Lucknow: Parupalli Kashyap finds the badminton scene in India “quite disappointing.” The previous world No.6, a full-time coach at Gopichand Badminton Academy, known as for better professionalism.
Participant-turned-coach Parupalli Kashyap desires pay parity between international and Indian coaches. (Getty Photographs)
“It’s quite disappointing, if you talk about the present badminton scene in India. There are so many superstars but the sport hasn’t grown,” stated Kashyap, gold medallist on the 2014 Commonwealth Video games, on the sidelines of Syed Modi India Worldwide right here on Friday.
“When I played against Tommy Sugiarto or Viktor Axelsen in Lucknow, the stadium was full… Premier Badminton League has not been happening for so many years. Somewhere, we have faltered.”
Kashyap, 38, stated issues have improved for the reason that 2010 Commonwealth Video games. Extra academies have been based and there may be extra money within the sport. However the sport shouldn’t be being professionally managed, he stated.
Kashyap, runner-up within the 2017 US Open Badminton Championship, stated that he was having fun with his stint as a coach. “Some part of a coach was always in me. I would help players like (Kidambi) Srikanth, Guru (Gurusai Dutt), Sameer (Verma) or (HS) Prannoy. They would discuss how to play rallies, how to improve. With Saina (Nehwal) as well, I am in my comfort zone as a coach.”
Whereas speaking in regards to the subsequent era of Indian gamers, Kashyap stated the required construction shouldn’t be in place. “I would say that few individuals in the country are doing a lot of groundwork. Unfortunately, they are not involved or don’t have absolute liberty to structure the system properly.”
“Lakshya (Sen) is good, Priyanshu (Rawat) is talented, Rithvik Sanjeevi is good as well… (but) we don’t have any control on how the system works. If we have to produce champions, decisions like hiring qualified professionals have to be taken.”
On disparity between international and Indian coaches by way of funds, Kashyap stated it was disappointing that Indians have been paid much less. “I am very passionate about coaching but I don’t know how long it will last if I don’t see any reward in this. Because it is quite disappointing, embarrassing and dejecting too when you hire foreigners for ₹10-15 lakh, but pay Indian coaches ₹ 50,000 or ₹1 lakh.
“I was in the top-10 for four years and Guru was in the top 20 but still we are looking at people from outside. You have plenty of people like Sumeeth Reddy, Manu Attri…Sai Praneeth is working somewhere in the US. I feel that coaching should be made lucrative and rewarding for former Indian shuttlers.”