The Hindu : Sport / Badminton : Gopi Chand gets green signal

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Apr 10, 2005

Sport

Sport - Badminton

Gopi Chand gets green signal

By Our Sports Reporter

HYDERABAD, APRIL 9. After two months of deliberations, the Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh has given Gopi Chand the green signal to use the Swarnandhra Pradesh Indoor Stadium (Gachibowli) for coaching his trainees, until his project of a badminton academy takes a shape.

Ms.Sumita Dawra, vice-chairperson and managing director of SAAP, was one of the select few who attended the `puja' at the venue to mark a formal commencement today. Initially, the SAAP was willing to spare the venue for the first three months. But later at the request of Gopi Chand, who pointed out that it will take at least 18 months to complete the structure at the site allotted by the former Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, SAAP agreed to commit itself to a longer period in the interest of the sport.

It might not be out of place to recall here that the Asian Badminton Confederation secretary-general Punch Gunalan made it clear that the proposed Academy would also be called as an ABC training centre. It would be offered financial support besides nominating some international coaches and a minimum of at least two players from the Middle Asia and South Asian countries.

There was also another proposal from Gopi Chand. He has appealed to SAAP to take care of the expenditure to be incurred towards the payment of coaches' salaries and accommodation since there is no concrete structure of his Academy as yet.

"With all my energies and funds focused on the construction part, I am definitely not in a position to take care of these aspects for the time being. So, I am eagerly awaiting a positive response from the Government on this proposal also," he told The Hindu.

For the time being, Gopi Chand has decided to pick the best local talent and restrict the training to the day boarders scheme only. About fees he said : "May be, within a week after talking to the top officials of SAAP and the Government we will come out with exact details," he says.

However, what has really pleased the five-time national champion is that the SAAP is giving complete support. Moreover the ABC's involvement is very likely to heighten the prestige of the Academy abroad. "There is no doubt that I will make every effort to see that the Academy will be one of the best in the world when completed in all aspects," assures Gopi Chand.

Well with his wife and 1996 Atlanta Olympian Lakshmi too contributing in her own way, the most famous badminton couple from the City are all set to embark on a different journey - to spot and groom talent.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Sport