MUMBAI: As India's ace shuttlers PV Sindhu and Lakshya Sen charged towards winning their gold medals in the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham on Monday, among those cheering them was a 92-year-old in Perth who had scorched the badminton courts 72 years ago in a national tournament in India.
In 1950, Betty Rego, whose maiden name was Betty Farias, won a 'triple crown' at the Badminton Nationals in Nagpur - the singles, doubles, and mixed doubles golds. Recalling as if it was yesterday, Betty tells TOI from Perth, "Yes, I won three titles in the National Championship, which was held in Nagpur in December 1950. I played the doubles with Sindhu Phansalkar and mixed doubles with Henry Ferreira."
Hence, Sindhu is special to Rego. "Yes, the name brings back fond memories," she says with a smile.
"My mother's feat is one of the longest-standing individual records in Indian sport for the last 72 years. No one to memory has emulated this since. We, her children are all proud of her achievement". The first time women represented India overseas was in 1951. Unfortunately, even though Betty was the national champion in 1950, she never got to play for her country.
"My mother got married in 1951 and exchanged her triple crown for the title of motherhood" says her son Lloyd.
Cut to present, and Betty Rego is full of praise for Sindhu and Sen. "Badminton today has reached great heights. Sindhu's level of play regarding her strokes, her ability to reach every shot, retrieve every smash, her beautiful drop shots at the net, her movements, physical fitness...all seem to be at a level that far exceeds that of my time. It is a delight to watch her achievement," she gushes.
"The same sentiments apply to Sen. His even temperament served him well, though I did get anxious for a moment. His skill, speed and power are incredible. I wish them well and may the future of badminton in India keep growing from strength to strength," she compliments.
"It was great to watch Sindhu and Sen win their gold medals with my mother, who was super-excited throughout both the finals. The twinkle in her eye and expert comments by her during key moments of the match are our treasured memories", says Lloyd.
While there were few women playing sports in India at that time, Betty was lucky to receive the backing of her father. "I was very fortunate to have had my dad, also a keen sports enthusiast who encouraged me from my early teens. I was lucky to have joined St. Xavier College, where my potential was further developed. We played in open tournaments and therefore progressed," she reminisces.
14 years ago, Betty shifted to Perth in Australia. "I moved with my late husband (Linus Rego) to Australia in 2008," she says.
She hasn't been completely forgotten by India's badminton authorities. "For her 90th birthday, on the 19th of January 2020 my elder brother Len, through the BAI General Secretary Ajay Kumar Singhania, arranged for a certificate of recognition and appreciation that was presented to her as a pleasant surprise. On that occasion she was similarly honoured by the Bandra Gymkhana where she practised daily," says Lloyd.
