The Hindu : Sport / Badminton : Our confidence level is high: Gopi Chand

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Our confidence level is high: Gopi Chand

Principal Correspondent

EXPERT ADVICE: P. Gopi Chand (right) interacting with the men's team during practice prior to its departure for the Thomas Cup.

HYDERABAD: “We are confident but not complacent. Every win in the finals of the Thomas and Uber Cups to be held in Kuala Lumpur from May 9 to 16 should enhance our stature in Asian badminton,” says India's chief national coach P. Gopi Chand.

Speaking to The Hindu before leaving to face the challenge, Gopi said that nothing is impossible now for the Indian shuttlers. “The confidence level is high and the preparations too have been scientific. There has been a method and meaning in the approach to the task,” he explained.

In the Thomas Cup, India's group includes Indonesia and Australia. In Uber Cup, the women's team has to counter the challenge of Korea and South Africa.

“Reaching the semifinals is our first objective. I have lot of faith in my players and to their commitment and determination,” he says.

“This is a team event but the performances of key players could be decisive,” he pointed out.

Referring to the Thomas Cup, Gopi said that with the format being three singles and two doubles, it is imperative to put up a good show in the singles to ease the pressure on the doubles pairs.

Saina cautious

For her part, India's premier woman shuttler Saina Nehwal was guarded in her opinion and said that the team would not be found wanting in effort.

“It is a big tournament for any player. And the fact that the big guns of Asia will be there should make things doubly difficult. But at the same time we are not scared. We are ready for the challenge,” Saina explained. “We would prefer to take it match-by-match. We don't want to invite any pressure. What happened in the qualifiers where we created history of sorts, is past. We have to look ahead and our preparations were really good,” explained the Beijing Olympics quarterfinalist.

“Personally, I was disappointed with my semifinal performance in the Delhi ABC championship. But Uber Cup is a team event and I will be happy if I can contribute to the team's success,” she said.

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