Gopichand happy with support from Centre but wants further improvements

NATIONAL CHIEF COACH OF BADMINTON Pullela Gopichand said that he is happy with the support badminton has been receiving but more can be done in terms of grooming talent at grass-roots level and developing physical literacy.

"Sports Authority of India (SAI) and Government of India have been hugely supportive and especially the top players have benefited tremendously from the kind of exposure and the money which the government has spent," he told the reporters in Hyderabad.

"We need to acknowledge the fact that they have done a fantastic job. The (Badminton) Association has been very supportive," he said.

"At the end of the day, there are things, which need to be improved. There's lot more funding, which is needed. Things like grooming at grass-roots level and physical literacy also need focus."

Talking about on what it takes to produce a star like Sindhu, he said,

"There is a need to put in hard work for several years and with one who guides properly...Correct manner."

"I am grateful to the entire group of team and staff (at Gopichand Academy), who tirelessly kept pushing. And these are the victories which give us the energy to push. By no means it is a one man's effort...My parents, my wife and my kids, who are not seen too often. The result we get...People like Sindhu, who are ready to push and parents who are ready to help them."

Expressing his joy on the way Srikanth performed at the Olympics, Gopichand said,

"Srikanth gave his heart out and played fantastic in two matches against tough opponents. He lost a close one to Lin Dan, which I thought he could have been won."