P. Gopi Chand, India’s chief national coach, has been harping on the need for a coaching structure to continue the impressive results at the international level. His search might just have ended with former national champion B. Chetan Anand donning the role of coach to near perfection with the Indian team for the just-concluded Asian (under-21) championship in Maldives.
India won three gold and four silver medals including gold in men’s singles (Sarath Dunna), women’s singles (Deepshikha Singh), mixed doubles (Mansi Singh and K. Sai Charan).
“It has been a very good experience to be with this Indian team. It reminds me of the kind of talent we have across India,” said the 39-year-old Chetan in a chat with The Hindu .
Conscious
“I have been into coaching for the last three years. I have set up my own academies in Hyderabad with the second at Bachupally being one of the biggest in India with 10 courts and all facilities a player needs. I am conscious of my role and what the players expect from me,” said the former World No. 10.
“This Indian team comprised mostly singles specialists and I had to find makeshift combinations. I had to give special attention to the art of playing doubles. I am glad with the way they have responded,” Chetan said.
The touch artist of yesteryear also said that the best part of this Indian team is that the players are very young — Deepshika of Delhi (17 years), Mansi Singh of Lucknow (16 years) — and have a very bright future.
Clear hint
“The result in this championship should give a clear hint of how to plan big and importantly groom them with the kind of support and planning which we have seen with some of the big names of Indian badminton dominating the scene now,” he said.
“I think I can contribute in my own way in the evolution of juniors into champion performers. Basically, I am enjoying my job,” said the soft-spoken Chetan.
“Let me make it clear, I am ready for any assignment that will be given to me. Having been with the junior India ABC preparatory camp in Chandigarh a couple of months ago, I know most of this young talented group,” he concluded.
