New Delhi: Head of Pullela Gopichand National coach, who guided India to two Olympic medals, has chosen out of the Badminton Tust bound by the Indian Olympics to create space for Agus Dwi Santosa, who trained Single Shuttler b.
Gopichand, under his guide Saina Nehwal and P V Sindhu claimed bronze and each silver medal in London and Rio games, choosing out after the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) was only cleaning staff support five members, which included three trainers and two physios.
In run-up to the Olympics, Sindhu has been practicing under Korean coach Taman Tae Sang at Gachibowli Indoor Stadium while Santoso has worked with Praneph.
Denmark’s Mathias Boe was appointed by guiding Chirag and Satwik in his first match.
The four shuttlers will represent the challenges of India in the match.
“With only one quota available, Gopichand decided to choose out to ensure Santosa can be accommodated who have been training with Sai (Praneeth) since Pandemi,” The Badminton of India Association (BAI) Secretary General Ajay Singhania told PTI.
It is clear that players prefer to have their own coaches during the match.
With Gopichand decided not to leave, the Indian badminton contingent will consist of nine members, including three foreign trainers – Santoso, Tae Sang and Boe – and two FISIOS SumanSH Sivalanka and Evangline Baddam (women) and four players.
Last month, Bai had written to IOA, proposed staff support seven members to accompany the players.
However, with a strict Covid-19 protocol and quota allocated from 33% of support staff, only 5 members of the dinner staff can be cleaned.
According to the norm, the number of officials traveling to the Olympics should not be more than a third of athletes.
However, the Ministry of Sports can allow additional officials at no cost to the government.