Surabhi Kadam won Fair Play & Official Youth Ambassador award at Junior World meet in Mexico.
Non-Resident Gujaratis (NRGs) have recently been making their mark in various fields, ranging from diamond business to top positions in US politics and genetic creation to space exploration. Adding to this growing list of achievers is Vadodara-born shuttler Surabhi Kadam. Representing Canada, Surabhi was awarded the Fair Play & Official Youth Ambassador award at the Junior World Championships in Mexico recently.
"It was the biggest moment of my career. When my name was announced, I was flabbergasted," said Surabhi, who will turn 18 next month. Surabhi's family moved to Canada when she was 10, and she has been playing the game for more than a decade.
Surabhi had a three-week training stint at the Gopichand Academy in Hyderabad and is now spending quality time with her family. Incidentally, she received an award from Gopichand's hands when she was 10 and participating in the National Games.
Like many fans of the game, Surabhi didn't miss the opportunity to meet the new superstar, Saina Nehwal. "Saina is very down to earth. She has no airs. We met during a lunch session and she lent me her ears without pausing. I learnt a lot of things from her during that short but vital interactive meeting," Surabhi recalled.
The ambience of Gopichand Academy has also left a big impact on Surabhi. "He (Gopichand) pours his heart out at the training. His assistants and his mother too are equally active and caring," she said.
Surabhi landed in Canada in 2002 and within three years
she was the top performer in the age-level sections. She bagged under-14 double crowns at the Canadian Junior National Badminton Championships and won the Ontario Provincial Championships in 2006.
She was named Athlete of the Year by the Ontario Badminton Association twice, in 2006 and 2008. Phenomenal performances in junior national events saw Surabhi getting a ticket to the Junior Pan American Games held in Gautemala in 2008. And she didn't disappoint. Surabhi defeated her doubles partner Jessica Leung 22-20, 21-17 to clinch the singles title before sending Nicoline Chan and Allison Pastewka packing for the doubles title.
Following her electrifying performances, Surabhi was named in the Canadian U-19 squad for the World Junior Championships held in Malaysia in October 2009.
When asked to point the difference in the badminton circuits of the two countries, Surabhi said, "It is vastly different. Here at least players get support from their state associations. But in Canada we are on our own. Life is difficult for shuttlers there. But I am confident of overcoming that."
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