New Delhi: Former Asian badminton champion Dinesh Khanna feels Indian shuttlers, including two-time World Championship bronze medallist PV Sindhu, can win medals at next year's Rio Olympics but they need to find a way to deal with mental pressure during big matches.
"Saina Nehwal and PV Sindhu will do well in the Olympics. Sindhu is doing really well, but she often comes under pressure," said Khanna on the sidelines of PNB MetLife Junior Badminton championship here.
"Sindhu defeats most of the players above her ranking, but often she fails with players below her ranking. I think she comes under mental pressure.
"Nerves also play a role in big matches like Olympics. Winning in Olympics depends upon the form of the day," said Khanna, who is also an Arjuna Awardee.
Talking about medal prospect in men's singles in Rio Olympics, Khanna said he is hopeful that K Srikanth and Ajay Jayaram will do well.
"It depends on who qualifies for Olympics. But I think K Srikanth and Ajay Jayaram are doing well," Khanna said.
Khanna also said that international-level shuttlers in India should be involved in coaching our national teams after they retire from their playing career.
"There is a tendency that the senior international-level players are moving to corporate sectors after their career.
But, it is important to bring them back to the field as coaches," Khanna said.
Referring to his historic victory in 1965 Asian Championship, Khanna said he did not get any felicitation from the sports authority.
"It has become 50 long years and they might not have remembered it. I have't got any formal message from them," said Khanna, who had achieved the feat on November 14, 1965.
Download the all new Deccan Chronicle app for Android and iOS to stay up-to-date with latest headlines and news stories in politics, entertainment, sports, technology, business and much more from India and around the world.
