August 8, 2019
In our August campaign #IStandIndependent on emerging para
sportspersons, we feature Palak Kohli. From Jalandhar, Punjab, this teenager
made a spectacular entry on the Indian para badminton scene in her debut
national event this year. Read more.
With three gold medals in her first national para games this year,
Palak Kohli has firmly established herself as a star on the
Indian para badminton scene. Which is no small achievement when you consider
how intensely competitive this sport has become with Indian para shuttlers
winning over 240 medals in national and international events since 2014.
Palak, who is just 16, is a class 12 student of Police DAV Public
School in Jalandhar. Her gold medals at the 3rd
National Para Badminton Championships 2019 in Uttarakhand were
across three categories – women’s singles, women’s double and girls’
single U-19. She was also second runner-up in the mixed doubles, making her
the master of all categories.
Watching her on court is an awesome experience, even more remarkable when you
consider that she does not have a fully developed left arm, a disability from
birth. That didn’t prevent her from developing a keen interest in sports,
despite many odds.
People used to stare at me and ask questions and make comments like
bechaari. When I started going to school, I felt awkward and
different, like I was a discard. I would never be included in games like
cricket, volleyball or basketball. No one wanted me on their team and at
the most I could be a referee or watch classmates play. I never got an
opportunity because of the negative attitudes towards disability and the
fact that I was a disabled girl made it harder. – Palak Kohli, Para
badminton champion
Palak was 14 when a shopping trip changed her life. She was looking to train
in badminton at the time and happened to run into Gaurav
Khanna, Head Coach of the Indian para badminton
team and widely credited with the amazing popularity and rise of para
badminton in India. Khanna, who has a keen interest in finding and
encouraging new talent, asked Palak to start training with him. There’s
been no looking back since.
“More than talent, there has to be the zeal to play”, says Khanna, “and
Palak has that in plenty. She also has great family support which is a big
advantage. Girls tend to be harder to persuade, their parents are
overprotective and that’s understandable. Palak’s parents have been there
for her and support her financially and in terms of moral support”.
Palak’s father Mahesh Kohli, a businessman, is committed
to backing her fully in her goal to excel at the game. “We are so proud of
Palak. We never thought she would come this far and given her struggles with
her disability in school, I am happy for her”.
Badminton, says Palak, has helped her overcome the bechaari tag. “It
has given me an identity. I have been made the school sports
captain and people who earlier never wanted me on their team now ask
for me. I am a winner now”.
Palak’s immediate goal is to qualify for the 2020
Paralympics. Going ahead she has ambitious plans. “For 2024 and
further, it’s only GOLD in Olympics”, says this determined teenager.
Palak is currently training in Lucknow, flush with her recent medals haul at
national and international events. She has had to wait long to take her shot.
“When Gaurav sir started my training in 2017, the nationals were about to
begin in Bengaluru he didn’t allow me to participate. In 2018, he again
refused as he felt I was not ready. He wanted to see me as national champion
and said I should focus on my training and that’s what I did. He told to
trust him, and I am glad I did.”
Palak has won two international medals this year too at the Uganda
Para Badminton International Tournament – a gold in women’s
doubles and silver in women’s singles. “Palak and Parul
Parmar are currently ranked world number 4 in women’s doubles”,
says Khanna. “If they hold this, they have a great future. I am working on
both of them to ensure an Olympic qualification. It’s a big plan and will
be a surprise for India”, he promises.
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