The Hindu : Sport / Badminton : Gopi Chand's academy reaps a rich harvest

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jun 21, 2005

Sport

Sport - Badminton

Gopi Chand's academy reaps a rich harvest

V. V. Subrahmanyam

HYDERABAD: The success story of the trainees belonging to the badminton academy established by the 2001 All-England champion Pullela Gopi Chand is a good example of what scientific training can achieve.

Gopi Chand's trainees won 10 titles in the all-India junior ranking badminton tournament in Kochi last week. Saina Nehwal, 15, bagged a `triple' crown a few days after achieving a similar feat in the Krishna Khaitan tournament in Chennai.

What makes Gopi Chand's trainees different is the presence of English coach Thomas John. He had contributed to Gopi's success at All-England championship and he knows what the trainees in various age groups require. "Frankly, we never expected such results so early from our trainees," said Gopi Chand.

The trainees are getting very competitive. The desire to excel has been developed to a great extent by simulated match conditions during practice sessions. This is one of the key factors responsible for the success of these enthusiastic boys and girls. Moreover, any flaw noticed is promptly rectified.

Gopi himself monitors the sessions. Realising that raw talent available here can be fine-tuned only by long duration camps he has made it mandatory for the trainees to stay back after the morning session. They are provided lunch so that they don't get tired travelling long distances back and forth.

The Fateh Maidan indoor stadium wears a deserted look now as all the youngsters have moved to Gopi's centre. His dream of producing a few more National champions might turn real soon. Now it is for his wards to sustain the level of excellence.

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