Jwala Gutta, Ashwini Ponnappa Demand Separate Coaches

In a closely-contested final, India's Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa beat top seeds Selena Piek and Eefje Meskens of Holland, to win the Canada Open. The third-seeded Indians won 21-19, 21-16 in the final that lasted 35 minutes.

This was Jwala and Ashwini's first title after their multiple splits, and eventual reunion, in the last couple of years.

"This may not be a Super Series title, but it's a Grand Prix win. And this being an Olympic year, every tournament is important, as all players are trying to qualify," Ashwini Ponnappa told NDTV from Calgary.

 

The pair, currently ranked 13th in the world, was ignored for the government's Target Olympic Podium (TOP) scheme, that provides athletes with funding for training for next year's Rio Olympics. (Canada Open Win Big Boost Ahead of World Championship: Ashwini)

Currently, an amount of Rs 30 crore has been allotted to badminton by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, that covers six of India's best singles players only, and no doubles players at all.

"I do hope this win improves our ranking, and makes the government change their decision about us. They need to understand that if we're given adequate funding and support, we have a very good chance of qualifying for Rio," said Ashwini.

The pair, who shot into limelight with their gold at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, went on to win a World Championship bronze in 2012. At last year's Commonwealth Games in Glasgow too, they won a silver. (Saina Nehwal to Get Rs 9 Lakh for Physiotherapist)

Despite competing in a team event, Jwala and Ashwini train separately, as it's not been feasible for them to make things work out otherwise.

While Ashwini trains at the Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy in Bengaluru, Jwala stays and trains in Hyderabad. "It's a massive challenge,"Ashwini told NDTV. "But Jwala and my understanding on the court is great. We see where we're lacking, and then go back to our respective training centres to work on it. That's how it has been working so far."

The duo will focus on the World Championships in Indonesia in August. But to do better in bigger tournaments and improve their ranking further, specialised training is the need of the hour.

"We've been demanding a separate coach for very long, but nobody's heard us," said Ashwini. "This is an Olympic year, and I think the authorities should make an exception this time."