Tanisha Crasto: A Journey from Dubai to the Paris Olympics

Six years ago, Clifford Crasto took a brave decision to enroll his daughter Tanisha at the Pullela Gopichand Academy in Hyderabad to nurture her badminton dreams. Overcoming cultural shifts from Dubai, Tanisha is now set to represent India in the Paris Olympics. Parents have made significant sacrifices to foster their children's sports aspirations.

Six years ago, Clifford Crasto made the bold move to enroll his daughter Tanisha at the Pullela Gopichand Academy in Hyderabad to nurture her burgeoning badminton talent. Despite being born in Dubai, Tanisha adapted to her new environment and is now on the verge of representing India at the Paris Olympics alongside her senior women's doubles partner, Ashwini Ponnappa.

Supporting an Olympian is an emotional and challenging journey for parents, often requiring significant sacrifices. Clifford, originally from Goa and working in Dubai, chose to leave his job to accompany Tanisha to around 25-30 tournaments a year. This decision has been a turning point for Tanisha, who has emerged as a top player, winning multiple titles and accolades.

As Tanisha prepares for the Paris Games, other Indian players like Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty are also looking to bring home gold in men's doubles. Their parents, too, have made numerous sacrifices to support their children's sporting ambitions. With hard work and dedication, these athletes aim to make India proud on the international stage.

(With inputs from agencies.)