GOPI TO MENTOR COACHES AFTER TOKYO OLYMPICS

He has produced many a badminton player of international repute but post Tokyo Olympics, national badminton coach Pullela Gopichand plans to turn a mentor to coaches.

To start with, he has tied up with The Sports School Anup Sridhar Badminton Academy in Bengaluru. Plans are afoot to start The Sports School in Hyderabad early next year.

“I have been following the work of The Sports School quite closely. Their vision is very much aligned with mine. I have known Anup Sridhar for the last two decades, both as player and coach. I am delighted to work closely with Anup at The Sports School in our goal to making India a dominating force in world badminton,” Gopi stated.

“Post the Olympics, I would want to move away and dedicate my time on a mentor role and would be working towards developing the coaches through the coaches programme,” the former All England Open champion added.

Built with the vision to inspire the next generation of world-class student-athletes, The Sports School aims to create a culture and environment where sports and education come together. The group has plans to tie up with 200 institutions across India to lend the expertise and bring together education and sporting excellence.

“In Anup, we have someone who has played the game at the highest level and a proven new-age coach. Pullela Gopichand was a champion player himself and the best badminton coach we have ever had. I am very excited for our student-athletes as they now have these two legends guiding them,” said Dr Chenraj, Chairman, The Sports School.

The Sports School’s mission has been bolstered after a collaboration with the Jain Group of Institutions, whose vision is to empower talent through its blend of academic rigour and sports.