‘My Father Has Been My Biggest Support’: Unnati Credits Upkar for Badminton Rise

NEW DELHI: Rising Indian badminton star Unnati Hooda has credited her father and mentor, Upkar Hooda, for her rapid rise in the sport. A former university-level player, Upkar quit his government college job to travel with his daughter for tournaments and train her full-time. Unnati later shifted to Chhotu Ram Stadium Badminton Academy in Rohtak to hone her skills under coach Parvesh Kumar. However, her father remains her biggest inspiration and is currently guiding her from the coach’s corner at her debut BWF World Championships.