For someone who combined elegance with high quality performances to be once ranked World No. 24, Chetan Anand could well turn out to be the best hope for the young shuttlers joining his newly-launched Ganges Chetan Anand Badminton Academy at Ganges Valley School on the premises of Gokaraju Gangaraju Institute of Engineering & Technology near Nizampet here.
The beautifully designed, spacious indoor hall with four international standard wooden flooring stand testimony to his classy approach to the challenges he faced as a player and also now as a coach.
And, when Chetan walked on to the court to play a friendly with Qutbullahpur MLA Venkatesham Goud watched by his mentor and Dronacharya S.M. Arif, it was a different experience indeed.
“It was a unique feeling when I stepped on to the court.
I knew the challenge ahead and having trained under Arif sir, I know what are the demands and expectations,” he remarked, after the formal inauguration on Saturday.
“With injuries putting a stop to my playing career, I thought the best way to stay connected with the sport which made me what I am today is to take up coaching. I can’t think of life without badminton,” the 34-year-old pointed out, even as his life-partner Sharada Goverdhani, with the kid in arms, sported a broad smile.
Full time coach
“I will be the full-time coach here and Sharada will double up as a coach before we appoint a couple more besides a fitness trainer. I am determined to produce quality players,” says Chetan, insisting that this is not a commercial venture for sure.
