By IANS,
New Delhi : Nathan Robertson will be the flag-bearer of England at the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth games here Sunday. The 33-year-old badminton star has been around for over a decade and it is an honour for his sheer longevity in sport.
“It is a huge honour for me. To lead an England contingent is high up there among my achievements,” he said.
Robertson, who won the mixed doubles gold in the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games, is upbeat about retaining the medal and, that too, with a new partner.
The Athens Olympic silver medallist, Robertson will be partnering Jenny Wallwork as his Melbourne partner Gail Emms has retired.
“It took some time for me to develop understanding with Jenny. But, the fact that we have a similar style of play, we could adapt to each other’s game, said the 33-year-old, who also won a silver in the team event at Melbourne.
“It was not diffcult for me to swap. Now we have started getting the results. Hopefully we can be at the top of the world and I will be able to defend my title here,” he told IANS.
On the Indian pair Jwala Gutta and V. Diju, the Cotgrave shuttler said: “They are a very good pair and have had some good results. I played them before, but I have not played them with Jenny.
“If we can play to our potential, it can be our day against them,” said Robertson who has 102 international caps.
Robertson, who will also feature in the men’s doubles with Clark Anthony as second seeds, said: “Apart from me and Anthony we are quite an inexperienced team at this level, so any medal will be welcome.
“We have an inexpereinecd squad. But they need this kind of exposure. They have to stand up and show this week what they can do. It will also help them to prepare for London Olympics.”
He said Malaysian top seeds Koo Kien Keat and Tan Boon Heong will be favourites in the men’s doubles.