Mumbai: As India has cemented its rising stature in world badminton by producing world class shuttlers such as P.V. Sindhu, Saina Nehwal and Kidambi Srikanth, it has also emerged as the most attractive destination to promote the sport of badminton. Badminton greats such as Lee Chong Wei, Lin Dan, Taufik Hidayat, Peter Gade and Lee Yong Dae were in Mumbai on November 4 at The National Sports Club of India (NSCI) to interact with young players, and badminton coaches as part of the 2017 Legends’ Vision World Tour.
In one of the few exhibition matches that was organized throughout the Saturday evening, Indian badminton fans were cheering vociferously for their home stars P.V. Sindhu and Saina Nehwal when both teamed up to beat Lee Chong Wei and Lin Dan in a 5-point exhibition match. The rally ended after Lin Dan’s was not able to return a smash from Nehwal, conceding the match to the ladies.
Count the number of smashes hit by @Pvsindhu1 and @NSaina in this awesome rally! #TheLegendsVision pic.twitter.com/K8U6PyYV0e
— Yonex Sunrise India (@YonexInd) November 5, 2017
Four of these top badminton players were also playing in another mixed doubles match on Saturday. The 2017 Rio Olympic silver medalist P.V. Sindhu partnered two-time Olympic champion, Lin Dan, while both former World No. 1 Lee Chong Wei (men’s singles) and Saina Nehwal (women’s singles) were on the other side of the net.
All four players had the whole crowd holding their breath with Lee and Sindhu’s jump smashes, Nehwal’s trick net play and Lin’s brilliant all-around play. The exhibition match ended when Sindhu hit the shuttle to Lee, Lee sent a slightly high return, and Lin kill the shuttle near the net to claim the victory.
These superstars play so fast that we had to slow it up. Watch and be mesmerised! #TheLegendsVision pic.twitter.com/1czb87JZ4c
— Yonex Sunrise India (@YonexInd) November 5, 2017
Result did not really matter at the Legends’ Vision World Tour. The joy of seeing these badminton greats weaving their magic on the court has surpassed everything else.
See below for he men’s doubles match between Lin Dan/Lee Chong Wei against Lee Yong-Dae/Kidambi Srikanth.
We witnessed @LeeChongWei & Lin Dan on the same side of the court as they faced @srikidambi & Lee Yong Dae. Watch!#TheLegendsVision pic.twitter.com/9RQzYeEoUX
— Yonex Sunrise India (@YonexInd) November 5, 2017
The Legends’ Vision World Tour was first launched in 2015 by badminton equipment manufacturers Yonex in an attempt to increase awareness of the sport across the globe. The next stop for The Legends’ Vision World Tour will be in Paris, France on December 3rd.
