Gopi sees bright future for Indian badminton’s Gen Next
Times of India | 5 March 2024
Kolkata: Badminton in the country has witnessed a turnaround in the last decade under the stewardship of Pullela Gopichand, the national teams’ chief coach. In his own words, it is a golden era for the game in the country.
There is more to come, predicts Gopichand. He has immense faith in the likes of HS Prannoy, Lakshya Sen and the Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty combination. They, he believes, can give India medals in events like the forthcoming Paris Olympics.
“There are currently many great players in this sport,” he gushes. “There are more in the pipeline. In the coming years, they will produce great results at the international level.”
In the city for a coaching stint at the Star Badminton Academy, Gopichand is also quite optimistic about Bengal’s future in the game. With the right resources and coaching methods in place, he envisions Bengal as a powerhouse in the making.
Amidst his duties as the national coach, Gopichand remains deeply committed to fostering the next generation of badminton stars, “There are quite a few youngsters who are very talented and can be future prospects for country,” he told TOI.
The coach believes that the essence of sport is enjoyment and passion. He emphasizes on the importance of instilling a passion for the game in young athletes, encouraging them to see training as a rewarding pursuit of excellence rather than a sacrifice. Beyond just shuttlecock hitting, he advocates a comprehensive approach to training, that includes the physical, mental, and emotional aspects of the game.
“We must ensure that, if they have the talent, they are put on the right track so that they can be the best in the world. If they like the sport, then they have to be passionate about it. Training must be multilateral, not just about hitting the shuttle.”
When asked about his approach towards developing mental resilience, he said, “Mental strength cannot be developed overnight, it must be incorporated into every aspect of life. Things that you fear the most must be challenged. Making things difficult and overcoming them... these things should be part of training. Running away is not an option.”