Harsheel Dani, a 21 years old badminton player from Mumbai is making his mark in the game, being the under 19 Singles Champion, he has represented India in World and Asian Junior Championship and so on. He has recently won Ghana International in Singles category and currently training under Uday Pawar’s Academy in Mumbai, nothing is going to stop this young athlete to reach on the top, he has a long way to go and we’re sure, he is the next big thing in this sport. Have a sneak peak of the remarkable journey he has made so far.

We are keen to know; how did your journey begin?

I used to see my father play badminton and some days later I joined him and received a basic guidance of the game then eventually I ended up in making a career in it just as how a hobby changes to a passion and then it becomes a profession.

What’s your success mantra?

“Just Believe in Yourself”

Beyond Badminton

What were the hardships/hurdles you encountered and the way you overcame in your journey?

Sacrificing school days, college days and the social life is a difficult as those are also a crucial phase of your life, and talking about hardships, I did not face any as such, all thanks to my parents as they provide me everything.

Success is incomplete without its share of failures. How should one overcome them to move on?

To believe in ourselves, keep working harder & harder day by day and having the confidence in our self is all that it takes to become successful.

Do you think Badminton and its learnings can be helpful in life even if one does not want to consider it as a career goal?

Yes, badminton is a very intelligent sport, mental and physical coordination is much needed which triggers the betterment of our health & fitness and keeps us active.

Who has been your influencer in this journey & how?

My father, because of him I started playing badminton.

Which was “that” moment when you considered yourself as “I Am The 1”?

Every time you do something, your desire of achieving more and more intensifies. I felt more confident after winning the recent tournament, I felt like I can win more.

Did you get any formal training and how was that journey?

It’s been a very incredible journey between me and my coach Uday Pawar.

Could you reflect on the importance of systematic training in Badminton?

It must be a systematic journey with proper planning & execution if you really wish to achieve your goal, everything must be in order, it’s a gradual process. ‘Great things take Time’

What are the pre-coaching essentials e.g. Right age, mindset or any other?

Right kind of age is very important, you just can’t choose badminton (as a career) at a very later age, the career and timespan of the sport are very small. So, starting young is a preferable choice for any sport as a flexible physique is very significant.

Technology and scientific training have been changing the way people get trained in Badminton. What’s your take?

Since technology is subtly contributing its share towards sports, some major impact has unequivocally occurred which has eventually made our careers conveniently better.

How can one select an ideal ‘Guru’ for getting formal training for Badminton?

It’s not about selecting an ideal Guru, there are coaches who only train the beginners, some coaches train the senior and there a few coaches who only trains the winners, it depends upon under whom you’re going to get trained.

What according to you, can be a scope for improvement in training for Badminton in India?

The badminton training or take any mainstream sport’s training in India is revamping day by day, we have players who are performing in a very good measure, with consistency, the proliferating cut-throat competition in our country Is very good, compared to the other countries.

What do you suggest for better accessibility of Badminton in remote parts of India?

In the rural parts of India, infrastructure should improve which would result in establishing more academies or centers of sports, which as a result would uplift and encourage the aspiring sportspersons from the remote areas so that they could also get an opportunity to perform at various international platforms.

Your piece of advice to parents and new generation especially when some people are skeptical about a career in the extra curriculum.

The parents must change their mentality and they shouldn’t follow the stereotypical society, they should encourage their kids to do whatever they like regardless of any specific sport or art form. they should guide them rather than dictating them to forcefully choose a career in which they don’t desire to be in.

One thing which you feel you want to change from the past while you walk down memory lane

“Ummm…...My fitness level.

How can one identify & encourage talent in the family?

Pushing the person towards achieving his/her goal, supporting him/her in every possible way so that he/she never gives up or loses focus is on how a family should encourage the budding talent.

Any other thoughts you want to share?

I would like to thank my coach - Uday Pawar, my sponsors, Yonex, Go Sports Foundation, my support team, all the doctors, the physios and my family for supporting me and believing in me.