Badminton referee Yogen Bhatnagar makes a real racquet

Yogen Bhatnagar has travelled around the world to officiate some of the sport’s biggest tournaments.

Badminton referee Yogen Bhatnagar. Picture: Peter Kelly

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Yogen Bhatnagar’s passion for badminton has seen him travel around the world to officiate some of the sport’s biggest tournaments.

This weekend he will umpire the India Super Series, the second tournament in the 2017 Badminton World Federation Super Series program.

The week-long tournament begins in New Delhi on March 26, although Bhatnagar’s work began much earlier.

“As a referee you need to start preparing for the tournaments almost two to three months before the tournament starts,” he said.

The Cherrybrook road safety expert has been officiating badminton for almost 30 years.

After years of working his way up the officiating ladder, Bhatnagar became an international referee — the highest level — in 2014.

Currently the only international referee in Australia, he will be one of three referees at the $750,000 Australian Open Super Series to be held at Sydney Olympic Park in June.

He will also referee the World Junior Championships in Indonesia in October.

Bhatnagar grew up playing badminton before moving into officiating and has dedicated countless hours to the sport.

“It’s the passion I have for badminton, it is the sport I played since childhood,” he said.

Bhatnagar has been nominated for the Local Sports Stars’ Service to Sport award.

Nominations are now open for the Local Sports Star program, which also includes the categories of Junior Sports Star Individual or Team, and Young Sporting Spirit Individual orTeam.

To nominate, visit localsportsstar.com.au