How DK Sen, A Visionary Coach and Devoted Father, Empowered Almora’s Shuttlers to Conquer Heights
DK Sen holds a distinguished reputation in the badminton community, both as the father of star player Lakshya Sen and as a pivotal figure in the development of the sport in Uttarakhand. His journey began in the early 1990s when he pioneered the establishment of Almora’s first proper badminton court, laying the foundations for regional talent. This initiative preceded the formation of Uttarakhand as a separate state from Uttar Pradesh. His sons, Lakshya and Chirag, took their first steps in badminton on this very court before moving on to train at the renowned Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy in Bengaluru. In 2016, Sen and his wife moved to Bengaluru to support their sons’ sporting careers. However, the National Games marked a significant return to his roots as Sen reunited with old acquaintances and immersed himself in Uttarakhand’s badminton scene once again.
At the games, Sen assumed the role of mentor, guiding the state’s players with notable performances, including 16-year-old Suryaksh Rawat, who reached the men’s singles final. Although Rawat was defeated by Sathish Karunakaran, his potential caught the attention of badminton legend PV Sindhu. Sen emphasized the need for Rawat to enhance his footwork and transition smoothly from defense to attack, expressing hope for the young talent.
Sen’s influence spans generations, inspired by his father, Chandra Lal Sen, an ardent supporter of badminton who first introduced the sport to Almora. Through resilience and dedication, DK Sen advanced his father’s legacy, transforming a storage hall into Almora’s first wooden badminton court in 1993. Despite relocating, Sen and his family maintain strong ties to their origins in Someshwar. Although Lakshya could not participate in the National Games due to an injury, the Uttarakhand teams claimed silver medals, with Chirag representing the family on the podium—a testament to Sen’s enduring impact and the promising future he envisions for Uttarakhand badminton.
Original Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/badminton/how-dk-sen-lakshya-father-taught-shuttlers-from-almora-move-mountains-9817693/
Category : Badminton,Sports
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Publish Date: 2025-02-04 23:09:00
