Asian Games 2018 | We hope that we come back with medals, says Pullela Gopichand
Despite agreeing to the fact that this year has been quite tough for Indian shuttlers, Chief Coach Pullela Gopichand is hopeful that the squad will bring in medals from the quadrennial event. Following the CWG, the Indian shuttlers have not won a single tournament in the top 3 BWF brackets.
Gopichand mentioned that they are not leaving even one aspect and the players, the coaches, and the support staff
“We hope that we come back with medals and we have moments to celebrate. We go in with a chance in every event and very rarely this happened with the Indian team. We hope that we do well at the Games although this been a tough year for us,” Gopichand told reporters at the official send-off ceremony.
“We are in good shape. Hopefully, we will have some good performances at the Asian Games. We had won a bronze in the women’s team event at Incheon."
Leading the men's team in the event will be Kidambi Srikanth and HS Prannoy while it will be PV Sindhu and Saina Nehwal who will lead the charge for the women's team. Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy will form a pair for men's doubles event, while Sikki Reddy and Ashwini Ponnappa will be participating in women's doubles.
“We had got some very good results at the World Championships as well. Overall, the entire team is looking good from doubles to singles and hopefully we will have a good shot at all of these medals. I would like to wish the entire team all the best,” Gopichand said.
“We have the right firepower and the shuttlers are ready to shoulder the nation’s hopes. The players have worked hard and their preparations
Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal and PV Sindhu have also commented on their expectations from the Asian Games and the preparations they made for the event.
“All of us have prepared really hard. Last time (previous Asian Games), it was special for Indian women’s team as we won bronze and I hope this time we can try our level best to even better it. I wish the full team all the best. This time also we will do well like we did in the Commonwealth Games,” Saina said.
“We all are prepared well and are in full form and I think we will definitely give up our best. The traditional powerhouses like China, Japan and Korea are expected to pose challenges but we are prepared as a team and confident of a good show. Personally, I am in good form and will carry forward the confidence at the Games,” added Sindhu.
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