament. The fans at home will still be able to enjoy the game on tv, so at least they will get to see some action. Obviously the atmosphere will not be the same in an empty stadium, but that I think is the new norm for every sport. Watching the German Bundesliga has been a strange experience because we are not used to watching athletes compete without spectators. Hopefully, this will change soon and sport as we know it will return.

DSD: Roger Federer said earlier this week that he is really not keen on playing events if at least one-third to half of the stadium is not full. Players like Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi have said that they are often driven by the atmosphere that is created at the arenas, we know that tennis stars play training matches against each other quite often - but would it be a huge difference to have to do it in a tournament setting?

Daniel Nestor: I feel these are compromises that the sport will have to make. I know Leander Paes feeds off the crowd and he does like to mix things up during a match. He might have to get under the skin of his opponent to get motivated. I'm sure Leander, being a veteran, will find a way to keep himself going. Every sport has to adapt. Players have different approaches to the game and this change is probably going to affect some more so than others. I think the top players will make the necessary changes and find a way to maintain their levels, adaptability is the key.

<img alt="Daniel Nestor" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="6937c9b0-b3c0-4c9f-9aa2-73b9d0dfbffb" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_YO5GN.jpg" />

DSD: How do you think this break in tennis will impact the sport once it restarts.how much practice do you think the players will need before returning for a proper tournament - let us say the French Open which is on the cards in September-October... And especially the men, who have to play best-of-five sets...

Daniel Nestor:&nbsp;It's hard to imagine that a grand slam - the US Open- &nbsp;will be the first tournament after the coronavirus break. If that is the case then the scoring format would have to be modified. It is almost cruel to expect men's players to play the best of a five-set match without some preparation. There is the heat factor as well, temperatures are going to be soaring in new york city and even in Orlando, which is the alternative venue. Ideally, there should be a couple of tournaments before the US Open, but if it is the first tournament to be held after the break, then scoring changes will have to be made. I think there should an at least a month's notice for the players on the dates of these tournaments. I feel it is inevitable that there will be a lot of injuries when tennis resumes, but we have to try and limit that as much as possible.

DSD: Who do you expect to be able to handle this break better and hit the ground running? Is it the younger stars who are probably fitter and raring to go all the time - or the seasoned pros who have a lot of experience to fall back on and presumably a better understanding of their own bodies...

Daniel Nestor: You would expect the younger guys to be better equipped, but I'm not sure if that will be the case. Tennis has become more physically demanding over the years and the fitness levels of players have improved, you would hence expect the younger and fitter athletes to dominate the sport, but that obviously hasn't happened. I think the experienced players will be better prepared mentally, while the younger players will be in better physical shape, so it's going to be very interesting to see what happens when the sport resumes. If the US Open is the first tournament to be held and it is the best of a five-sets affair, then I believe the youngsters will have an edge. It is going to be very challenging to play long matches in those boiling conditions.

DSD: And just to follow up from that - there has been a lot of discussion about what this gap might mean for greats like Serena Williams or Roger Federer - who as we know are not getting any younger. Do you think an added year makes it tougher for them to win a slam title again - or the opposite - that they might actually benefit from a long period of rest and come back hungry and full of energy once tennis resumes.

Daniel Nestor: I'm not really sure how it is going to affect their respective careers, but it is definitely going to be a major challenge for them once things get up and running. I think both of them will find it tough at the US Open if it is the first tournament after the hiatus. Players, especially the older ones, need a few tournaments under their belt before the majors.

<img alt="Daniel Nestor" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b8e3b743-73d0-440a-9957-5e3981f3e745" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_Par7658273.jpg" />

DSD: Now, the big-three are all gunning for that grand slam titles record. Novak Djokovic, who just turned 33 recently, threw down the gauntlet this week - saying that he was confident that he would pass Federer and also break the record for the longest number 1 streak in singles history... With any other player, you might think - wait a minute, that's a big, bold prediction, but with how dominant Djokovic has shown he can be - it is hard to bet against him, isn't it?

Daniel Nestor: It is incredible what he's accomplished over the last decade. His record against Nadal and Federer is also remarkable. Djokovic is also the youngest and fittest of the big three, which will work to his advantage. Nadal used to be incredibly fit, but his knees have given him some problems recently. So you can't really doubt Djokovic's claims here. &nbsp;A lot also depends on Nadal's health, if he is able to keep fit then he could be able to win a couple of more french open titles. The Wimbledon cancellation was a huge setback for Federer, he is coming close to the age of 40 and there will come a time when he will need to make a decision on his career. I think it will take time for Djokovic to find the same level of form that he was showing earlier in the year, so it will be a challenge for him once the tour resumes.

DSD: We are still waiting for word on whether the US&nbsp;Open will go ahead. There are many reasons why we hope that tournament goes ahead - among them is because it is to be a farewell for a doubles team that you fought many memorable battles with over your career - the Bryan brothers. A&nbsp;career like theirs deserves that sort of home slam farewell, doesn't it?

Daniel Nestor: Yes, it would definitely be a fitting farewell for them both. I won't be surprised if they come back for the tournament next year if this year's event is cancelled. I'm not sure if they will have enough fuel in the tank to come back, but there is no doubt that the Bryan brothers have had amazing careers and they deserve a home slam farewell.

DSD: What was your relationship like with the Bryans and some of the other top men's teams of your playing time...Were you a competitive person, keeping your distance from rival players in a sense - a bit like Maria Sharapova - or was it a case of everyone being mates in the locker room?

Daniel Nestor: When I was younger, I definitely saw them more as rivals and opponents. But as I became a more experienced player, I learned to appreciate all aspects of the sport, including my rivals. They have my respect and my relationship with them has been a positive one. I had a lot of battles against them in my career, 59 to be exact. They are up 30-29, so they'll always have that edge over me. Like the Bryan brothers, Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi have also been great champions of the sport. It'll be great to see Leander have one more crack at a major tournament.

DSD: You are of course very well known to Indian audiences as well - having partnered both Leander Paes and Rohan Bopanna over your career and almost Mahesh Bhupathi as well at one point. Leander had announced this season as his last on the Tour...Are you surprised that he's managed to outdo even you in terms of longevity?

Daniel Nestor: Leander is very athletic and he's managed to outlast me. I was slowing down quite a bit towards the end of my career and that is bound to happen with age, so it's incredible to see him still playing. He's such a great champion and charismatic figure for the sport. He has always been a very entertaining player to watch and the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 will be a fitting end to his career. Even though we didn't play together very long, I thoroughly enjoyed my partnership with him. We should have probably teamed up earlier in our careers. Similarly, I loved playing with Rohan Bopanna, he's a very dynamic player and great shot-maker. Unfortunately, Mahesh and I were both left-sided specialists, so my partnership with him didn't work out, but he's obviously a great champion. I can see a bunch of talented players coming up in India and the sport has a bright future in the country.

DSD: Another topic I want to pick your brains on is this suggestion of a merger between the ATP and WTA tours. Many players have welcomed the idea, some notably haven't.tennis is a very lucrative, quite global sport already as things stand - would such a merger down the road be beneficial to both sets of players?

Daniel Nestor: I think there is talk of a merger between the WTA and the ATP tours, which will be great for the cities that will host the events, but that means that a lot of venues on the tour will lose out on tournaments. It is also going to be very difficult for the players on the Challenger Tour because those events will lose funding in terms of sponsorship and revenue. It is undoubtedly going to be a very challenging time for tennis, but it is going to be the same for everyone else in the world. We have to look at things in perspective. I think there are people who are suffering more in the world than professional athletes right now. I understand that players are desperate to get back out there, but they will still have the opportunity to compete at some point and the best will rise to the top, as they always have. I think the need of the hour is patience and perseverance.

<img alt="Daniel Nestor" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c157633e-f717-4d80-bf51-5bd8b139bf27" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_Hkg823140.jpg" />

DSD: One final question Daniel - the other day I saw all the top Canadian players get together for a group chat. Pospisil, Raonic, Shapovalov, Auger-Aliasime and the women too - Andreescu, Gabriella Dabrowski. You must be absolutely delighted with the depth of talent coming out of your country right now...

Daniel Nestor: Yes, it is definitely a great period for tennis in Canada. Who would have ever thought that we would be such a strong tennis nation, in both men's and women's events? I think Milos Raonic was a catalyst, his consistent singles performances on the ATP circuit instilled a sense of belief in youngsters across the country. Before Raonic, we never really had a top 20 or 30 player perform at that level. He and Vasek Pospisil kind of led the way for the younger generation. The younger crop of players, Shapovalov, Auger Aliassime and Andreescu have shown great promise and hopefully, they will continue to grow as professionals. They also have 10-15 years ahead of them and the sky is the limit.

The Canadian Tennis Federation also played a great role in their development .they hired international coaches, upgraded the facilities and provided players with whatever support they needed. However the federation is going through challenging times at the moment, they had to let some people go because of the coronavirus financial crisis and the rogers cup is not going to be held this year, so revenue generation might be a problem. Let's hope this crisis is overcome soon and then we can look ahead to a bright future. 
&nbsp;

Former Canadian tennis ace and a legend of the game with 12 Grand Slam Doubles titles, an Olympic Gold medal to his name, Daniel Nestor, in an exclusive interview with WION’s Sports Editor, Digvijay Singh Deo, spoke about life in lockdown, tennis calendar, merger between ATP and WTA, partnership with Leander Paes and Rohan Bopanna, Bryan brothers, and much more… Digvijay Singh Deo: Daniel Nestor,thank you for joining me, what have these last couple of months been like for you?

Former Canadian tennis ace and a legend of the game with 12 Grand Slam Doubles titles, an Olympic Gold medal to his name, Daniel Nestor, in an exclusive interview with WION’s Sports Editor, Digvijay Singh Deo, spoke about life in lockdown, tennis calendar, merger between ATP and WTA, partnership with Leander Paes and Rohan Bopanna, Bryan brothers, and much more… Digvijay Singh Deo: Daniel Nestor,thank you for joining me, what have these last couple of months been like for you? Have you had a lot of restrictions to deal with? Daniel Nestor: The restrictions here in Toronto haven't been quite as strict as the ones you see in India. There have been a few cases that have been reported, but now the situation is improving and things are slowly starting to open up. Hopefully we will continue to move in that direction and return to some sort of normalcy. DSD: How have you been spending your time in these circumstances? Have you taken up a hobby or something? Daniel Nestor: I have been trying to keep in shape, so I go for regular runs in the neighbourhood. Fortunately, we have some friends in our area so there is some amount of social interaction. Our dog also keeps us busy. Overall, our lifestyle has certainly changed in the last two months. DSD: The number of coronavirus cases in Canada has risen to over 85,000 now, but importantly the death toll isn't that high in comparison to neighbours USA, what is it in your opinion that the health authorities have done well... Daniel Nestor: We have been fortunate, but there has been a slight rise in cases after the relaxation of certain restrictions. It is too early right now to give a verdict on how Canada has handled the crisis, hopefully, we will be able to contain the virus to a considerable extent in the near future. DSD: A lot of praise also coming for the Canadian government, for the economic support they have provided the citizens during the crisis. Daniel Nestor: Yes, the government has provided some sort of stimulus to those who are in need. However, unemployment has increased and a number of small businesses have suffered. Hopefully, those affected will be able to weather the storm and get their livelihoods back soon. DSD: You retired only a couple of years ago after a remarkably long career - 28 years, 91 titles, a ridiculous amount of travel. Are you happy to not have to think about all that anymore? Or do you miss it sometimes? Daniel Nestor: During a crisis like this, I think I am fortunate to be with my family. Back when I was playing, I did enjoy the 'jet-setting' aspect of our profession. I appreciated the fact that we could travel the world while competing at the highest level. But other things, I did not enjoy as much, it was always difficult to say goodbye to the family and I was a bit of a nervous flyer as well. So I'm just grateful to be home right now. It hasn't been a huge adjustment for me during this lockdown period because I am a homebody. I'm glad I can spend some time with my kids, they have certainly enjoyed being at home and not going to school. DSD: I mentioned the travel and globetrotting for a reason.we know that the tennis calendar for this season has been decimated by the virus pandemic...It's a massive loss for the sport, isn't it? From usually having tournaments every single week all over the world to none at all till at least august as things stand. Daniel Nestor: Tennis is such a global sport, events take place all over the world during the season and that is precisely why I don't see the sport resuming anytime soon. With the prevailing circumstances and quarantine protocols, I don't see how international travel will be possible during the crisis. The NBA and NFL are in discussions to hold their seasons at just one venue, with all the teams staying in one city, but I don't see how that is going to be possible in tennis. I think the US Open organisers are also trying to figure out a solution for the event. New york city has been devastated by the crisis, so the tournament could be held at the national tennis centre in Orlando. It would be great for the game of tennis to have a major tournament, but I understand that there are a lot of other factors that need to be considered. DSD: The Tours remain suspended, but we're beginning to get a sense of what tennis might look like as we continue to deal with the pandemic.there have been some exhibition events in Europe, in the US and a big one planned in Canada next week as well featuring Bianca Andreescu among others. This is with all social distancing rules in place. I'm curious to know if you have seen any of them and what did you make of it - both as a former pro and as a fan watching the sport you love. Daniel Nestor: From a player's perspective, it is definitely going to be strange playing in an empty stadium. Even practising social distancing at the venue and locker rooms is going to be hard, given the number of people present at a venue during a tournament. The fans at home will still be able to enjoy the game on tv, so at least they will get to see some action. Obviously the atmosphere will not be the same in an empty stadium, but that I think is the new norm for every sport. Watching the German Bundesliga has been a strange experience because we are not used to watching athletes compete without spectators. Hopefully, this will change soon and sport as we know it will return. DSD: Roger Federer said earlier this week that he is really not keen on playing events if at least one-third to half of the stadium is not full. Players like Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi have said that they are often driven by the atmosphere that is created at the arenas, we know that tennis stars play training matches against each other quite often - but would it be a huge difference to have to do it in a tournament setting? Daniel Nestor: I feel these are compromises that the sport will have to make. I know Leander Paes feeds off the crowd and he does like to mix things up during a match. He might have to get under the skin of his opponent to get motivated. I'm sure Leander, being a veteran, will find a way to keep himself going. Every sport has to adapt. Players have different approaches to the game and this change is probably going to affect some more so than others. I think the top players will make the necessary changes and find a way to maintain their levels, adaptability is the key. DSD: How do you think this break in tennis will impact the sport once it restarts.how much practice do you think the players will need before returning for a proper tournament - let us say the French Open which is on the cards in September-October... And especially the men, who have to play best-of-five sets... Daniel Nestor: It's hard to imagine that a grand slam - the US Open- will be the first tournament after the coronavirus break. If that is the case then the scoring format would have to be modified. It is almost cruel to expect men's players to play the best of a five-set match without some preparation. There is the heat factor as well, temperatures are going to be soaring in new york city and even in Orlando, which is the alternative venue. Ideally, there should be a couple of tournaments before the US Open, but if it is the first tournament to be held after the break, then scoring changes will have to be made. I think there should an at least a month's notice for the players on the dates of these tournaments. I feel it is inevitable that there will be a lot of injuries when tennis resumes, but we have to try and limit that as much as possible. DSD: Who do you expect to be able to handle this break better and hit the ground running? Is it the younger stars who are probably fitter and raring to go all the time - or the seasoned pros who have a lot of experience to fall back on and presumably a better understanding of their own bodies... Daniel Nestor: You would expect the younger guys to be better equipped, but I'm not sure if that will be the case. Tennis has become more physically demanding over the years and the fitness levels of players have improved, you would hence expect the younger and fitter athletes to dominate the sport, but that obviously hasn't happened. I think the experienced players will be better prepared mentally, while the younger players will be in better physical shape, so it's going to be very interesting to see what happens when the sport resumes. If the US Open is the first tournament to be held and it is the best of a five-sets affair, then I believe the youngsters will have an edge. It is going to be very challenging to play long matches in those boiling conditions. DSD: And just to follow up from that - there has been a lot of discussion about what this gap might mean for greats like Serena Williams or Roger Federer - who as we know are not getting any younger. Do you think an added year makes it tougher for them to win a slam title again - or the opposite - that they might actually benefit from a long period of rest and come back hungry and full of energy once tennis resumes. Daniel Nestor: I'm not really sure how it is going to affect their respective careers, but it is definitely going to be a major challenge for them once things get up and running. I think both of them will find it tough at the US Open if it is the first tournament after the hiatus. Players, especially the older ones, need a few tournaments under their belt before the majors. DSD: Now, the big-three are all gunning for that grand slam titles record. Novak Djokovic, who just turned 33 recently, threw down the gauntlet this week - saying that he was confident that he would pass Federer and also break the record for the longest number 1 streak in singles history... With any other player, you might think - wait a minute, that's a big, bold prediction, but with how dominant Djokovic has shown he can be - it is hard to bet against him, isn't it? Daniel Nestor: It is incredible what he's accomplished over the last decade. His record against Nadal and Federer is also remarkable. Djokovic is also the youngest and fittest of the big three, which will work to his advantage. Nadal used to be incredibly fit, but his knees have given him some problems recently. So you can't really doubt Djokovic's claims here. A lot also depends on Nadal's health, if he is able to keep fit then he could be able to win a couple of more french open titles. The Wimbledon cancellation was a huge setback for Federer, he is coming close to the age of 40 and there will come a time when he will need to make a decision on his career. I think it will take time for Djokovic to find the same level of form that he was showing earlier in the year, so it will be a challenge for him once the tour resumes. DSD: We are still waiting for word on whether the US Open will go ahead. There are many reasons why we hope that tournament goes ahead - among them is because it is to be a farewell for a doubles team that you fought many memorable battles with over your career - the Bryan brothers. A career like theirs deserves that sort of home slam farewell, doesn't it? Daniel Nestor: Yes, it would definitely be a fitting farewell for them both. I won't be surprised if they come back for the tournament next year if this year's event is cancelled. I'm not sure if they will have enough fuel in the tank to come back, but there is no doubt that the Bryan brothers have had amazing careers and they deserve a home slam farewell. DSD: What was your relationship like with the Bryans and some of the other top men's teams of your playing time...Were you a competitive person, keeping your distance from rival players in a sense - a bit like Maria Sharapova - or was it a case of everyone being mates in the locker room? Daniel Nestor: When I was younger, I definitely saw them more as rivals and opponents. But as I became a more experienced player, I learned to appreciate all aspects of the sport, including my rivals. They have my respect and my relationship with them has been a positive one. I had a lot of battles against them in my career, 59 to be exact. They are up 30-29, so they'll always have that edge over me. Like the Bryan brothers, Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi have also been great champions of the sport. It'll be great to see Leander have one more crack at a major tournament. DSD: You are of course very well known to Indian audiences as well - having partnered both Leander Paes and Rohan Bopanna over your career and almost Mahesh Bhupathi as well at one point. Leander had announced this season as his last on the Tour...Are you surprised that he's managed to outdo even you in terms of longevity? Daniel Nestor: Leander is very athletic and he's managed to outlast me. I was slowing down quite a bit towards the end of my career and that is bound to happen with age, so it's incredible to see him still playing. He's such a great champion and charismatic figure for the sport. He has always been a very entertaining player to watch and the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 will be a fitting end to his career. Even though we didn't play together very long, I thoroughly enjoyed my partnership with him. We should have probably teamed up earlier in our careers. Similarly, I loved playing with Rohan Bopanna, he's a very dynamic player and great shot-maker. Unfortunately, Mahesh and I were both left-sided specialists, so my partnership with him didn't work out, but he's obviously a great champion. I can see a bunch of talented players coming up in India and the sport has a bright future in the country. DSD: Another topic I want to pick your brains on is this suggestion of a merger between the ATP and WTA tours. Many players have welcomed the idea, some notably haven't.tennis is a very lucrative, quite global sport already as things stand - would such a merger down the road be beneficial to both sets of players? Daniel Nestor: I think there is talk of a merger between the WTA and the ATP tours, which will be great for the cities that will host the events, but that means that a lot of venues on the tour will lose out on tournaments. It is also going to be very difficult for the players on the Challenger Tour because those events will lose funding in terms of sponsorship and revenue. It is undoubtedly going to be a very challenging time for tennis, but it is going to be the same for everyone else in the world. We have to look at things in perspective. I think there are people who are suffering more in the world than professional athletes right now. I understand that players are desperate to get back out there, but they will still have the opportunity to compete at some point and the best will rise to the top, as they always have. I think the need of the hour is patience and perseverance. DSD: One final question Daniel - the other day I saw all the top Canadian players get together for a group chat. Pospisil, Raonic, Shapovalov, Auger-Aliasime and the women too - Andreescu, Gabriella Dabrowski. You must be absolutely delighted with the depth of talent coming out of your country right now... Daniel Nestor: Yes, it is definitely a great period for tennis in Canada. Who would have ever thought that we would be such a strong tennis nation, in both men's and women's events? I think Milos Raonic was a catalyst, his consistent singles performances on the ATP circuit instilled a sense of belief in youngsters across the country. Before Raonic, we never really had a top 20 or 30 player perform at that level. He and Vasek Pospisil kind of led the way for the younger generation. The younger crop of players, Shapovalov, Auger Aliassime and Andreescu have shown great promise and hopefully, they will continue to grow as professionals. They also have 10-15 years ahead of them and the sky is the limit. The Canadian Tennis Federation also played a great role in their development .they hired international coaches, upgraded the facilities and provided players with whatever support they needed. However the federation is going through challenging times at the moment, they had to let some people go because of the coronavirus financial crisis and the rogers cup is not going to be held this year, so revenue generation might be a problem. Let's hope this crisis is overcome soon and then we can look ahead to a bright future.

Nestor: Break, heat and best of 5 sets will suit younger players at US Open

Arjuna awardee and Commonwealth gold-medallist, Parupalli Kashyap, in an exclusive interview with WION's Sports Editor, Digvijay Singh Deo, spoke on issues ranging from life under lockdown, new BWF calendar, Tokyo Olympic qualifiers, SOPs issued by SAI, getting back to peak fitness and much more.

Digvijay Singh Deo: Kashyap, good to see you as always, must say it has been a long time...

P Kashyap: Yes, it certainly has. I'm just hanging in there during the crisis. I've heard that training sessions have started all over the country, so just waiting for things to open up in Hyderabad.

DSD: So how have the last 2 months been for you, &nbsp;one of the sportspersons I interviewed for this series likened the present situation to being like a caged animal...

P Kashyap: Yes, I would say that is a nice way to put it. I have actually gone through different phases during this lockdown period. I injured my back in March and was initially very motivated to recover from that injury. So I was very disciplined with my physical training, doing two online sessions in a day. For about six weeks I stuck to that routine, but after that, the motivation levels naturally dropped and so did the intensity of my workout. It is difficult to keep up your physical fitness with no end goal in mind. Fortunately in the last ten days, I have been following some sort of fitness regime.

<img alt="Parupalli Kashyap" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="134ca9bc-20b7-4ba4-baa5-1fb34bd06501" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_1KQ9II.jpg" />

DSD: Your wife Saina Nehwal and you haven't been able to be together as she decided to be with her elderly parents during the initial phase of the lockdown and no one expected this to go on for 2 months now and counting.

P Kashyap: Yes, both of us thought it would be good for us to stay with our parents after coming back from All England Championships. &nbsp;A week after Saina and I returned to India, the lockdown was announced. So we haven't gotten the chance to see each other for the last two months. Some of the restrictions have been relaxed now, so we might be able to see each other later in the week.

DSD: A&nbsp;lot of athletes around the world like yourself are you used to training day in day out, how difficult is it then for you to come to grips with the current situation.

P Kashyap: Yes, it is extremely challenging for us athletes. I don't have access to the gym and have very limited training equipment at home, so it is difficult for me to do weight training as well. It is difficult to keep yourself motivated when you are not on the court every day. Even when we return to the court, it will have to be a slow process because it will take time for us to return to our peak fitness. Also for me personally, I'm not getting any younger, so I have to be very careful when I'm back out there.

DSD: You and a lot of other players have been extremely vocal in the criticism of the new calendar put out by the BWF, why do you think it is such an issue for the players?

P Kashyap: I was just looking to start a discussion among players on twitter regarding the new calendar. It's an extremely tight schedule, cramming 22 tournaments in 5 months. I'm not going to play each event, but even if I play 11-12 tournaments, the travel is going to be extremely hectic, given the current circumstances. The top ten players in the world might be able to skip some of the events, but players like me, who are ranked between 15-30, will look to play 300 &amp; 500-level tour events a well, which means we will hardly get a week's rest between events. Another disadvantage for us Indians is that we haven't even started our badminton training, whereas players in china and Taipei have been practising for the last one and a half months.

One of the main concerns we have is regarding the travel and quarantine laws of various countries. No clarity has been offered on the part of the BWF and we as players have no idea how long we will have to quarantine ourselves upon reaching a certain country. All of us want to get back to playing, but there needs to be more information provided to the players and it seems like the calendar has been prepared in haste. The first tournament on the tour is the Hyderabad open and the facilities haven't even opened up here, so it is difficult to believe that a tournament will be held in two months.

DSD: At the moment, the BWF haven't offered any safeguards for the players, it seems like they have just put out a calendar without careful consideration, they have put out a disclaimer that they cannot guarantee that every tournament they have announced will take place. Isn't that rather strange?

P Kashyap: Yes, there has to be a certain degree of clarity that has to be provided to the players. As of now, there have been no explanations or communication from the BWF since they put out the calendar. I am part of the athletes' commission, and I hope there will be some statement from the BWF soon on how they plan to hold the events and the measures they will take for the protection of the players. Right now, we haven't even started on-court training here in India, so it's difficult to think about participating in tournaments.

<img alt="Parupalli Kashyap" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0bbfab7c-3c7c-4bd4-934f-6cd40ae30f22" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_1F76M6.jpg" />

DSD: Now you are part of the athletes' commission, the question is were players across the world consulted before this calendar was announced?

P Kashyap: It doesn't seem like many players have any consulted. I would assume that the head of the athletes' commission would have been present at the meetings, but I cannot say for sure, hopefully, we will get an answer to all these questions soon. There needs to be a dialogue between the BWF and all the stakeholders of the sport. Every country is at a different stage of dealing with the coronavirus and that needs to be taken into consideration while planning the calendar. Players in China and south-east Asia have been training for the past one and half months, whereas we haven't even started, so it is not really a level playing field at the moment. I don't even know how international travel will even be possible in the current environment. I have asthma and I will certainly not feel comfortable travelling to another country until a vaccine is developed.

DSD: Would you have been more comfortable had a full schedule been laid down right till the 2021 Olympics, the problem with the calendar is that there is too much up in the air, instead of anything concrete.

P Kashyap: Absolutely, I understand this is a tough ask for the BWF, but we are dealing with an unprecedented crisis. I am sure they are trying to figure out the future plan, but I don't think releasing the schedule without a proper plan in place, was a good decision, it was amateurish.

DSD: Right through the crisis, a lot of question have been asked of the BWF and as a major sport's governing body, they haven't really covered themselves in glory...

P Kashyap: I'm not trying to pick a fight with the BWF, I think these are valid questions to raise during such a global health crisis. I hope they come up with the answers soon.

DSD: Will you and Saina Nehwal be comfortable travelling to China in September for the China Open?

P Kashyap: That seems highly unlikely right now. This is a conversation all of us Indian players had recently and I don't think anyone would feel safe travelling to China at the moment. It is not just a question of our individual health and safety, but also that of our family and loved ones. I don't mean to be disrespectful to China, but at the moment I just don't see anyone taking the risk of going there since we don't even know what the quarantine laws will be. The USA recently came out with a law that exempted foreign athletes from coronavirus-related entry bans and hopefully other countries will also announce similar laws.

DSD: I was speaking to Sai Praneeth last week and he said considering this period of no activity it will take him close to 2 and half months to regain peak fitness and match sharpness. As it stands the Hyderabad open will be the first tournament out there and it is 2 and a half months away.

P Kashyap: Yes, I feel two and a half months is enough for preparation. Usually, during the offseason, players need about 4-6 weeks to prepare after a prolonged break. I feel two and a half months will allow us to get back to match fitness, but we have to realise that every player will have a different process. We can only figure out the exact timeline once we begin our training.

<img alt="Parupalli Kashyap" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="cf968e25-deba-44e6-be67-3d4ea9b51c1f" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_Hkg10201665.jpg" />

DSD: There has still been no word on the Olympic qualifiers, do you think the priority of the BWF should be to come out with an Olympic qualification schedule.

P Kashyap: Yes, that discussion is ongoing in the athletes' commission meetings. We thought that it would be ideal to first come out with a schedule, then unfreeze the rankings and then finally come out with an Olympic qualification schedule. One option could be to just the play the six tournaments that were left as part of original 2020 Olympic qualifiers, in the corresponding months next year. There is no clarity yet, but this should be addressed as soon as possible.

DSD: Even here in India lots of uncertainty about the restart, some of the guidelines that the sports authority or SAI have come up with do not seem reasonable at all, especially when you are dealing with elite sport.

P Kashyap: Yes it is difficult but certain compromises have to be made. I spoke to some European players and they are following strict health guidelines while playing. Players have been assigned time slots for their training and not more than two players are allowed to be on a single court. This can be taken as a template and we can tweak these rules for India. Badminton is a non-contact sport so training should be manageable. The onus is also on the authorities of the training centres to ensure that health guidelines are followed.

DSD: Do you think that because of these restrictions in place, the skill level of players will be affected?

P Kashyap: It will definitely have an effect on the skill levels, but something is better than nothing. So any sort of practice will be welcome at this point in time. The doubles players might have even more trouble because the current guidelines do not allow 4 players on the court. We follow a '1 vs 3' drill at times to sharpen our game and I understand that it won't be possible at the moment. So there will be restrictions for sure, but we just need something to work with. 
&nbsp;

Arjuna awardee and Commonwealth gold-medallist, Parupalli Kashyap, in an exclusive interview with WION's Sports Editor, Digvijay Singh Deo, spoke on issues ranging from life under lockdown, new BWF calendar, Tokyo Olympic qualifiers, SOPs issued by SAI, getting back to peak fitness and much more.

Arjuna awardee and Commonwealth gold-medallist, Parupalli Kashyap, in an exclusive interview with WION's Sports Editor, Digvijay Singh Deo, spoke on issues ranging from life under lockdown, new BWF calendar, Tokyo Olympic qualifiers, SOPs issued by SAI, getting back to peak fitness and much more. Digvijay Singh Deo: Kashyap, good to see you as always, must say it has been a long time... P Kashyap: Yes, it certainly has. I'm just hanging in there during the crisis. I've heard that training sessions have started all over the country, so just waiting for things to open up in Hyderabad. DSD: So how have the last 2 months been for you, one of the sportspersons I interviewed for this series likened the present situation to being like a caged animal... P Kashyap: Yes, I would say that is a nice way to put it. I have actually gone through different phases during this lockdown period. I injured my back in March and was initially very motivated to recover from that injury. So I was very disciplined with my physical training, doing two online sessions in a day. For about six weeks I stuck to that routine, but after that, the motivation levels naturally dropped and so did the intensity of my workout. It is difficult to keep up your physical fitness with no end goal in mind. Fortunately in the last ten days, I have been following some sort of fitness regime. DSD: Your wife Saina Nehwal and you haven't been able to be together as she decided to be with her elderly parents during the initial phase of the lockdown and no one expected this to go on for 2 months now and counting. P Kashyap: Yes, both of us thought it would be good for us to stay with our parents after coming back from All England Championships. A week after Saina and I returned to India, the lockdown was announced. So we haven't gotten the chance to see each other for the last two months. Some of the restrictions have been relaxed now, so we might be able to see each other later in the week. DSD: A lot of athletes around the world like yourself are you used to training day in day out, how difficult is it then for you to come to grips with the current situation. P Kashyap: Yes, it is extremely challenging for us athletes. I don't have access to the gym and have very limited training equipment at home, so it is difficult for me to do weight training as well. It is difficult to keep yourself motivated when you are not on the court every day. Even when we return to the court, it will have to be a slow process because it will take time for us to return to our peak fitness. Also for me personally, I'm not getting any younger, so I have to be very careful when I'm back out there. DSD: You and a lot of other players have been extremely vocal in the criticism of the new calendar put out by the BWF, why do you think it is such an issue for the players? P Kashyap: I was just looking to start a discussion among players on twitter regarding the new calendar. It's an extremely tight schedule, cramming 22 tournaments in 5 months. I'm not going to play each event, but even if I play 11-12 tournaments, the travel is going to be extremely hectic, given the current circumstances. The top ten players in the world might be able to skip some of the events, but players like me, who are ranked between 15-30, will look to play 300 & 500-level tour events a well, which means we will hardly get a week's rest between events. Another disadvantage for us Indians is that we haven't even started our badminton training, whereas players in china and Taipei have been practising for the last one and a half months. One of the main concerns we have is regarding the travel and quarantine laws of various countries. No clarity has been offered on the part of the BWF and we as players have no idea how long we will have to quarantine ourselves upon reaching a certain country. All of us want to get back to playing, but there needs to be more information provided to the players and it seems like the calendar has been prepared in haste. The first tournament on the tour is the Hyderabad open and the facilities haven't even opened up here, so it is difficult to believe that a tournament will be held in two months. DSD: At the moment, the BWF haven't offered any safeguards for the players, it seems like they have just put out a calendar without careful consideration, they have put out a disclaimer that they cannot guarantee that every tournament they have announced will take place. Isn't that rather strange? P Kashyap: Yes, there has to be a certain degree of clarity that has to be provided to the players. As of now, there have been no explanations or communication from the BWF since they put out the calendar. I am part of the athletes' commission, and I hope there will be some statement from the BWF soon on how they plan to hold the events and the measures they will take for the protection of the players. Right now, we haven't even started on-court training here in India, so it's difficult to think about participating in tournaments. DSD: Now you are part of the athletes' commission, the question is were players across the world consulted before this calendar was announced? P Kashyap: It doesn't seem like many players have any consulted. I would assume that the head of the athletes' commission would have been present at the meetings, but I cannot say for sure, hopefully, we will get an answer to all these questions soon. There needs to be a dialogue between the BWF and all the stakeholders of the sport. Every country is at a different stage of dealing with the coronavirus and that needs to be taken into consideration while planning the calendar. Players in China and south-east Asia have been training for the past one and half months, whereas we haven't even started, so it is not really a level playing field at the moment. I don't even know how international travel will even be possible in the current environment. I have asthma and I will certainly not feel comfortable travelling to another country until a vaccine is developed. DSD: Would you have been more comfortable had a full schedule been laid down right till the 2021 Olympics, the problem with the calendar is that there is too much up in the air, instead of anything concrete. P Kashyap: Absolutely, I understand this is a tough ask for the BWF, but we are dealing with an unprecedented crisis. I am sure they are trying to figure out the future plan, but I don't think releasing the schedule without a proper plan in place, was a good decision, it was amateurish. DSD: Right through the crisis, a lot of question have been asked of the BWF and as a major sport's governing body, they haven't really covered themselves in glory... P Kashyap: I'm not trying to pick a fight with the BWF, I think these are valid questions to raise during such a global health crisis. I hope they come up with the answers soon. DSD: Will you and Saina Nehwal be comfortable travelling to China in September for the China Open? P Kashyap: That seems highly unlikely right now. This is a conversation all of us Indian players had recently and I don't think anyone would feel safe travelling to China at the moment. It is not just a question of our individual health and safety, but also that of our family and loved ones. I don't mean to be disrespectful to China, but at the moment I just don't see anyone taking the risk of going there since we don't even know what the quarantine laws will be. The USA recently came out with a law that exempted foreign athletes from coronavirus-related entry bans and hopefully other countries will also announce similar laws. DSD: I was speaking to Sai Praneeth last week and he said considering this period of no activity it will take him close to 2 and half months to regain peak fitness and match sharpness. As it stands the Hyderabad open will be the first tournament out there and it is 2 and a half months away. P Kashyap: Yes, I feel two and a half months is enough for preparation. Usually, during the offseason, players need about 4-6 weeks to prepare after a prolonged break. I feel two and a half months will allow us to get back to match fitness, but we have to realise that every player will have a different process. We can only figure out the exact timeline once we begin our training. DSD: There has still been no word on the Olympic qualifiers, do you think the priority of the BWF should be to come out with an Olympic qualification schedule. P Kashyap: Yes, that discussion is ongoing in the athletes' commission meetings. We thought that it would be ideal to first come out with a schedule, then unfreeze the rankings and then finally come out with an Olympic qualification schedule. One option could be to just the play the six tournaments that were left as part of original 2020 Olympic qualifiers, in the corresponding months next year. There is no clarity yet, but this should be addressed as soon as possible. DSD: Even here in India lots of uncertainty about the restart, some of the guidelines that the sports authority or SAI have come up with do not seem reasonable at all, especially when you are dealing with elite sport. P Kashyap: Yes it is difficult but certain compromises have to be made. I spoke to some European players and they are following strict health guidelines while playing. Players have been assigned time slots for their training and not more than two players are allowed to be on a single court. This can be taken as a template and we can tweak these rules for India. Badminton is a non-contact sport so training should be manageable. The onus is also on the authorities of the training centres to ensure that health guidelines are followed. DSD: Do you think that because of these restrictions in place, the skill level of players will be affected? P Kashyap: It will definitely have an effect on the skill levels, but something is better than nothing. So any sort of practice will be welcome at this point in time. The doubles players might have even more trouble because the current guidelines do not allow 4 players on the court. We follow a '1 vs 3' drill at times to sharpen our game and I understand that it won't be possible at the moment. So there will be restrictions for sure, but we just need something to work with.

Kashyap: BWF releasing calendar without proper planning was amateurish

Badminton World Championship medallist and one of the top Indian shuttlers, Sai Praneeth, in an exclusive interview with WION's Sports Editor, Digvijay Singh Deo, opened up on life in lockdown, SOPs by Sports Authority of India for the resumption of training, social distancing in badminton, Tokyo Olympics and much more.

DSD:&nbsp;Good to see you hale and hearty sai, the roadblocks are gradually being lifted and for any sportsperson that must be a huge relief...

Sai Praneeth: I have been keeping well. Since I returned from the All England Championship in mid-March, I have not been outdoors to train. I have tried to make do with the resources I have at home, but that is obviously not enough for us athletes, so really looking forward to getting back to proper training.

DSD:&nbsp;How has this period been for you Sai, for someone who has a jet-setting lifestyle has there been some reflection...

Sai Praneeth: My schedule has been extremely busy for the last one and a half years, so this break has given me a chance to spend some quality time with my wife and parents. I don't think I'll get another break like this during my professional career. However, it's been two and a half months now and I hope to return to the court soon. Although we still have to be very cautious. Travel is a huge concern and if the BWF tour resumes, the federation must ensure that players feel safe while going to other countries. I hope a vaccine is developed soon and we can return to somewhat of a normal life.

DSD: India is slowly opening up but the cases continue to rise, are you facing a dilemma about returning to training?

Sai Praneeth: It is definitely going to be a challenge. The only thing we can do is be extremely vigilant and cautious while being outdoors. Life isn't going to be the same till a vaccine is developed and we have to figure out a way in which we can safely return to training till that happens. We need to open things up slowly and ensure we follow the health protocols put out by the government.

<img alt="Sai Praneeth" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7a78a025-2c8e-4b37-9981-2cee1b6ad03c" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_1JP6EC.jpg" />

DSD: Have you gone through the SOPs released by SAI yesterday…badminton is allowed to get underway but mostly outdoor, &nbsp;with only singles players playing indoors. What do you make of those guidelines?

Sai Praneeth: I'm not sure if outdoor training will be possible at the moment. Even while training indoors, we will have to be very careful as we're not sure what effect the air conditioner has on the spread of the virus. Apart from the sports authority of India, I hope the BWF also comes out with a statement soon and offers some clarity on the calendar.

DSD: Have you heard anything from national coach Pullela Gopichand on when the training can resume in Hyderabad?

Sai Praneeth: The central government has given the go-ahead to training, but right now the Telangana government has not opened up sports complexes. The state lockdown will continue till May 31, and then I think we will be able to get back to practice sometime during the first week of June. We have been in touch with Gopichand sir and he said he will take a call at the end of this lockdown period when stadiums and sports complexes are likely to be opened up.

DSD: Now the SOPs&nbsp;put the onus on the sportsperson Sai, of ensuring there is no contact between each other, also of being careful while being in gyms etc. Lets be honest to each other, is all of this possible in elite sport...

Sai Praneeth: It will certainly be very tough for us. Badminton is an individual sport, but players cannot practice in isolation. We need to interact with our trainers, physical coaches and of course play with our partners. Every player doesn't have a personal coach, so training sessions will have to be planned in a certain manner to ensure that we follow the safety protocols. For a proper training session to take place, the entire support staff needs to be present on the court. There is no doubt that the onus is on the players to be cautious but I'm not sure what options we have.

DSD: I have been to your practice sessions in Hyderabad and one important aspect of the success of Indian badminton has been the camaraderie between players and how each has pushed the other. Now if you aren't going to interact with your fellow players then will it be enjoyable training sessions...

Sai Praneeth: As&nbsp;I said earlier, it will be next to impossible to train without a considerable number of people on the court. Sometimes we train in a 'one vs three' situation which improves the sharpness in our game. Isolated training sessions might be enough for us to maintain our game, but it will not be enough to take our skills to the next level.

<img alt="Sai Praneeth" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2fc7c097-67a0-4ef8-abdb-3fba527d9198" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_NL4OO.jpg" />

DSD: Do you see skill levels going down considerably because of the lack of training and practice...

Sai Praneeth: I think we will get enough time to get back into the groove of things before the BWF calendar resumes, so there shouldn't be a substantial drop in the quality of play. I think we will need about 2-3 weeks to get back our fitness and endurance levels and about one month to get back in touch with our game. The good thing about this break is that players can recover from their injuries. The BWF calendar is so packed that players don't too often get the chance to fully get back in shape.

DSD: Let us look at the fitness part of it, basic sessions have been going on online but it's been two months without action on the courts. Badminton needs extreme levels of fitness and a lot of explosive power. That’s going to lead to injuries as well. How long will it take for you to return to those peak fitness levels?

Sai Praneeth: the first step towards rebuilding your fitness is regaining strength. If we start playing without properly strengthening our muscles, then the chances of getting injured are high. The first 2-3 weeks, I will be focussing on getting that strength back. Then we can start building our endurance levels and finally return to proper full-fledged on-court training. I don't think it will take that much time for us to find our touch again, because we have been playing the game for a long time. Once we start playing our strokes again, the muscle memory will kick in. Every player has a different process. After a couple of weeks of training, the players' bodies will start responding to the workouts and based on that, the subsequent planning can be done. I believe I will take about two or two and a half months to reach peak fitness levels.

DSD: With the Olympics pushed back by a year now and with the qualifying period frozen would you prefer to not play internationally this year if the season resumes...

Sai Praneeth: As of now there is no clarity on the Olympic qualification process, so it is difficult to take a call. The BWF might conduct the Olympic qualifying tournaments separately, independent of the world rankings. There is also a world championship next year, for which we need to retain our ranking to qualify. So, the BWF needs to come out with the qualifications process that will be followed for the Olympics for me to make a concrete decision.

DSD: Will players like you and others want to play in China this year, given with what has happened in the country, there are bound to be reservations about travelling...

Sai Praneeth: Yes, definitely. In fact, I would say I would be worried about travelling to any country. The risk of contracting the infection at the airports is high, so we need to be extra careful if travel is opened up. I don't see this concern going away till a vaccine is developed, till then that anxiety will always be there.

<img alt="Sai Praneeth" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9e65927b-5f23-4ef8-9015-82eb6921590d" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_1JP6GP.jpg" />

DSD: Have you had conversations within your group about the possibility of having an international circuit if a vaccine is not found. Would you take that risk Sai?

Sai Praneeth: The situation is changing on a daily basis. I don't think we know what things will look like 2-3 months from now, so there's no point overthinking our schedule. Of course, till a vaccine is found, we will be extremely tense while travelling and we will have to be very selective in the tournaments we play if the tour resumes. Other than that, all we can do is hope for the best and pray that circumstances improve. All players in the world are in the same boat, the majority of the world is on lockdown and we are dealing with an unprecedented crisis.

DSD: You have a huge advantage when it comes to qualifying for the Olympics..how does your process now change with the postponement?

Sai Praneeth: If we just talk about the Olympics, I might skip a few tournaments because my position is reasonably secure. I will look to participate in the India Open and then travel for a few tournaments leading up to the Olympics next year. If I get selected for the Olympics, then I do have a considerable amount of time for the event, which will allow me to skip tournaments. But I also have to look at other tournaments which will affect my ranking.

DSD: Till about March this year, you were preparing for the Olympics that was just 4 months away, how do you now mentally refocus for the postponed games which are 14 months away?

Sai Praneeth: Till the BWF does not release the qualification calendar, it is difficult for me to mentally prepare for the games. There is still a lot of time for the event and I can only concentrate fully on the Olympics once my place at the event is 100% secure. The long-term goal is to play at the Tokyo Olympics next year, but there are other small-term goals that I might set for myself.

Badminton World Championship medallist and one of the top Indian shuttlers, Sai Praneeth, in an exclusive interview with WION's Sports Editor, Digvijay Singh Deo, opened up on life in lockdown, SOPs by Sports Authority of India for the resumption of training, social distancing in badminton, Tokyo Olympics and much more.

Badminton World Championship medallist and one of the top Indian shuttlers, Sai Praneeth, in an exclusive interview with WION's Sports Editor, Digvijay Singh Deo, opened up on life in lockdown, SOPs by Sports Authority of India for the resumption of training, social distancing in badminton, Tokyo Olympics and much more. DSD: Good to see you hale and hearty sai, the roadblocks are gradually being lifted and for any sportsperson that must be a huge relief... Sai Praneeth: I have been keeping well. Since I returned from the All England Championship in mid-March, I have not been outdoors to train. I have tried to make do with the resources I have at home, but that is obviously not enough for us athletes, so really looking forward to getting back to proper training. DSD: How has this period been for you Sai, for someone who has a jet-setting lifestyle has there been some reflection... Sai Praneeth: My schedule has been extremely busy for the last one and a half years, so this break has given me a chance to spend some quality time with my wife and parents. I don't think I'll get another break like this during my professional career. However, it's been two and a half months now and I hope to return to the court soon. Although we still have to be very cautious. Travel is a huge concern and if the BWF tour resumes, the federation must ensure that players feel safe while going to other countries. I hope a vaccine is developed soon and we can return to somewhat of a normal life. DSD: India is slowly opening up but the cases continue to rise, are you facing a dilemma about returning to training? Sai Praneeth: It is definitely going to be a challenge. The only thing we can do is be extremely vigilant and cautious while being outdoors. Life isn't going to be the same till a vaccine is developed and we have to figure out a way in which we can safely return to training till that happens. We need to open things up slowly and ensure we follow the health protocols put out by the government. DSD: Have you gone through the SOPs released by SAI yesterday…badminton is allowed to get underway but mostly outdoor, with only singles players playing indoors. What do you make of those guidelines? Sai Praneeth: I'm not sure if outdoor training will be possible at the moment. Even while training indoors, we will have to be very careful as we're not sure what effect the air conditioner has on the spread of the virus. Apart from the sports authority of India, I hope the BWF also comes out with a statement soon and offers some clarity on the calendar. DSD: Have you heard anything from national coach Pullela Gopichand on when the training can resume in Hyderabad? Sai Praneeth: The central government has given the go-ahead to training, but right now the Telangana government has not opened up sports complexes. The state lockdown will continue till May 31, and then I think we will be able to get back to practice sometime during the first week of June. We have been in touch with Gopichand sir and he said he will take a call at the end of this lockdown period when stadiums and sports complexes are likely to be opened up. DSD: Now the SOPs put the onus on the sportsperson Sai, of ensuring there is no contact between each other, also of being careful while being in gyms etc. Lets be honest to each other, is all of this possible in elite sport... Sai Praneeth: It will certainly be very tough for us. Badminton is an individual sport, but players cannot practice in isolation. We need to interact with our trainers, physical coaches and of course play with our partners. Every player doesn't have a personal coach, so training sessions will have to be planned in a certain manner to ensure that we follow the safety protocols. For a proper training session to take place, the entire support staff needs to be present on the court. There is no doubt that the onus is on the players to be cautious but I'm not sure what options we have. DSD: I have been to your practice sessions in Hyderabad and one important aspect of the success of Indian badminton has been the camaraderie between players and how each has pushed the other. Now if you aren't going to interact with your fellow players then will it be enjoyable training sessions... Sai Praneeth: As I said earlier, it will be next to impossible to train without a considerable number of people on the court. Sometimes we train in a 'one vs three' situation which improves the sharpness in our game. Isolated training sessions might be enough for us to maintain our game, but it will not be enough to take our skills to the next level. DSD: Do you see skill levels going down considerably because of the lack of training and practice... Sai Praneeth: I think we will get enough time to get back into the groove of things before the BWF calendar resumes, so there shouldn't be a substantial drop in the quality of play. I think we will need about 2-3 weeks to get back our fitness and endurance levels and about one month to get back in touch with our game. The good thing about this break is that players can recover from their injuries. The BWF calendar is so packed that players don't too often get the chance to fully get back in shape. DSD: Let us look at the fitness part of it, basic sessions have been going on online but it's been two months without action on the courts. Badminton needs extreme levels of fitness and a lot of explosive power. That’s going to lead to injuries as well. How long will it take for you to return to those peak fitness levels? Sai Praneeth: the first step towards rebuilding your fitness is regaining strength. If we start playing without properly strengthening our muscles, then the chances of getting injured are high. The first 2-3 weeks, I will be focussing on getting that strength back. Then we can start building our endurance levels and finally return to proper full-fledged on-court training. I don't think it will take that much time for us to find our touch again, because we have been playing the game for a long time. Once we start playing our strokes again, the muscle memory will kick in. Every player has a different process. After a couple of weeks of training, the players' bodies will start responding to the workouts and based on that, the subsequent planning can be done. I believe I will take about two or two and a half months to reach peak fitness levels. DSD: With the Olympics pushed back by a year now and with the qualifying period frozen would you prefer to not play internationally this year if the season resumes... Sai Praneeth: As of now there is no clarity on the Olympic qualification process, so it is difficult to take a call. The BWF might conduct the Olympic qualifying tournaments separately, independent of the world rankings. There is also a world championship next year, for which we need to retain our ranking to qualify. So, the BWF needs to come out with the qualifications process that will be followed for the Olympics for me to make a concrete decision. DSD: Will players like you and others want to play in China this year, given with what has happened in the country, there are bound to be reservations about travelling... Sai Praneeth: Yes, definitely. In fact, I would say I would be worried about travelling to any country. The risk of contracting the infection at the airports is high, so we need to be extra careful if travel is opened up. I don't see this concern going away till a vaccine is developed, till then that anxiety will always be there. DSD: Have you had conversations within your group about the possibility of having an international circuit if a vaccine is not found. Would you take that risk Sai? Sai Praneeth: The situation is changing on a daily basis. I don't think we know what things will look like 2-3 months from now, so there's no point overthinking our schedule. Of course, till a vaccine is found, we will be extremely tense while travelling and we will have to be very selective in the tournaments we play if the tour resumes. Other than that, all we can do is hope for the best and pray that circumstances improve. All players in the world are in the same boat, the majority of the world is on lockdown and we are dealing with an unprecedented crisis. DSD: You have a huge advantage when it comes to qualifying for the Olympics..how does your process now change with the postponement? Sai Praneeth: If we just talk about the Olympics, I might skip a few tournaments because my position is reasonably secure. I will look to participate in the India Open and then travel for a few tournaments leading up to the Olympics next year. If I get selected for the Olympics, then I do have a considerable amount of time for the event, which will allow me to skip tournaments. But I also have to look at other tournaments which will affect my ranking. DSD: Till about March this year, you were preparing for the Olympics that was just 4 months away, how do you now mentally refocus for the postponed games which are 14 months away? Sai Praneeth: Till the BWF does not release the qualification calendar, it is difficult for me to mentally prepare for the games. There is still a lot of time for the event and I can only concentrate fully on the Olympics once my place at the event is 100% secure. The long-term goal is to play at the Tokyo Olympics next year, but there are other small-term goals that I might set for myself.

Sai Praneeth: Isolated training impossible in badminton

Football is one of the sports to be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic massively. While the financial ramifications of the wiped out calendar are unprecedented, football is slowly coming back to life with Bundesliga’s resumption. Indian football, meanwhile, saw the final of Indian Super League (ISL) 2020 being played behind closed doors just when the dreaded virus had made its presence felt in India but since then it has been a complete stop when it comes to playing matches or even training outdoors given the strict lockdown measures.&nbsp;

Indian football team’s FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualifier against defending Asian Champions Qatar has been already postponed and the future calendar when it comes to international matches still remains under dark clouds.&nbsp;

India National Team coach Igor Stimac, in an exclusive interview with WION’s Sports Editor, Digvijay Singh Deo, discussed how the pandemic impacted his plans, the structure of Indian football and many more.

“I was joking that if there is someone that will benefit from this Covid-19 break then it is Indian football as we are used to long breaks. We have a break of 6-7 months every year and we should not have a problem with injuries as the players are used to this pause”, Stimac said.

<img alt="Igor Stimac: Indian team has changed from kick and chase football to a more possession based game." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="360690ad-57cb-41dd-a4f8-c66ff97edfc7" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_DV1447642.jpg" />

Since Stimac took over the charge of the Indian football team, the Blue Tigers have had some inspirational performances on the pitch, the most notable ones being the goalless draw against Qatar (away) and 1-1 stalemate against Afghanistan (away). While there have been disappointments in the form of 1-1 draw against Bangladesh in front of a capacity crowd in Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata, the Indian football team has shown a lot of improvement when it comes to playing a positive brand of football and scrapping the long-ball tactics in big matches.&nbsp;

Stimac is of the view that building a team for the future takes time as most of the players are young and lacking confidence. However, the Croatian is not content with some of the results from the 2022 World Cup qualifiers as he said that the lack of experience and charismatic decisions cost India.&nbsp;

“I am excited even much more than before after 12 Months as India Coach. We have proved that we can change many things in such a short time. The task was not easy to change from a kick and chase football to a more possession-based football. We have introduced many young players with more technical abilities. It was not easy and we knew we were going to suffer but this was the only way to stabilise the results in the future,” Stimac said.

"We are building up a new team which should achieve its high level in the next 4-5 years. We have 25 players who are between 18-23 years old. I am not happy with regards to the results as we were expecting some more points from the Qualification Tournament. Looking back we did not take our opportunities. I thought we could surprise Oman but lack of experience and lack of charismatic decisions on the field cost us. India is no longer the team that loses easy games, but we are not scoring enough goals,” he added.

<img alt="Igor Stimac: Indian team has changed from kick and chase football to a more possession based game." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="cedad619-5ad1-4669-802a-a3c0f380baae" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_1LE5PL.jpg" />

The 1998 FIFA World Cup semifinalist Stimac has been pretty vocal about reducing the number of foreign players in India’s domestic tournaments like ISL and I-League for the betterment of Indian talent. Stimac further revealed that the footballing authorities are in talks with the Indian government about citizenship regulations for players.&nbsp;

“I am feeling depressed and tired at repeatedly saying we have to reduce the number of foreign players in Indian domestic football. It will take time to grow up as a football nation, the season has to be longer for players to play much more games than now. If the Government can change the citizenship regulations, then we can get 7-8 players of Indian origin who are playing abroad and that would change our results dramatically”.

The Croatian also elaborated why the season for Indian Football should be longer&nbsp;compared to other domestic seasons across the world. “We have been working behind closed doors on many aspects. One is regarding the selection of players. We have been talking to the government to change the citizenship regulations. We were also in touch with FSDL (Football Sports Development Limited) to increase the length of the season and also to have a long-term calendar season plus the need to restructure the Durand Cup and the Super Cup. Going forward what will be crucial is the number of games. We cannot stop our season at the end of February and football needs to be played until mid-May. I am told that it cannot happen as it overlaps with the broadcast of the IPL but broadcast is not important, what is important is that players play more games to improve their football and bring more quality to the national team,”

<img alt="Igor Stimac: Indian team has changed from kick and chase football to a more possession based game." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9bf1cba7-f30d-4ccc-a8ba-8ee367d04ea7" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_1LE5WQ.jpg" />

Stimac had big plans for the Indian team for the year 2020 but the COVID-19 pandemic has shattered everything. The Croatian said that India were scheduled to go to Turkey and Croatia in April and May for pre-season training camps and play 10 friendly matches only for the dreaded virus to wipe off the sporting calendar and the plans.&nbsp;

“The pandemic has destroyed the plans we had made which were accepted by both the government and the AIFF. We were to go on pre-season training camps to Turkey and Croatia in April and May and we were supposed to play ten friendly games. We are now using this time to improve the education of our players including theoretical points and I am very happy that the players are all following individual training plans that we have sent them and communicating daily on our team groups”.

“The pandemic could see certain rules and regulations be changed globally to rely on home-grown players. This is the perfect opportunity for India to dramatically change the structure of Indian Football. Half the ISL clubs are facing financial difficulties and if all the clubs are not on the same level financially then what is the point of the competition. The competition is good only if everyone starts with the same amount of money and the same regulations,” the Head Coach concluded.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Football is one of the sports to be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic massively. While the financial ramifications of the wiped out calendar are unprecedented, football is slowly coming back to life with Bundesliga’s resumption.

Football is one of the sports to be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic massively. While the financial ramifications of the wiped out calendar are unprecedented, football is slowly coming back to life with Bundesliga’s resumption. Indian football, meanwhile, saw the final of Indian Super League (ISL) 2020 being played behind closed doors just when the dreaded virus had made its presence felt in India but since then it has been a complete stop when it comes to playing matches or even training outdoors given the strict lockdown measures. Indian football team’s FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualifier against defending Asian Champions Qatar has been already postponed and the future calendar when it comes to international matches still remains under dark clouds. India National Team coach Igor Stimac, in an exclusive interview with WION’s Sports Editor, Digvijay Singh Deo, discussed how the pandemic impacted his plans, the structure of Indian football and many more. “I was joking that if there is someone that will benefit from this Covid-19 break then it is Indian football as we are used to long breaks. We have a break of 6-7 months every year and we should not have a problem with injuries as the players are used to this pause”, Stimac said. Since Stimac took over the charge of the Indian football team, the Blue Tigers have had some inspirational performances on the pitch, the most notable ones being the goalless draw against Qatar (away) and 1-1 stalemate against Afghanistan (away). While there have been disappointments in the form of 1-1 draw against Bangladesh in front of a capacity crowd in Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata, the Indian football team has shown a lot of improvement when it comes to playing a positive brand of football and scrapping the long-ball tactics in big matches. Stimac is of the view that building a team for the future takes time as most of the players are young and lacking confidence. However, the Croatian is not content with some of the results from the 2022 World Cup qualifiers as he said that the lack of experience and charismatic decisions cost India. “I am excited even much more than before after 12 Months as India Coach. We have proved that we can change many things in such a short time. The task was not easy to change from a kick and chase football to a more possession-based football. We have introduced many young players with more technical abilities. It was not easy and we knew we were going to suffer but this was the only way to stabilise the results in the future,” Stimac said. "We are building up a new team which should achieve its high level in the next 4-5 years. We have 25 players who are between 18-23 years old. I am not happy with regards to the results as we were expecting some more points from the Qualification Tournament. Looking back we did not take our opportunities. I thought we could surprise Oman but lack of experience and lack of charismatic decisions on the field cost us. India is no longer the team that loses easy games, but we are not scoring enough goals,” he added. The 1998 FIFA World Cup semifinalist Stimac has been pretty vocal about reducing the number of foreign players in India’s domestic tournaments like ISL and I-League for the betterment of Indian talent. Stimac further revealed that the footballing authorities are in talks with the Indian government about citizenship regulations for players. “I am feeling depressed and tired at repeatedly saying we have to reduce the number of foreign players in Indian domestic football. It will take time to grow up as a football nation, the season has to be longer for players to play much more games than now. If the Government can change the citizenship regulations, then we can get 7-8 players of Indian origin who are playing abroad and that would change our results dramatically”. The Croatian also elaborated why the season for Indian Football should be longer compared to other domestic seasons across the world. “We have been working behind closed doors on many aspects. One is regarding the selection of players. We have been talking to the government to change the citizenship regulations. We were also in touch with FSDL (Football Sports Development Limited) to increase the length of the season and also to have a long-term calendar season plus the need to restructure the Durand Cup and the Super Cup. Going forward what will be crucial is the number of games. We cannot stop our season at the end of February and football needs to be played until mid-May. I am told that it cannot happen as it overlaps with the broadcast of the IPL but broadcast is not important, what is important is that players play more games to improve their football and bring more quality to the national team,” Stimac had big plans for the Indian team for the year 2020 but the COVID-19 pandemic has shattered everything. The Croatian said that India were scheduled to go to Turkey and Croatia in April and May for pre-season training camps and play 10 friendly matches only for the dreaded virus to wipe off the sporting calendar and the plans. “The pandemic has destroyed the plans we had made which were accepted by both the government and the AIFF. We were to go on pre-season training camps to Turkey and Croatia in April and May and we were supposed to play ten friendly games. We are now using this time to improve the education of our players including theoretical points and I am very happy that the players are all following individual training plans that we have sent them and communicating daily on our team groups”. “The pandemic could see certain rules and regulations be changed globally to rely on home-grown players. This is the perfect opportunity for India to dramatically change the structure of Indian Football. Half the ISL clubs are facing financial difficulties and if all the clubs are not on the same level financially then what is the point of the competition. The competition is good only if everyone starts with the same amount of money and the same regulations,” the Head Coach concluded.

Igor Stimac:  Indian team has changed from kick and chase football to a more possession based game

India National Team coach Igor Stimac, in an exclusive interview with WION’s Sports Editor, Digvijay Singh Deo, discussed how the pandemic impacted his plans, the structure of Indian football and much more.

Digvijay Singh Deo: Igor, how have you been through this entire period?

Igor Stimac: The coronavirus crisis has created a multitude of problems all over the world, many countries, including India and Croatia, are suffering. Fortunately, the situation in Croatia is improving, the lockdown measures here have been eased and we are trying to return to somewhat of a normal life.

DSD: From what I have been reading, Croatia seems to have handled this crisis very well. Just above 2000 cases and deaths limited to under 100.

Igor Stimac: Yes, our government deserves the praise of how proactive they have been during this crisis. However, we are also blessed that we are a small country and so not have a very dense population, hence it was easier for us to isolate and remain in a secure environment.

DSD: Even the football season is about to resume at the end of this month in your country...

Igor Stimac: It has been announced that the Croatian league will begin at the end of May, which is fantastic news. There will be no crowd at the venues, it is important that we do not put anyone's health at risk. The return of the league is great news not just for the football league, but also for sport in Croatia in general. People have been desperate for top-level competitions and I'm delighted that they will get to see some action.

DSD: Lots of debate surrounding the leagues at the moment, if leagues should freeze the table and end the season as we have seen in Holland and France, or resume matches so that the campaign can be completed, the English premier league is attempting to deal with that issue right now and there is obviously a lot of money involved.

Igor Stimac: These are highly lucrative leagues and the authorities are losing money on a daily basis while the leagues remain suspended. So, even playing the game behind closed doors would be highly beneficial for the major leagues in Europe. In Croatia, the situation is completely different, we are a much smaller country and it is easier to hold matches here in a bio-secure environment. We are all missing top-level football and I just hope that all the players return to action very soon.

DSD: The next few months seem to be a big worry now in your country which sees a lot of tourists come in. The economy needs the money but people coming in also present a health risk.it’s a tightrope isn't it...

Igor Stimac: It is a huge problem for Croatia but hopefully we will go through this period without many economic difficulties. One-third of Croatia's income comes from tourism. Every summer, thousands of people come to the country and get a taste of the culture, food and the stunning scenic beauty. &nbsp;There is a discussion to declare Croatia a COVID-19 free country, which will allow tourists to enter and boost the economy. Hopefully, that will be possible by July and we can get some money pumping into the economy.

<img alt="Igor Stimac: Indian team has changed from kick and chase football to a more possession based game" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9bddd96c-861a-4d43-8f65-5a206e189c03" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_Par7354064.jpg" />

DSD: As things start opening up, everyone will have to grapple with that decision, what is the balance between money and health?

Igor Stimac: Yes, it is a very delicate situation. Every government needs to protect its own people, inviting people from those countries which have been greatly affected by the crisis into Croatia, can endanger our own population. This is the concern with opening up international travel. These decisions have to be taken by the government while keeping the best interests of the people in mind.

DSD: We just saw the german Bundesliga season resume this past weekend - and it felt almost surreal to see the empty stadiums, hear the echoes of the ball being kicked around, the coaches yelling instructions from the touchline... What are your thoughts on what appears to be football's new reality for at least the next few months?

Igor Stimac: We need to get used to a new way of life, a new way of playing and watching football. This is going to be 'the new normal' for a while now, we cannot change it and must accept the situation. We need to be disciplined and cautious so that the second wave of the virus does not affect a large number of people. Football is very close to all our hearts but it's not the most important thing in the world. The health and safety of people has to be the ultimate priority. Let's follow the health protocols and fulfil our duties as global citizens.

DSD: As an elite manager, do you think that teams and players will have to prepare any differently for matches in this sort of environment? Because we're expecting leagues across the continent to also restart behind closed doors next month, how do teams adapt to that?

Igor Stimac: I think the players will miss the atmosphere in the stadiums, there is a certain adrenaline rush that players get when they step out in a stadium in front of the fans, but in terms of the way the game is played, it is not going to be that different. I believe that we are going to see more injuries because the break was very long and players have not had time to return to their peak fitness. The European players are not used to such a long break of two months. I was joking that if there is someone that will benefit from this COVID-19 break then it is Indian football as we are used to long breaks.we have a break of 6-7 months every year and we should not have a problem with injuries as the players are used to this pause.

DSD: This month last year was when you first took charge of the Indian football team...How do you feel about your first 12 months in the job.

Igor Stimac: I am more excited than I was 12 months back. We have proved that we can change many many things in such a short period of time. The task was not easy to change from a 'kick and chase' style of football to a more possession-based game. We have introduced many young players with more technical abilities. It was not easy and we knew we were going to suffer but this was the only way to stabilise the results in the future.we are building up a new team which should achieve its peak in the next 4-5 years.we have 25 players who are between 18-23 yeas old. I am not happy with regards to the results as we were expecting some more points from the qualification tournament .looking back we did not take our opportunities. I thought we could surprise Oman but lack of experience and lack of charismatic decisions on the field cost us.india is no longer the team that loses easy games, but we are not scoring enough goals either. All three goals we scored from qualifiers came from set-pieces.i am feeling depressed and tired at repeatedly saying we have to reduce the number of foreign players in Indian domestic football. It will take time to grow as a football nation, the season has to be longer for players to play more games than they currently play. If the government can change the citizenship regulations then we can get 7-8 players of Indian origin who are playing abroad and that would change our results dramatically.

<img alt="Igor Stimac: Indian team has changed from kick and chase football to a more possession based game" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="27fe3e54-1152-4798-80d6-1fa60d1296dc" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_Par7311305.jpg" />

DSD: Indian football undoubtedly needs structural changes, where do you see Indian football in five years, what is your road-map?

Igor Stimac: we have been working behind closed doors on many aspects. One is regarding the selection of players. We have been talking to the government to change the citizenship regulations. There is a need to change the system of grassroots football as well so that a high number of youngsters start playing the game. Parallelly, we were also in touch with football sports development limited to increase the length of the season and also to have a long term calendar season plus the need to restructure the Durand Cup and the super cup. Going forward what will be crucial is the number of games in a campaign. We cannot stop our season at the end of February and football needs to be played until mid-may. I am told that it cannot happen as it overlaps with the broadcast of the IPL, but broadcast is not that important, what is crucial s that players play more games to improve their football and bring more quality to the national team.

DSD: What will the overall impact of the coronavirus be on Indian football - World Cup qualifiers in March and June have been cancelled, rest of the calendar looking grim.

Igor Stimac: The pandemic has destroyed the plans we had made which were accepted by both the government and the AIFF. We were to go on pre-season training camps to turkey and Croatia in April and May and we were supposed to play ten friendly games. As I said before, this break should not affect our national team to a great extent. We are now using this time to improve the education of our players including theoretical points and I am very happy that the players are all following individual training plans that we have sent them and communicating daily on our team groups.

DSD: You were, of course, part of a golden generation of Croatian football - the team that took the country to their first major tournaments after independence...Would you say your third-placed finish on World Cup debut in 1998 arguably had an even bigger impact on Croatian football than the runner-up spot from two years ago?

Igor Stimac: It was a special tournament. It was the first time we played in a world cup in 1998 as a nation and our performances stunned the entire world, but as a team, we weren't surprised at all. Six of the players, including me, were part of the team that won the u-20 world championship in 1987, so we were confident in our abilities and knew that we could reach the latter stages of the tournament. Many people are now comparing the 1998 and 2018 sides and pitting them against each other. I believe that if there was a hypothetical match between the two sides, my 1998 team would win, but then again I might be a bit biased. There is no doubt that both teams had a great impact on Croatia. Both of those teams are filled with world-class players and it is incredible that a small nation like Croatia was able to do so well at the world cup. It's not just football, Croatia has a fantastic sporting culture. There are 100 Olympic medalists in my city, split, which has a population of about 180,000. It just shows how talented we are as a nation. It is such a stark contrast when you compare it to India, which has a population of over a billion people but has won less than 30 Olympic medals.

<img alt="Igor Stimac: Indian team has changed from kick and chase football to a more possession based game" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="1d58962c-3b2d-420d-a2c4-9dac39d84b4e" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_SAPA980704645270.jpg" />

DSD: After the heroics at the 2018 World Cup - Croatia would no doubt have gone into the Euros that were supposed to be held this summer with expectations sky-high. We know the tournament has been pushed back by a year - how do you think that impacts Croatia's chances especially with stars like Luka Modric, Ivan Rakitic, Mario Mandzukic, - even Ivan Perisic to an extent - not getting any younger.

Igor Stimac: Talented youngsters are moving up in the ranks of Croatian football, so as a fan or as a coach for that matter., I'm not really worried about the future. Modric, Mandzukic and Rakitic have been wonderful servants to the country, but the future of Croatian football is in safe hands. Whenever the young players have been called upon to the national team, they have always performed very well and sometimes even better than the experienced ones. The young players are great prospects and they have the hunger to excel at the highest level. I believe that sometimes you benefit from throwing the youngsters in the line of fire.

DSD: Since we are talking about the euros - can I get you to discuss who you think are realistic title contenders for the tournament? Do you see the break in football due to the coronavirus this year have any sort of lasting impact 12 to 15 months later?

Igor Stimac: It is difficult for me to say what the situation will look like 12-15 months from now. It definitely is going to be a long break for many countries. I just hope that there aren't many injuries and teams are able to bring their full strength squads to the tournament. I'm looking forward to the fact that all of us will be able to celebrate the game once again. I can only speculate on how different teams will be heading into the euros, but what is important is to stand united and celebrate the game.

DSD: Will this pandemic though has un-intended positive consequences. The big money transfers are likely to be stalled this year so clubs will have to rely on homegrown talent.

Igor Stimac: It could have long term consequences for the clubs in India. The pandemic could see certain rules and regulations changed globally, which results in clubs relying more on their home-grown players. This is the perfect opportunity for India to dramatically change the structure of football in the country. Half the ISL clubs are facing financial difficulties and if all the clubs are not on the same level financially, then what is the point of the competition? The competition is high only if everyone starts with the same amount of money and is under the framework of the same regulations.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

India National Team coach Igor Stimac, in an exclusive interview with WION’s Sports Editor, Digvijay Singh Deo, discussed how the pandemic impacted his plans, the structure of Indian football and much more.

India National Team coach Igor Stimac, in an exclusive interview with WION’s Sports Editor, Digvijay Singh Deo, discussed how the pandemic impacted his plans, the structure of Indian football and much more. Digvijay Singh Deo: Igor, how have you been through this entire period? Igor Stimac: The coronavirus crisis has created a multitude of problems all over the world, many countries, including India and Croatia, are suffering. Fortunately, the situation in Croatia is improving, the lockdown measures here have been eased and we are trying to return to somewhat of a normal life. DSD: From what I have been reading, Croatia seems to have handled this crisis very well. Just above 2000 cases and deaths limited to under 100. Igor Stimac: Yes, our government deserves the praise of how proactive they have been during this crisis. However, we are also blessed that we are a small country and so not have a very dense population, hence it was easier for us to isolate and remain in a secure environment. DSD: Even the football season is about to resume at the end of this month in your country... Igor Stimac: It has been announced that the Croatian league will begin at the end of May, which is fantastic news. There will be no crowd at the venues, it is important that we do not put anyone's health at risk. The return of the league is great news not just for the football league, but also for sport in Croatia in general. People have been desperate for top-level competitions and I'm delighted that they will get to see some action. DSD: Lots of debate surrounding the leagues at the moment, if leagues should freeze the table and end the season as we have seen in Holland and France, or resume matches so that the campaign can be completed, the English premier league is attempting to deal with that issue right now and there is obviously a lot of money involved. Igor Stimac: These are highly lucrative leagues and the authorities are losing money on a daily basis while the leagues remain suspended. So, even playing the game behind closed doors would be highly beneficial for the major leagues in Europe. In Croatia, the situation is completely different, we are a much smaller country and it is easier to hold matches here in a bio-secure environment. We are all missing top-level football and I just hope that all the players return to action very soon. DSD: The next few months seem to be a big worry now in your country which sees a lot of tourists come in. The economy needs the money but people coming in also present a health risk.it’s a tightrope isn't it... Igor Stimac: It is a huge problem for Croatia but hopefully we will go through this period without many economic difficulties. One-third of Croatia's income comes from tourism. Every summer, thousands of people come to the country and get a taste of the culture, food and the stunning scenic beauty. There is a discussion to declare Croatia a COVID-19 free country, which will allow tourists to enter and boost the economy. Hopefully, that will be possible by July and we can get some money pumping into the economy. DSD: As things start opening up, everyone will have to grapple with that decision, what is the balance between money and health? Igor Stimac: Yes, it is a very delicate situation. Every government needs to protect its own people, inviting people from those countries which have been greatly affected by the crisis into Croatia, can endanger our own population. This is the concern with opening up international travel. These decisions have to be taken by the government while keeping the best interests of the people in mind. DSD: We just saw the german Bundesliga season resume this past weekend - and it felt almost surreal to see the empty stadiums, hear the echoes of the ball being kicked around, the coaches yelling instructions from the touchline... What are your thoughts on what appears to be football's new reality for at least the next few months? Igor Stimac: We need to get used to a new way of life, a new way of playing and watching football. This is going to be 'the new normal' for a while now, we cannot change it and must accept the situation. We need to be disciplined and cautious so that the second wave of the virus does not affect a large number of people. Football is very close to all our hearts but it's not the most important thing in the world. The health and safety of people has to be the ultimate priority. Let's follow the health protocols and fulfil our duties as global citizens. DSD: As an elite manager, do you think that teams and players will have to prepare any differently for matches in this sort of environment? Because we're expecting leagues across the continent to also restart behind closed doors next month, how do teams adapt to that? Igor Stimac: I think the players will miss the atmosphere in the stadiums, there is a certain adrenaline rush that players get when they step out in a stadium in front of the fans, but in terms of the way the game is played, it is not going to be that different. I believe that we are going to see more injuries because the break was very long and players have not had time to return to their peak fitness. The European players are not used to such a long break of two months. I was joking that if there is someone that will benefit from this COVID-19 break then it is Indian football as we are used to long breaks.we have a break of 6-7 months every year and we should not have a problem with injuries as the players are used to this pause. DSD: This month last year was when you first took charge of the Indian football team...How do you feel about your first 12 months in the job. Igor Stimac: I am more excited than I was 12 months back. We have proved that we can change many many things in such a short period of time. The task was not easy to change from a 'kick and chase' style of football to a more possession-based game. We have introduced many young players with more technical abilities. It was not easy and we knew we were going to suffer but this was the only way to stabilise the results in the future.we are building up a new team which should achieve its peak in the next 4-5 years.we have 25 players who are between 18-23 yeas old. I am not happy with regards to the results as we were expecting some more points from the qualification tournament .looking back we did not take our opportunities. I thought we could surprise Oman but lack of experience and lack of charismatic decisions on the field cost us.india is no longer the team that loses easy games, but we are not scoring enough goals either. All three goals we scored from qualifiers came from set-pieces.i am feeling depressed and tired at repeatedly saying we have to reduce the number of foreign players in Indian domestic football. It will take time to grow as a football nation, the season has to be longer for players to play more games than they currently play. If the government can change the citizenship regulations then we can get 7-8 players of Indian origin who are playing abroad and that would change our results dramatically. DSD: Indian football undoubtedly needs structural changes, where do you see Indian football in five years, what is your road-map? Igor Stimac: we have been working behind closed doors on many aspects. One is regarding the selection of players. We have been talking to the government to change the citizenship regulations. There is a need to change the system of grassroots football as well so that a high number of youngsters start playing the game. Parallelly, we were also in touch with football sports development limited to increase the length of the season and also to have a long term calendar season plus the need to restructure the Durand Cup and the super cup. Going forward what will be crucial is the number of games in a campaign. We cannot stop our season at the end of February and football needs to be played until mid-may. I am told that it cannot happen as it overlaps with the broadcast of the IPL, but broadcast is not that important, what is crucial s that players play more games to improve their football and bring more quality to the national team. DSD: What will the overall impact of the coronavirus be on Indian football - World Cup qualifiers in March and June have been cancelled, rest of the calendar looking grim. Igor Stimac: The pandemic has destroyed the plans we had made which were accepted by both the government and the AIFF. We were to go on pre-season training camps to turkey and Croatia in April and May and we were supposed to play ten friendly games. As I said before, this break should not affect our national team to a great extent. We are now using this time to improve the education of our players including theoretical points and I am very happy that the players are all following individual training plans that we have sent them and communicating daily on our team groups. DSD: You were, of course, part of a golden generation of Croatian football - the team that took the country to their first major tournaments after independence...Would you say your third-placed finish on World Cup debut in 1998 arguably had an even bigger impact on Croatian football than the runner-up spot from two years ago? Igor Stimac: It was a special tournament. It was the first time we played in a world cup in 1998 as a nation and our performances stunned the entire world, but as a team, we weren't surprised at all. Six of the players, including me, were part of the team that won the u-20 world championship in 1987, so we were confident in our abilities and knew that we could reach the latter stages of the tournament. Many people are now comparing the 1998 and 2018 sides and pitting them against each other. I believe that if there was a hypothetical match between the two sides, my 1998 team would win, but then again I might be a bit biased. There is no doubt that both teams had a great impact on Croatia. Both of those teams are filled with world-class players and it is incredible that a small nation like Croatia was able to do so well at the world cup. It's not just football, Croatia has a fantastic sporting culture. There are 100 Olympic medalists in my city, split, which has a population of about 180,000. It just shows how talented we are as a nation. It is such a stark contrast when you compare it to India, which has a population of over a billion people but has won less than 30 Olympic medals. DSD: After the heroics at the 2018 World Cup - Croatia would no doubt have gone into the Euros that were supposed to be held this summer with expectations sky-high. We know the tournament has been pushed back by a year - how do you think that impacts Croatia's chances especially with stars like Luka Modric, Ivan Rakitic, Mario Mandzukic, - even Ivan Perisic to an extent - not getting any younger. Igor Stimac: Talented youngsters are moving up in the ranks of Croatian football, so as a fan or as a coach for that matter., I'm not really worried about the future. Modric, Mandzukic and Rakitic have been wonderful servants to the country, but the future of Croatian football is in safe hands. Whenever the young players have been called upon to the national team, they have always performed very well and sometimes even better than the experienced ones. The young players are great prospects and they have the hunger to excel at the highest level. I believe that sometimes you benefit from throwing the youngsters in the line of fire. DSD: Since we are talking about the euros - can I get you to discuss who you think are realistic title contenders for the tournament? Do you see the break in football due to the coronavirus this year have any sort of lasting impact 12 to 15 months later? Igor Stimac: It is difficult for me to say what the situation will look like 12-15 months from now. It definitely is going to be a long break for many countries. I just hope that there aren't many injuries and teams are able to bring their full strength squads to the tournament. I'm looking forward to the fact that all of us will be able to celebrate the game once again. I can only speculate on how different teams will be heading into the euros, but what is important is to stand united and celebrate the game. DSD: Will this pandemic though has un-intended positive consequences. The big money transfers are likely to be stalled this year so clubs will have to rely on homegrown talent. Igor Stimac: It could have long term consequences for the clubs in India. The pandemic could see certain rules and regulations changed globally, which results in clubs relying more on their home-grown players. This is the perfect opportunity for India to dramatically change the structure of football in the country. Half the ISL clubs are facing financial difficulties and if all the clubs are not on the same level financially, then what is the point of the competition? The competition is high only if everyone starts with the same amount of money and is under the framework of the same regulations.

Igor Stimac: Indian team has changed from kick and chase football to a more possession based game

South African cricketer and&nbsp;captain of Lancashire County Cricket Club, Dane Vilas, in an exclusive interview with WION's Sports Editor, Digvijay Singh Deo, opened up on lockdown experience, resumption of training for cricketers, social distancing in cricket, T20 World Cup, the financial impact of COVID-19 on the game, and much more.

Digvijay Singh Deo: Thank you for your time, Dane.&nbsp;How have you been through this period and how has life in lockdown been?

Dane Vilas: It's been strange and difficult at times. Given the situation around the world, I have been keeping well. Looking from the outside, it does seem as if things are getting better.

DSD: This virus has actually struck much closer than most imagine, your county chairman David Hodgkiss passed away after contracting the virus at the end of March.

Dane Vilas: It was very sad to lose him a couple of months back. He was a key figure at the Lancashire cricket club, a lovely man and someone I had a great relationship with. He was extremely passionate about the game and it is a great loss for the game and our club. Everyone is susceptible to the virus and it is crucial to stay safe in these trying times.

DSD: The lockdown has been pretty strict in England, much like in India, so how is your family coping in these times?

Dane Vilas: It has been difficult. When the lockdown began, we were only allowed to be outdoors for about 1 or 2 hours in a day, fortunately, there is a huge park in the Vicinity, so at least I was able to take the kids out for a bike ride. The good thing is that people are adhering to social distancing rules. Some of the restrictions have been relaxed lately, so people have been leaving their homes more often. I don't get the opportunity to spend much quality time with my family that often because I'm usually travelling during the county season, so in that sense, this is a welcome change. I have a 5-year-old son and 2-year-old daughter and it is great to be able to spend two whole months with them at a stretch. I'm obviously missing the game of cricket and sport in general. Social interaction has been minimal and that is a strange thing to get used to.so overall it has been a bittersweet time.

DSD: Sport is usually the great healer and we have seen the example of Rugby doing that in South Africa but at this time almost every sportsperson around the world is feeling helpless and perhaps frustrated as well.

Dane Vilas: Sport is definitely a massive industry and forms a huge part of many people's lives. Some people plan their whole week around a sporting event. Sport is an escape for people, it can help them relax and provide much-needed entertainment. It is hugely important for the mental well-being of the viewers and the players. All of us players want to return to action, so at the moment we're feeling like caged lions. The weather in England over the last couple of months has been perfect for cricket, so it is very frustrating to not play. However, I realise that the world is facing bigger problems at the moment. Various sports like football are trying to work around the problem and hopefully, cricket will resume soon. It is great to be able to entertain people and I can't wait to do that again.

<img alt="Dane Vilas" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a31f7cb6-ad00-4d31-8e58-aff446e9f35a" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_Del8383965.jpg" />

DSD: The ECB has taken the lead in allowing for limited training to resume across counties, so how has it been for you?

Dane Vilas: Right now, the domestic sides aren't allowed to practice outdoors. They are only allowing the national team to train on a trial basis.the priority for the ECB&nbsp;is to hold the test series against West Indies and Pakistan in the near future, so they will assess how safe it is to train and based on that, they will then create guidelines for the domestic players to return to training. I think it makes sense to open up training with a small group of players, so initially, only the bowlers will be able to practice.

DSD: Can social distancing happen on a cricket ground and during a match, it is, after all, a team sport and what is the fun in not having contact when say you score a 50 or a hundred or a bowler takes a catch.

Dane Vilas: In any team sport, the camaraderie among the players forms the essence of the game. It is definitely going to be difficult to practice social distancing while playing. However, I believe that players will be willing to make these small compromises for the sport to resume.

DSD: How will the life and career of a professional cricketer change now. You for one have a contract with Lancashire&nbsp;but if the season continues to get delayed then revenue gets affected and then there is also the trickle-down effect which ultimately gets down to the players...

Dane Vilas: Many county clubs, including Lancashire, have already been financially hit. All us players have taken a pay cut to help the organisation deal with the shutdown. We are fortunate that we still have our jobs, but I think a lot of employees are at the risk of losing theirs because of this crisis. There will definitely a trickle-down effect and we have already started to see the first stages of that phenomenon. I believe the whole landscape of the world will change because of the virus and cricket is no different. All we can do as sportspersons are adapt to the new normal. All of us in some way have adapted to the lockdown and that is the template to move forward. We have found ways to communicate with each other with the help of technology, with video calls and zoom meetings, which is a positive outcome of the crisis. Every adverse situation provides us with a new opportunity and I'm sure we will come out of this crisis stronger.

<img alt="Dane Vilas" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8c577298-8506-4093-84d3-8e57b0ab1db6" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_Del8385942.jpg" />

DSD: There are other revenue streams that are going to be affected, a lot was riding on the hundred for one in England but that’s been shelved.

Dane Vilas: It is extremely disappointing that the hundred has been cancelled. I know that the organisers had been working on the event for a few years and I'm sure it would have done wonders for the game of cricket in England. There was so much hype during the world cup in England in 2019 and all that momentum was supposed to culminate with the inaugural season of the hundred. Now the authorities have to go back to the drawing board and re-plan everything, which is a lot of hard work. It is hard to really predict how badly we will be hit in terms of our finances, we will only be able to get a clear answer in a couple of years because this crisis will certainly have a long-term effect on the game. As players, these things are not really in our control and we need to find a way to make the most of the situation.

DSD: Dane, you play across the world in T20 leagues, huge question marks over the IPL, the PSL got affected in March, will there always be a doubt in the minds of players when they step on a flight.

Dane Vilas: Over the last few years, there are many players who earn their basic living through these T20 leagues across the world. These specialised T20 players will suffer huge losses. The whole ecosystem will take a hit, that means it will affect everyone from the top dogs to the lesser players. There are travel restrictions present across the world and we have no idea when they will be lifted. The hardest part is not knowing when this crisis will be over or not knowing when we will be out on the field. There is no goal to work towards right now, so it takes time to come to terms with that reality.

As far as the risk of travelling is concerned, it completely depends on the individual. A young cricketer who lives alone might be willing to take that risk because he can isolate himself. On the other hand, a cricketer who lives with his family has young kids and is constantly in contact with his parents, will probably not be willing to put himself in harm's way. As people, we have to accept whatever decisions the players make without judgement because everyone has different circumstances. I think we also have to listen to the advice of the medical authorities because they have our best interests in mind and ultimately our health is the priority.

DSD: The ICC cricket committee has come up with a set of recommendations on the resumption of cricket. The big change they have suggested is the ban on the use of saliva on the ball, the bowlers aren't going to be too happy.

Dane Vilas: Yes, it will be difficult for the bowlers to generate that polish on the ball. I guess they will have to use more of their own sweat now. The ball manufacturers have also been experimenting with some sort of wax which might help with seam movement. However, you never know, this rule change might just help the bowlers become more skilful. All these measures are being undertaken on a trial basis and we haven't even begun playing cricket yet, so I think it is important to be patient. I have complete faith in the ICC and the cricket authorities that they will make the right decision for all the players and the stakeholders of the sport.

<img alt="Dane Vilas" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="30c77b25-456c-4fb2-bc2b-fec6b6bca5ae" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_1P69FU.jpg" />

DSD: But look at it this way,&nbsp;any sport currently, behind closed doors or not till we have a vaccine is bound to be risky. Should the template of the game be changed and is it fair in your opinion.

Dane Vilas: There is a need for the game to be flexible at the moment. Unfortunately, we have no blueprint or handbook on ways to deal with the coronavirus because this is a truly unprecedented crisis. The integrity of the game must be kept intact, but the sport must adapt and move forward, otherwise, we won't be able to play the game we love for a long time.

DSD: There is also a huge ICC tournament on this year down in Australia, now Australia at the moment is pretty much opening up gradually, what do you think, should the T20 world cup go ahead?

Dane Vilas: I am an optimistic person, so I think the tournament can go ahead. We are about five months away from the tournament starting and the situation is largely under control in Australia. The T20 world cup is a huge tournament, one of the flagship events of the ICC and it will be a great boost for the game of cricket. The ICC, though will not put any player at risk. Logistically it will be a challenge for the authorities to fly each team into Australia, but with what's at stake, they will be more than up to the task.

DSD: We are also now seeing sport starting to fight back. The German Bundesliga is back on and that sort of gives some hope to other athletes and leagues around the world. It will help in removing the anxiety of players returning to action, what do you reckon?

Dane Vilas: Absolutely. Sport has the power to inspire people, to bring people together from all walks of life. Sport can also help in uplifting the spirit of the people, which can in a way, help fight the virus. The ball is slowly starting to roll in terms of sporting action returning, the Bundesliga has started and Sri Lanka cricket is ready to host India and Bangladesh in July. Hopefully, by the end of the year, we can return to somewhat of normal life and we'll get to witness a great T20 world cup. 
&nbsp;

South African cricketer and captain of Lancashire County Cricket Club, Dane Vilas, in an exclusive interview with WION's Sports Editor, Digvijay Singh Deo, opened up on lockdown experience, resumption of training for cricketers, social distancing in cricket, T20 World Cup, the financial impact of COVID-19 on the game, and much more.

South African cricketer and captain of Lancashire County Cricket Club, Dane Vilas, in an exclusive interview with WION's Sports Editor, Digvijay Singh Deo, opened up on lockdown experience, resumption of training for cricketers, social distancing in cricket, T20 World Cup, the financial impact of COVID-19 on the game, and much more. Digvijay Singh Deo: Thank you for your time, Dane. How have you been through this period and how has life in lockdown been? Dane Vilas: It's been strange and difficult at times. Given the situation around the world, I have been keeping well. Looking from the outside, it does seem as if things are getting better. DSD: This virus has actually struck much closer than most imagine, your county chairman David Hodgkiss passed away after contracting the virus at the end of March. Dane Vilas: It was very sad to lose him a couple of months back. He was a key figure at the Lancashire cricket club, a lovely man and someone I had a great relationship with. He was extremely passionate about the game and it is a great loss for the game and our club. Everyone is susceptible to the virus and it is crucial to stay safe in these trying times. DSD: The lockdown has been pretty strict in England, much like in India, so how is your family coping in these times? Dane Vilas: It has been difficult. When the lockdown began, we were only allowed to be outdoors for about 1 or 2 hours in a day, fortunately, there is a huge park in the Vicinity, so at least I was able to take the kids out for a bike ride. The good thing is that people are adhering to social distancing rules. Some of the restrictions have been relaxed lately, so people have been leaving their homes more often. I don't get the opportunity to spend much quality time with my family that often because I'm usually travelling during the county season, so in that sense, this is a welcome change. I have a 5-year-old son and 2-year-old daughter and it is great to be able to spend two whole months with them at a stretch. I'm obviously missing the game of cricket and sport in general. Social interaction has been minimal and that is a strange thing to get used to.so overall it has been a bittersweet time. DSD: Sport is usually the great healer and we have seen the example of Rugby doing that in South Africa but at this time almost every sportsperson around the world is feeling helpless and perhaps frustrated as well. Dane Vilas: Sport is definitely a massive industry and forms a huge part of many people's lives. Some people plan their whole week around a sporting event. Sport is an escape for people, it can help them relax and provide much-needed entertainment. It is hugely important for the mental well-being of the viewers and the players. All of us players want to return to action, so at the moment we're feeling like caged lions. The weather in England over the last couple of months has been perfect for cricket, so it is very frustrating to not play. However, I realise that the world is facing bigger problems at the moment. Various sports like football are trying to work around the problem and hopefully, cricket will resume soon. It is great to be able to entertain people and I can't wait to do that again. DSD: The ECB has taken the lead in allowing for limited training to resume across counties, so how has it been for you? Dane Vilas: Right now, the domestic sides aren't allowed to practice outdoors. They are only allowing the national team to train on a trial basis.the priority for the ECB is to hold the test series against West Indies and Pakistan in the near future, so they will assess how safe it is to train and based on that, they will then create guidelines for the domestic players to return to training. I think it makes sense to open up training with a small group of players, so initially, only the bowlers will be able to practice. DSD: Can social distancing happen on a cricket ground and during a match, it is, after all, a team sport and what is the fun in not having contact when say you score a 50 or a hundred or a bowler takes a catch. Dane Vilas: In any team sport, the camaraderie among the players forms the essence of the game. It is definitely going to be difficult to practice social distancing while playing. However, I believe that players will be willing to make these small compromises for the sport to resume. DSD: How will the life and career of a professional cricketer change now. You for one have a contract with Lancashire but if the season continues to get delayed then revenue gets affected and then there is also the trickle-down effect which ultimately gets down to the players... Dane Vilas: Many county clubs, including Lancashire, have already been financially hit. All us players have taken a pay cut to help the organisation deal with the shutdown. We are fortunate that we still have our jobs, but I think a lot of employees are at the risk of losing theirs because of this crisis. There will definitely a trickle-down effect and we have already started to see the first stages of that phenomenon. I believe the whole landscape of the world will change because of the virus and cricket is no different. All we can do as sportspersons are adapt to the new normal. All of us in some way have adapted to the lockdown and that is the template to move forward. We have found ways to communicate with each other with the help of technology, with video calls and zoom meetings, which is a positive outcome of the crisis. Every adverse situation provides us with a new opportunity and I'm sure we will come out of this crisis stronger. DSD: There are other revenue streams that are going to be affected, a lot was riding on the hundred for one in England but that’s been shelved. Dane Vilas: It is extremely disappointing that the hundred has been cancelled. I know that the organisers had been working on the event for a few years and I'm sure it would have done wonders for the game of cricket in England. There was so much hype during the world cup in England in 2019 and all that momentum was supposed to culminate with the inaugural season of the hundred. Now the authorities have to go back to the drawing board and re-plan everything, which is a lot of hard work. It is hard to really predict how badly we will be hit in terms of our finances, we will only be able to get a clear answer in a couple of years because this crisis will certainly have a long-term effect on the game. As players, these things are not really in our control and we need to find a way to make the most of the situation. DSD: Dane, you play across the world in T20 leagues, huge question marks over the IPL, the PSL got affected in March, will there always be a doubt in the minds of players when they step on a flight. Dane Vilas: Over the last few years, there are many players who earn their basic living through these T20 leagues across the world. These specialised T20 players will suffer huge losses. The whole ecosystem will take a hit, that means it will affect everyone from the top dogs to the lesser players. There are travel restrictions present across the world and we have no idea when they will be lifted. The hardest part is not knowing when this crisis will be over or not knowing when we will be out on the field. There is no goal to work towards right now, so it takes time to come to terms with that reality. As far as the risk of travelling is concerned, it completely depends on the individual. A young cricketer who lives alone might be willing to take that risk because he can isolate himself. On the other hand, a cricketer who lives with his family has young kids and is constantly in contact with his parents, will probably not be willing to put himself in harm's way. As people, we have to accept whatever decisions the players make without judgement because everyone has different circumstances. I think we also have to listen to the advice of the medical authorities because they have our best interests in mind and ultimately our health is the priority. DSD: The ICC cricket committee has come up with a set of recommendations on the resumption of cricket. The big change they have suggested is the ban on the use of saliva on the ball, the bowlers aren't going to be too happy. Dane Vilas: Yes, it will be difficult for the bowlers to generate that polish on the ball. I guess they will have to use more of their own sweat now. The ball manufacturers have also been experimenting with some sort of wax which might help with seam movement. However, you never know, this rule change might just help the bowlers become more skilful. All these measures are being undertaken on a trial basis and we haven't even begun playing cricket yet, so I think it is important to be patient. I have complete faith in the ICC and the cricket authorities that they will make the right decision for all the players and the stakeholders of the sport. DSD: But look at it this way, any sport currently, behind closed doors or not till we have a vaccine is bound to be risky. Should the template of the game be changed and is it fair in your opinion. Dane Vilas: There is a need for the game to be flexible at the moment. Unfortunately, we have no blueprint or handbook on ways to deal with the coronavirus because this is a truly unprecedented crisis. The integrity of the game must be kept intact, but the sport must adapt and move forward, otherwise, we won't be able to play the game we love for a long time. DSD: There is also a huge ICC tournament on this year down in Australia, now Australia at the moment is pretty much opening up gradually, what do you think, should the T20 world cup go ahead? Dane Vilas: I am an optimistic person, so I think the tournament can go ahead. We are about five months away from the tournament starting and the situation is largely under control in Australia. The T20 world cup is a huge tournament, one of the flagship events of the ICC and it will be a great boost for the game of cricket. The ICC, though will not put any player at risk. Logistically it will be a challenge for the authorities to fly each team into Australia, but with what's at stake, they will be more than up to the task. DSD: We are also now seeing sport starting to fight back. The German Bundesliga is back on and that sort of gives some hope to other athletes and leagues around the world. It will help in removing the anxiety of players returning to action, what do you reckon? Dane Vilas: Absolutely. Sport has the power to inspire people, to bring people together from all walks of life. Sport can also help in uplifting the spirit of the people, which can in a way, help fight the virus. The ball is slowly starting to roll in terms of sporting action returning, the Bundesliga has started and Sri Lanka cricket is ready to host India and Bangladesh in July. Hopefully, by the end of the year, we can return to somewhat of normal life and we'll get to witness a great T20 world cup.

Dane Vilas: Saliva ban may force bowlers to become more skillful

Olympic-medallist and one of the greatest sporting icons of India, Vijender Singh, in an exclusive interview with WION's Sports Editor, Digvijay Singh Deo, spoke about a lot of things ranging from life in lockdown, Mike Tyson vs Evander Holyfield easing back to full fitness, India's boxing contingent for Tokyo Olympics, future of contact sports, and much more.

Digvijay Singh Deo: Vijender, you are a man of action so how frustrated has this lockdown left you?

Vijender Singh: I think it is important to stay at home while the virus is out there. By staying home, we are saving lives. This will be a tough battle and all of us have to play our part. So I'm home and spending quality time with my family.

DSD: The one thing that I have always admired about you is your street-smartness inside the boxing ring and it has helped you this time. You decided to move from your place in Gurgaon to your in-laws at the last moment...

Vijender Singh: Yes, that's true. I'm actually thinking about going to my village. Sometimes I feel a bit bored here and if the government restrictions are eased, then I will go to my village with the family and start working there. That will give me the opportunity to teach my son activities like gardening. The whole world is suffering in this crisis and the sporting calendar has been wrecked. Everyone is in the same boat, I just hope we can overcome this crisis together.

DSD: Fitness is everything in boxing so how have you been managing the last two months?

Vijender Singh: I'm not doing hardcore training, but still doing basic exercises like skipping drills and push-ups to maintain my fitness levels. I try to have a session at least once a day in the evening. Fortunately, I have some space here and I am using it to work out, so I can say that I am in shape.

DSD: At-least you can now head back to a boxing ring with the lockdown restrictions being eased obviously with certain safety precautions.

Vijender Singh: yes, it certainly is good news that athletes can return to their training. Albeit while following the government's strict guidelines. With the Olympics being 14 months away, it is important for the country's sportspersons to get back in the groove. However, I believe the athletes will still have a lot of apprehensions about competing at major events during the pandemic, even while training they will be extremely cautious.

DSD: How big a relief will that be for India's sportspersons.most of them have been stuck at home without any training for the last 2 months and you know that in high-intensity sports even a week without training needs a lot of catching up to do.

Vijender Singh: I think the athletes should only start individual training, they should travel to the facility or stadium, finish their session and come back home. We cannot start training in groups as I think it will increase the risk of infection. No crowds should be allowed in any facility and social distancing must still be maintained.

DSD: You won medals at the highest level for India be it at the Olympics, world championship, Asian games and commonwealth games. What advice do you have for those whose Olympic dream has been dashed by a year? So what was initially a 4-year journey to the Olympics is now a 5-year journey.

Vijender Singh: It is a huge mental challenge for all sportspersons, but there is no option. They have to keep their wits about them and stay focussed. I think it is also important to stay fit, which in itself is preparation for the Olympics next year. I would advise all the athletes not to leave their immediate premises and follow the guidelines. We are fighting an unprecedented pandemic and our health has to be the priority. We have to ensure that the virus does not reach the levels it has in countries like the USA, UK and Italy, where the damage has been absolutely devastating.

<img alt="VIJENDER: TOKYO BOUND BOXERS HAVE LOST MOMENTUM, WILL HAVE TO START FROM SCRATCH AGAIN" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9a8e02f0-361c-48f4-8858-e3f0af2ca94f" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_Del222580.jpg" />

DSD: Tell us why it is extremely difficult for the boxers who have qualified for the Olympics. It's 14 more months of pushing your body to the limit isn't it every single day. I have seen you train for the Olympics and after every session, all of you were flat on your beds sleeping. It is extremely brutal.

Vijender Singh: There is extra effort, which also means extra pressure on the athletes. When you train for the Olympics, there is an internal battle as well. It definitely takes a toll. Most of the athletes must have been approaching the final stages of their preparation for the Tokyo Olympics in march this year, but now they have to start from scratch. I think it is a huge setback for athletes because all the momentum has been lost. I hope the athletes can adapt and win medals for the country at next year's Olympics.

DSD: You started India's boxing story at the Olympics in Beijing in 2008. Now already 9 boxers qualified for the Olympics which is the most and we still have one more shot. We had a lull in 2016 but how do you see this crop of boxers...

Vijender Singh: I must say their recent performances have been excellent. Nine Indian boxers have qualified for the Olympics, making it the country's largest contingent ever for the event. That just shows how far Indian boxing has come, I am confident that the contingent will be able to make the country proud. Amit Panghal is a world-class boxer, he is world No&nbsp;1 right now and also the reigning Asian Games gold medalist, so there is no reason why he cannot do well at the Olympics.

DSD: Two of them though still around from your time, Vikas Krishan and Mary Kom. Just looking at them shows what that Olympic passion is all about. Twice Vikas has come close and mary is fighting age...

Vijender Singh: It is all the more difficult for mary because she has four kids now. It is a very hard balancing act but she is able to somehow manage. She is an inspiration to all Indians, including me. Her determination is exemplary and she instils belief in all of us. Vikas is a very experienced boxer, he has been to two Olympics and that will work in his favour at next year's games. &nbsp;

<img alt="VIJENDER: TOKYO BOUND BOXERS HAVE LOST MOMENTUM, WILL HAVE TO START FROM SCRATCH AGAIN" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="4cd0eca8-05db-4854-875e-5cda5f7ecbd4" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_DV846765.jpg" />

DSD: Is it going to be easy to train especially in contact sports. The athletes in most non-contact sports can get back to their lives but if you have seen say the boxing s.o.p for resumption then how do you train without sparring.

Vijender Singh: Frankly speaking, I have no idea. The coaches might have a plan in mind, but you can only train with a punching bag for so many days. At the end of the day, you need a sparring partner and I have no idea when boxers will be able to train in pairs. The only thing we can do is hope that these restrictions are relaxed soon.

DSD: Some of the other rules, for example, are also bizarre, no physiotherapy or massages…these are extremely crucial aspects for elite performance.

Vijender Singh: Injuries are extremely common in boxing. It's part of the sport, I get cuts, bruises and scars after my bouts and one need physio or a trainer to recover. Unfortunately, right now strict guidelines do need to be followed and we must adhere to them.

DSD: I think there has to come a time when you have to let go of this fear, of course, while taking the necessary precautions. Organising a training camp with minimal number of individuals is a real possibility.

Vijender Singh: When you are training for an event like the Olympics, athletes also need to be able to cool off and let their hair down. It is essential for their mental well-being because there is so much pressure on them. This will not be possible in a quarantine camp as they will be stuck in a sort of containment zone. From time to time, athletes need to be able to relax, go out and interact with other people. If the athletes do nothing but train, then it will invite more pressure on them.

<img alt="VIJENDER: TOKYO BOUND BOXERS HAVE LOST MOMENTUM, WILL HAVE TO START FROM SCRATCH AGAIN" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="71334705-207b-47f3-9692-ab8af47d24b1" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_D993O_0.jpg" />

DSD: For you Vijender, where does this pandemic leave your professional boxing career. Its been a while since you last fought and chances of travelling abroad look bleak at the moment.

Vijender Singh: I have made a kind of road-map for the future with my trainers. I am going to start isolated training sessions soon. Earlier I was supposed to train in the US, but obviously that is not possible right now. The eventual plan is to be able to hold bouts in India, which can be shown live to viewers on the internet or television. Although this is just a tentative plan, nothing is set in stone.

DSD: I hope you have been following what is going on in the world of boxing. Two all-time greats Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield been showing off their skills .what do you make of it.

Vijender Singh: it is absolutely incredible that they are thinking of a coming back to the ring at this age. I actually met Evander Holyfield a while back in Los Angeles and I must say he looked extremely fit. The key is to be able to stay fit at that age. If the Tyson vs Holyfield match does go ahead, it will be the biggest bout of the century.

DSD: Both want to fight again, there is talk of an exhibition fight considering the history. But at their age isn't this is a huge risk.

Vijender Singh: No, I don't think so. Both of them are at the same age and if they feel they can get back into the ring, then they should be fine. Boxing is all about heart. I don't think it will be a great danger, both of them are legends of the game and they certainly know how to fight. Boxing fans around the world will love to see them back in action.

<img alt="VIJENDER: TOKYO BOUND BOXERS HAVE LOST MOMENTUM, WILL HAVE TO START FROM SCRATCH AGAIN" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="1199b4e9-4b42-4d9a-bd5c-316bcb03dced" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_R99MU.jpg" />

DSD: Who has impressed you more? I must say I was feeling for Mike Tyson's trainer in the video he posted, Tyson was really going at it.

Vijender Singh: Yes, Tyson is looking menacing, but Holyfield is an animal. I have been a fan of Holyfield for a long time and my money is on him if a fight happens.

DSD: What is that one thing you are most looking forward to doing once the lockdown ends?

Vijender Singh: I just to want to take a long holiday and relax. I'm thinking about going to goa, maybe that will be the perfect way to enter life in the post-COVID era. 
&nbsp;

Olympic-medallist and one of the greatest sporting icons of India, Vijender Singh, in an exclusive interview with WION's Sports Editor, Digvijay Singh Deo, spoke about a lot of things ranging from life in lockdown, Mike Tyson vs Evander Holyfield easing back to full fitness, India's boxing contingent for Tokyo Olympics, future of contact sports, and much more.

Olympic-medallist and one of the greatest sporting icons of India, Vijender Singh, in an exclusive interview with WION's Sports Editor, Digvijay Singh Deo, spoke about a lot of things ranging from life in lockdown, Mike Tyson vs Evander Holyfield easing back to full fitness, India's boxing contingent for Tokyo Olympics, future of contact sports, and much more. Digvijay Singh Deo: Vijender, you are a man of action so how frustrated has this lockdown left you? Vijender Singh: I think it is important to stay at home while the virus is out there. By staying home, we are saving lives. This will be a tough battle and all of us have to play our part. So I'm home and spending quality time with my family. DSD: The one thing that I have always admired about you is your street-smartness inside the boxing ring and it has helped you this time. You decided to move from your place in Gurgaon to your in-laws at the last moment... Vijender Singh: Yes, that's true. I'm actually thinking about going to my village. Sometimes I feel a bit bored here and if the government restrictions are eased, then I will go to my village with the family and start working there. That will give me the opportunity to teach my son activities like gardening. The whole world is suffering in this crisis and the sporting calendar has been wrecked. Everyone is in the same boat, I just hope we can overcome this crisis together. DSD: Fitness is everything in boxing so how have you been managing the last two months? Vijender Singh: I'm not doing hardcore training, but still doing basic exercises like skipping drills and push-ups to maintain my fitness levels. I try to have a session at least once a day in the evening. Fortunately, I have some space here and I am using it to work out, so I can say that I am in shape. DSD: At-least you can now head back to a boxing ring with the lockdown restrictions being eased obviously with certain safety precautions. Vijender Singh: yes, it certainly is good news that athletes can return to their training. Albeit while following the government's strict guidelines. With the Olympics being 14 months away, it is important for the country's sportspersons to get back in the groove. However, I believe the athletes will still have a lot of apprehensions about competing at major events during the pandemic, even while training they will be extremely cautious. DSD: How big a relief will that be for India's sportspersons.most of them have been stuck at home without any training for the last 2 months and you know that in high-intensity sports even a week without training needs a lot of catching up to do. Vijender Singh: I think the athletes should only start individual training, they should travel to the facility or stadium, finish their session and come back home. We cannot start training in groups as I think it will increase the risk of infection. No crowds should be allowed in any facility and social distancing must still be maintained. DSD: You won medals at the highest level for India be it at the Olympics, world championship, Asian games and commonwealth games. What advice do you have for those whose Olympic dream has been dashed by a year? So what was initially a 4-year journey to the Olympics is now a 5-year journey. Vijender Singh: It is a huge mental challenge for all sportspersons, but there is no option. They have to keep their wits about them and stay focussed. I think it is also important to stay fit, which in itself is preparation for the Olympics next year. I would advise all the athletes not to leave their immediate premises and follow the guidelines. We are fighting an unprecedented pandemic and our health has to be the priority. We have to ensure that the virus does not reach the levels it has in countries like the USA, UK and Italy, where the damage has been absolutely devastating. DSD: Tell us why it is extremely difficult for the boxers who have qualified for the Olympics. It's 14 more months of pushing your body to the limit isn't it every single day. I have seen you train for the Olympics and after every session, all of you were flat on your beds sleeping. It is extremely brutal. Vijender Singh: There is extra effort, which also means extra pressure on the athletes. When you train for the Olympics, there is an internal battle as well. It definitely takes a toll. Most of the athletes must have been approaching the final stages of their preparation for the Tokyo Olympics in march this year, but now they have to start from scratch. I think it is a huge setback for athletes because all the momentum has been lost. I hope the athletes can adapt and win medals for the country at next year's Olympics. DSD: You started India's boxing story at the Olympics in Beijing in 2008. Now already 9 boxers qualified for the Olympics which is the most and we still have one more shot. We had a lull in 2016 but how do you see this crop of boxers... Vijender Singh: I must say their recent performances have been excellent. Nine Indian boxers have qualified for the Olympics, making it the country's largest contingent ever for the event. That just shows how far Indian boxing has come, I am confident that the contingent will be able to make the country proud. Amit Panghal is a world-class boxer, he is world No 1 right now and also the reigning Asian Games gold medalist, so there is no reason why he cannot do well at the Olympics. DSD: Two of them though still around from your time, Vikas Krishan and Mary Kom. Just looking at them shows what that Olympic passion is all about. Twice Vikas has come close and mary is fighting age... Vijender Singh: It is all the more difficult for mary because she has four kids now. It is a very hard balancing act but she is able to somehow manage. She is an inspiration to all Indians, including me. Her determination is exemplary and she instils belief in all of us. Vikas is a very experienced boxer, he has been to two Olympics and that will work in his favour at next year's games. DSD: Is it going to be easy to train especially in contact sports. The athletes in most non-contact sports can get back to their lives but if you have seen say the boxing s.o.p for resumption then how do you train without sparring. Vijender Singh: Frankly speaking, I have no idea. The coaches might have a plan in mind, but you can only train with a punching bag for so many days. At the end of the day, you need a sparring partner and I have no idea when boxers will be able to train in pairs. The only thing we can do is hope that these restrictions are relaxed soon. DSD: Some of the other rules, for example, are also bizarre, no physiotherapy or massages…these are extremely crucial aspects for elite performance. Vijender Singh: Injuries are extremely common in boxing. It's part of the sport, I get cuts, bruises and scars after my bouts and one need physio or a trainer to recover. Unfortunately, right now strict guidelines do need to be followed and we must adhere to them. DSD: I think there has to come a time when you have to let go of this fear, of course, while taking the necessary precautions. Organising a training camp with minimal number of individuals is a real possibility. Vijender Singh: When you are training for an event like the Olympics, athletes also need to be able to cool off and let their hair down. It is essential for their mental well-being because there is so much pressure on them. This will not be possible in a quarantine camp as they will be stuck in a sort of containment zone. From time to time, athletes need to be able to relax, go out and interact with other people. If the athletes do nothing but train, then it will invite more pressure on them. DSD: For you Vijender, where does this pandemic leave your professional boxing career. Its been a while since you last fought and chances of travelling abroad look bleak at the moment. Vijender Singh: I have made a kind of road-map for the future with my trainers. I am going to start isolated training sessions soon. Earlier I was supposed to train in the US, but obviously that is not possible right now. The eventual plan is to be able to hold bouts in India, which can be shown live to viewers on the internet or television. Although this is just a tentative plan, nothing is set in stone. DSD: I hope you have been following what is going on in the world of boxing. Two all-time greats Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield been showing off their skills .what do you make of it. Vijender Singh: it is absolutely incredible that they are thinking of a coming back to the ring at this age. I actually met Evander Holyfield a while back in Los Angeles and I must say he looked extremely fit. The key is to be able to stay fit at that age. If the Tyson vs Holyfield match does go ahead, it will be the biggest bout of the century. DSD: Both want to fight again, there is talk of an exhibition fight considering the history. But at their age isn't this is a huge risk. Vijender Singh: No, I don't think so. Both of them are at the same age and if they feel they can get back into the ring, then they should be fine. Boxing is all about heart. I don't think it will be a great danger, both of them are legends of the game and they certainly know how to fight. Boxing fans around the world will love to see them back in action. DSD: Who has impressed you more? I must say I was feeling for Mike Tyson's trainer in the video he posted, Tyson was really going at it. Vijender Singh: Yes, Tyson is looking menacing, but Holyfield is an animal. I have been a fan of Holyfield for a long time and my money is on him if a fight happens. DSD: What is that one thing you are most looking forward to doing once the lockdown ends? Vijender Singh: I just to want to take a long holiday and relax. I'm thinking about going to goa, maybe that will be the perfect way to enter life in the post-COVID era.

Vijender: Tokyo-bound boxers have lost momentum, will have to start from scratch again

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Zee News Rajasthan

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Digvijay Singh Deo

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Rajasthan News in Hindi: In-depth coverage of Rajasthan Crime, Political News, Education, Rajasthan Weather Update and Latest Rajasthan News on Zee News Rajasthan.