Patil, who had not played any international competition since the BWF World Championships in Thailand in February, lost to compatriot Manisha Ramadoss in the semi-finals of the women's SU5 category at the Bahrain para-badminton tournament on Saturday.
Reaching the semi-finals helped Patil jump six places to 14th in the world rankings, but she knows she needs to move further.
“I need to be in the top-12 to play level BWF tournaments and that is my next target. But more importantly, my focus is on giving my best at the Asian Championships and next year's World Championships and working towards that goal,” said Patil, who will compete in the Uganda para-badminton tournament in July .
The young player, who hails from a village in Karnataka's Belagavi district but currently trains in Pune, credited the support of the Punit Balan group for reducing the financial pressure on her.
“The cost of competing in these international tournaments is increasing and it is only because of the financial support of the Punit Balan Group that I could afford to play in the World Championship and this tournament. I am looking forward to playing in Uganda and changing the color of my medal.
The Punit Balan Group has committed to support Aarti for three years and will provide her full support in her quest to win medals on the international stage.
Reaching the semi-finals helped Patil jump six places to 14th in the world rankings, but she knows she needs to move further.
“I need to be in the top-12 to play level BWF tournaments and that is my next target. But more importantly, my focus is on giving my best at the Asian Championships and next year's World Championships and working towards that goal,” said Patil, who will compete in the Uganda para-badminton tournament in July .
The young player, who hails from a village in Karnataka's Belagavi district but currently trains in Pune, credited the support of the Punit Balan group for reducing the financial pressure on her.
“The cost of competing in these international tournaments is increasing and it is only because of the financial support of the Punit Balan Group that I could afford to play in the World Championship and this tournament. I am looking forward to playing in Uganda and changing the color of my medal.
The Punit Balan Group has committed to support Aarti for three years and will provide her full support in her quest to win medals on the international stage.