Exclusive conversation with Gopichand (Photo-PTI)
Before the debut of the News 9 Corporate Badminton Championship 2025, Sports Editor Meha Bhardwaj Alter held talks by the great badminton coach Gopichand. Gopichand told how his academy started and how he gave the country champions like Saina Nehwal, PV Sindhu. Gopichand described a formula to convert a talented player into a big player, which is very important to know. At the same time, Gopichand revealed how many sacrifices he had to make to build his academy in Hyderabad. Read further, a special conversation with Pullela Gopichand of TV 9 network.
Question: Initially, you have to know that when you started this academy and what are the changes that we are seeing in this form today?
Gopichand’s answer: See, this has been a journey for me. Initially, I did not even know whether I would be able to make the game a career or not. But as time passed and I started playing, then realized how many challenges we have to face for basic things, no matter the courts, the availability of shuttle, gym, recovery, food, living… are all basic things. I am not even talking about sports nutrition, physiology, psychology, biomechanics. When I won All England and started going abroad, then it came to understand how much we lack basic things like coaching, training. Then this idea came around 2003 and this academy was built in 2007. And yes, I feel very fortunate that I got good people who supported me.
Question: When this academy started, I have heard that your wife herself used to cook for children who lived here. Your mother still takes care of everything, food, plants, everything. I want to ask you how this experience has been for these children? What do they expect from this badminton academy today and are they satisfied with facilities?
Gopichand’s answer: I think this is the biggest success of this academy. I am happy to say with full confidence that since 2007, it has never happened that we had to stop a session due to the court or any other deficiency. This is very important because the game does not have your holidays or weekends. You need infrastructure all the time – and we have made it available here. If someone has a desire to play, there is a desire to get something, then we all have that. With the help of coaches, physio, trainer, we have been able to do this. Now the player is on how hard he works and how much he push himself.
Question: Let us now talk about the champions that have come out of this academy. Saina Nehwal, PV Sindhu, Srikanth, Satvik… This list is quite long.
Gopichand’s answer: Yes, I have been very lucky. We have prepared an ecosystem where one was successful after another. When I won All England, I was confident that if I can win, then anyone can win. And started this journey with the same belief. I am happy that people supported me and these children illuminated the name of the country.
Question: But the next question is that you guide some players because you see something special in them. It cannot be just skill. What do you see in a child that you say, ‘Yes, it is the thing that can take it forward’?
Gopichand’s answer: It is easy to see talent, but it is very common. The real thing is that at 4:15 in the morning, the child who smilingly says that ‘I am ready’, he is the real player. The next day after the defeat, the next day comes back, comes back even after the injury and says ‘I am ready to play again’, that is the real passion. Every day coming with the same energy, does not break despite defeat. These qualities are very important with talent. When all these are, the result is also decided.
Question: Now I have to ask this. How strict are you as a coach? You seem quite calm in nature, but when the players are in their room, do they have to follow a strict routine?
Gopichand’s answer: Over time I have changed myself. Earlier I used to coach, trainer, everything. I used to awaken the children myself, check that there is no biscuit or chocolate in the room. But now we have coaches, trainers, physio, mental trainers. Now I do not do all that, but yes, my work is complete, so I can say so much. And a good coach is the one who gets his work done in a full way, even if it looks hard or soft.