The Hindu : Sport / Badminton : Vimal Kumar quits

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Apr 25, 2006

Sport

Sport - Badminton

Vimal Kumar quits

Special Correspondent

BANGALORE: The National chief coach of the Indian badminton squad U. Vimal Kumar has called it quits. The coach sent in his papers to BAI, stating that his term had ended and he wished to leave the post and concentrate on coaching youngsters at the Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy, where he is the director.

BAI has, however, asked Vimal Kumar to stay on, till the completion of the Thomas Cup finals in Tokyo (April 28 to May 7), where India is scheduled to play. Vimal Kumar was not too keen on continuing in his post after the Uber Cup and Thomas Cup preliminaries held in Jaipur recently, following differences with the BAI on quite a few key issues.

"I don't want to look back and after I am through with the Thomas Cup assignment, I wish to concentrate on my work at the academy," said Vimal to The Hindu.

The coach, however, looked back at his work with satisfaction. "The bronze at the Commonwealth Games in the team event and making the Thomas Cup final have been satisfying. But I give 80 per cent of the credit to the players for their efforts. The game is looking up in the country," said Vimal Kumar.

Vimal Kumar, who will accompany the Indian team for the Thomas Cup, said the squad was in good shape and has finished a fortnight of rigorous training here and looks forward to a good show. He, however, admitted that with Sanave Thomas, pulling out of the team due to his wedding, the doubles prospects of the team had been considerably weakened. "But we have been trying Rupesh Kumar with V. Diju and of course, we have experienced doubles players Markose Bristow and Jaseel P. Ismail in the team," said the coach.

The Indian team leaves on Tuesday.

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