Lack of coaches not infrastructure biggest problem, claims PV Sindhu
PV Sindhu has asserted that the biggest challenge for Indian Badminton is not the lack of infrastructure but rather the number of coaches available for young players. Sindhu also added that even though she had tasted success in her young career, she expects to do a lot more before calling it a day.
PV Sindhu has become a household name in India having won three World Championship medals, three Superseries titles and by becoming the first Indian female badminton player to win a silver at the Olympics. The scary thing is that she is still only 22 and her journey from a young player at the Gopichand Academy to become the second-ranked player in the world is a well-documented one. Badminton has seen a boost in India, primarily due to Sindhu and Saina Nehwal's success over the last decade, which has seen courts come up in many places. However, according to Sindhu, it isn't the infrastructure but the lack of coaches which proves to be the biggest hindrance for the sport in the country.
"While there are many good courts in the country, we need to have good coaches for more players to come up. Not everyone can go to Gopichand academy and everyone cannot afford international tournaments. I have seen the courts in districts and those are really good. I think the coaches have to play a big role in the players' development," Sindhu said at the promotion event for Mission Sports, reported TOI.
"I was at the Gopichand academy since I was 10. I was lucky to get good coaches and infrastructure that I needed. To become a champion, it is not just a few months' practice, it takes years to make a champion."
While Sindhu has already created a legacy for herself at such a young age, she is adamant that her best is yet to come.
"I am very happy with the achievements but this is only the beginning. I have to do a lot more but I will take one at a time," she said.
After briefly flirting with a rivalry with Carolina Marin, Sindhu has formed a new rivalry with Nozomi Okuhara. The duo had split six games, prior to the World Championships match-up, right down the middle. At the World Championships, fans witnessed a modern-day classic as the two players played out the second longest women's game in the history of the competition. While the Japanese emerged victorious in Glasgow, the Indian exacted her revenge with a win at the Korea Open. However, Okuhara retook the lead, a week later, with a win in Tokyo.
"Okuhara has been doing really well since 2012. When I look back at the game in Glasgow (World Championship), I still feel that if I had won, it would have been something different. But it was not my day. It is not about one particular stroke. I gave everything, it was one point here and there. In Korea, it was one of my longest matches and it was my sweet revenge. Maybe when I meet her next time, I will get another chance," Sindhu concluded.