****Image Credit: The News International
Thanks to Badminton Asia, Pakistan's national woman's singles champion Mahoor Shahzad became the first female badminton player to break into the top 200 in the world rankings.
Under Badminton Asia's popular Asia Olympic Project (AOP), Mahoor rose to 192 in November last before slipping to 204 – due to lack of international tournaments.
The AOP is a development initiative taken by Badminton Asia which allows players from developing countries training opportunities and competition scholarships .
However, stringent selection procedures are taken before a player is selected for the AOP.
It includes world rankings, results in BWF sanctioned tournament, player potential and consistency in participation of BWF sanctioned tournaments.
Under AOP, Mahoor got to play in four tournaments last year and will get the same number this year.
The 22-year-old Mahoor played in the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi and the 2014 Asian Games in Busan.
Her dream now is to play in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
"My dream is to play in the Olympics.
For that I need top coaching and training facilities apart from competing in different tournaments for the necessary international exposure and ranking points," Mahoor was quoted by Times off India.
Mahoor feels India is the perfect place to take her game to a higher level.
According to Mahoor, India has progressed tremendously in badminton and is force to be reckoned with in the game.
"India have regular international tournaments and their coaches are also in the upper category.
Our sports authorities, including our Badminton Federation should do something to ensure we can go to India to get coaching and participate in international events there.
"There is nothing wrong in learning the good things from Indian badminton and its set-up."
Mahoor comes from a sporting family.
Father Muhammad Shahzad is a former badminton player and rower.
He recently won the veterans title while a sister is into weightlifting.
