Aparna is a lot more mature now

THE NIGHTMARE is finally over for the National champion Aparna Popat, one of the brightest stars on the Indian badminton horizon. Aparna, the three time National champion, a former winner of French Open title (1998) and runner-up in World Junior championship (1996), spent the past three months serving out a ban imposed by the International Badminton Federation for an inadvertent intake of cold pill which had a banned drug content (Phenlypropanolamine) during the Uber Cup preliminaries held in New Delhi in February.

The ban saw Aparna plummet from a high of 28 to post ban low of 52 and it has also put her chances of qualifying for the Olympics in jeopardy. The fate had indeed played a cruel joke, on one of the most dedicated sportswomen in the country.

In more ways than one, IBF's action was harsh, considering the innocuous offence and many in the Indian badminton circles felt that Aparna had been made scapegoat in IBF's bid to please the International Olympic Committee in the Olympic Year.

``They seem to tell IOC, see how clean we are, we have cracked down on even such minor offence like that'', said a National coach, who fumed over the `injustice' of the ban. ``Can they dare do it to a Chinese or Indonesian player? We Indians, make nice bakras for the IBF''. His fulminations apart, IBF felt it had done the right thing.'' We are determined to root out the drug menace in the game, though Aparna's issue was unfortunate, we would not like to be seen lenient even in such cases of accidental intake of drug'', said Neil Cameron, the IBF Director.

Aparna is slowly coming out of that painful phase. ``I am glad it's all over now and I have started playing now. All I now want to do is get on with the game, putting the past behind'', said Aparna.

Tracing the origin of the issue, Aparna said: ``It all began during my training in Bangalore for the Uber Cup in February. I was not well and skipped training for a week, before we left for Delhi. I left for Delhi via Mumbai, and I was feeling uncomfortable with severe cold and I bought this medicine D'Cold Total at the airport chemist shop. I was told it was very effective for cold. I took it for a day and half and felt lot better. But in Delhi, I developed severe cold again and I couldn't breathe properly. I took a few more D'Cold pills to keep playing. I was totally unaware that it had any banned substance as one of its contents. Even during the random test, I was not really worried, because as far I knew, I was not on any drug''.

But her hopes were belied when the random test results went against her.'' I knew the result before I went on the European Tour in March, even at that stage, I did not think much of it and all of us felt that since it was an inadvertent act, it will be overlooked, possibly with warning for a first offence. It wasn't any big deal and I wanted to get over with the hearing.Aparna went for the IBF hearing on March 10 after she made her exit from the All-England championship where she lost in the pre-quarter- finals. In her defence, she explained the circumstances that led to taking the cold pill and she hoped her explanations will be accepted. But IBF thought otherwise, and handed out an unexpected ban.'' It was like a bolt from the blue, I never expected that even in my wildest dreams that I will be actually barred for three months'', said Aparna.

The ban meant Aparna, who was set to play in the French Open a few days later (from March 1) had to forego the tournament. She was last year's runner-up and had won the title in Paris in 1998. Initially, Aparna was upset and when she was on the verge of coming out of the gloom, she was dealt a double blow, when IBF rankings dropped drastically and put her chances for qualifying for the Sydney Olympics in peril.

``The drop stunned me. I had gained lot of points thanks to my good showing in Uber Cup matches, but all that was a waste as my average hit the bottom'', recalled Aparna.

Aparna, managed to get over that blues also. ``As I rationalised during the period, there were not many tournaments, the rankings I can always make up after my return.But what disappointed me was the fact the Olympic chances had suffered.Playing the Olympics was a cherished ambition'', said the Indian ace.

Even as she was composing herself mentally, Aparna developed health problems and she had to undergo a dental surgery for the removal of wisdom tooth. ``It is not that all problems piled together.They, mercifully, came one after the other and I was able to cope with them one by one'', said Aparna.

Aparna was grateful that the badminton fraternity in the country rallied round to her support. ``Nobody pointed a finger at me and everyone knew that it was a mistake. All the players, friends and coaches were supportive in the worst moment of my life. Even my old school friends, mailed me cheer messages. I am really grateful to them''.

But what touched her was Prakash Padukone's gesture. ``He took the responsibility for the mistake and shielded me from further damages. Only Prakash sir can do that'', feels Aparna.

Was there a way out of the problem? There are enough critics to point out that an average Indian sportsperson totally lacks knowledge of the drug issue and Aparna paid for her ignorance. ``I wouldn't say that. We in the camp, had a session on that.But as I was not well, I could not attend it. I think, nobody in the country, atleast in badminton wantonly goes and takes a drug to put a better show.''

But if a common cold tablet can be classified as a drug, what happens to the players if he or she develops cold? ``They say grin and bear it or try a paracetamol. That is not fair. It can cure cold. When your nose is blocked, you can't even breathe and how can anyone play? They should revise the rule on usage of medicines for cold.

Aparna is back to training now. ``I am not fully fit yet but I am playing at 70 per cent of my level.'' She hopes to play in Malaysian and Singapore Open in August. But it will not improve her chances for the Olympics as the cut off date is over. She will later play in the European Circuit in October. ``My goal now is to get back all those points I had lost and claim again the world rankings as early as possible'', said Aparna.

There are no long term plans though. ``Whenever I set a goal, some thing or other happens, so I am content to play well and see what happens'', said the champion.

Aparna has the strokes, mental toughness and a positive attitude towards the game. But what she needs is speed and total fitness to attain consistency at the international level.

The resignation of her mentor Prakash Padukone has left her with mixed feelings. ``With Prakash at the helm, the game had improved tremendously, there were more tournaments, prize money, overseas exposure and publicity as well. But then as he put it he was probably not cut out for such things.He was very happy with us on the court and training us. It is not that Prakash sir, is leaving the game, though he is not in the BAI. He will be with us always'', said Aparna.

In the aftermath of ban, Aparna sounds more mature and philosophical in her outlook. ``It (the ban) showed me, God likes to crack a joke at an unexpected moment, and one has to be prepared for any eventuality and trust in God'', signed off Aparna, with an impish smile.

KALYAN ASHOK

Bangalore

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