Former All-England badminton champ is tipped to take over as senior national badminton coach; announcement likely on Wednesday.
MUMBAI: Former All-England badminton champion, P Gopichand, is tipped to take over as the senior national badminton coach and an official announcement to this effect will be made by the Badminton Association of India (BAI) in New Delhi on Wednesday.
Last week, the BAI sent a circular to its 35 affiliated units informing them that Gopichand was being considered for the post. The state associations have been asked to raise any objections that they may have to him being appointed coach and were also free to suggest a candidate of their choice.
The BAI secretary LC Gupta told DNA on Monday that Gopichand is ahead in the running to be named coach. “Gopichand is right on top. Actually, we are not considering anyone else at the moment. The only formality left is of naming the coach on Wednesday,” Gupta said. “Gopichand’s consent for taking over as national coach has been obtained.”
Gupta was quick to add that the recommendations from all the state units will be taken into consideration before the BAI makes a final decision. However, taking into account Gopichand’s stature and impeccable demeanour on and off the field, they expect little opposition to his appointment. If appointed, Gopichand will be taking over from U Vimal Kumar whose contract expired after the Melbourne Commonwealth Games in March. Kumar, though, accompanied the team to the Thomas Cup in Japan in April before declining to continue.
“It was definitely a challenge to work within a constrained budget,” Vimal Kumar, who took over as coach in December 2003, said on Monday. “The BAI depends on the Sports Authority of India and the Sports Ministry for the budget and has no means of generating money. Gopichand will have to be patient. But Indian badminton is looking up and the new coach will have to take it forward.”
Gopichand is actively involved in coaching at his academy based in Hyderabad. Saina Nehwal, who won the four-star Philippines Open on Sunday, is among Gopi Chand’s wards.
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