A one-page, hand-written note by P. Gopi Chand, the chief national badminton coach, long before he won the 2001 All England championship is the driving force behind his passion to keep producing champion shuttlers.
Gopi’s mother, Subbaravamma, who is the livewire in the functioning of the two Gopi Chand Academies at Gachibowli, recalls the note in which her son states: “I am an Indian. I cannot dream of better facilities like the other big stars in world circuit.
“But, I have to train with whatever is available and still try to win at the highest level.” That he won the All England later is now history!
Not found wanting
She says that this is exactly the reason Gopi ensures that none of his trainees are found wanting in terms of support on any front.
Gopi’s mother feels that this is also the significant factor which helps him strike the near-perfect balance in training the two superstars of Indian badminton — London Olympics bronze medallist Saina Nehwal and the new World champion P.V. Sindhu. For Subbaravamma, it has been a different kind of challenge.
She — along with Gopi’s wife, Lakshmi, and other family members — has to ensure that the chief coach is always fresh for the daily grind at the academy.
Even when the champion shuttlers preferred to have separate training schedules, Gopi never went against either. His priorities were different — to see both of them in the race for an Olympic or a World championship medal.
Major difference
The one major difference now for Gopi is the induction of Korean Kim Ji Hyun, a former Asian Games gold medallist.
She now takes more care of the women’s singles players with Gopi chipping in only with critical inputs.
For someone whom it was a distant dream even to hold a foreign racket during his hey days, Gopi’s shopping list now when on tour means buying badminton rackets and other gear which he gives it to the needy on his return.
“The joy on his face in giving them to the young talent is perhaps what keeps all of us going,” concludes Subbaravamma.
