Chequeda Deboulet has come to a disappointing end in her qualifying attempt for the Olympic Games in Paris, France, later this year.
The country’s top female badminton ace was a casualty of a lack of funding and a proper qualifying system to ensure that valid points towards the Olympics are achieved at international events.
At 23 years old, Deboulet, a multiple-time winner of both the junior and senior national badminton divisions, Monday admitted that her time to qualify has expired, noting that the end of this month (April) will mark the end of the Olympic qualifying period.
And even if she makes a last-ditch effort to compete in an international event now, the registration process will be closed. Deboulet is stuck at 180th in the world in women’s singles, needing to be among the top 100 players or thereabouts for a place in the Olympics.
Deboulet last participated at the Giraldia International Badminton Tournament in Cuba last month but was knocked out in the second round in both the singles and doubles. Asked about her feelings on her failed qualifying attempt, Deboulet said, “I feel a bit disappointed but at least I knew that I was working with limited resources. Between me and my family, we tried everything we could have, and thankfully for my family, I was able to reach where I am right now.”
“Most players attend between 15 to 20 tournaments to acquire sufficient points, but for me, I have had to try to do it in about eight to nine tournaments, all because of lack of funding. The government has provided help through the Grant Funding process which has been helpful and much appreciated,” Deboulet said.
Despite her tender age, Deboulet travelled around the world on her own in search of qualifying points. At these tournaments, she has had to coach herself while playing, as she never had a coach at her side.
Anil Seepaul, a former national men’s standout, provided company at a couple of events but for the most part, it has been Deboulet and Deboulet alone.
At present, players cannot earn qualifying points for the Olympics but can improve their rank, which will earn them qualification for major events such as the World Championships next year. “There is a tournament in Mexico at the beginning of May as well as another tournament in Venezuela in June, both of which will assure players points to improve their rank,” Deboulet said.
She told Guardian Media Sports that her next move will be to qualify for the World Championships.