more-inAnant Bhagwat, who has played 20 matches against the legendary Nandu Natekar and just won a doubles contest, wondered why India’s foremost badminton player of yesteryear was never bestowed the Padma award. Occupying centrestage right through the evening, Natekar was certainly not amused by Bhagwat’s outpouring of sentiments. I never thought of awards those days,” responded Natekar. Former National men’s doubles winner Anil Pradhan, Natekar’s son Gaurav and Legends Club president Madhav Apte spoke about Natekar as a great player and fine person. Touching upon the current badminton scene in the country, Natekar agreed with Prakash Padukone that India is going through a golden era.

Source: The Hindu May 13, 2018 15:56 UTC