By IANS,
New Delhi: Former All England Champion and national badminton coach Pullela Gopichand believes that India should win atleast one title in the Badminton Asia Championships beginning here Monday.
It is the first time that Indian players have got the top billing in two of the five categories in the competition. While World No.6 Saina Nehwal is the top seed in women’s singles, Jwala Gutta and V. Diju are the top seeds in the mixed doubles.
“I do believe that India will bag one of the titles,” Gopichand told IANS said Saturday.
Gopichand said the recent good performances of the Indian players at the international tournaments will hold them in good stead.
“The have performed very well at the Thomas Cup and Uber Cup and for the first time we have both men’s and women’s team in the finals. So, everybody is looking upto this tournament,” he said.
Gopichand, who is also the coach of Saina, said she will have to be at her best.
“She is the top seed but there are some very good players in the tournament. She will have to produce her best. She has prepared well and is in good form.”
“At this moment rankings is not a concern for her. She has to pick the right tournaments and concentrate on doing well in every event.”
Gopichand said it is a positive sign for the Indian badminton that so many good players are coming up.
“Our policy of having long training camps has paid off. It has made the players tough and now they are not participating in tournaments just to have a trip abroad. They are focussed and want to win. Also, the government has provided good support to badminton.”
Gopichand, however, admitted that injuries to players is a matter of concern.
In the men’s singles, Anup Sridhar and Arvind Bhat will be carrying India’s hopes in the absence of Chetan Anand, who withdrew from the tournament because of injury.
Sridhar and Bhat have always been considered talented but both have found the going tough in major tournaments.
“They played well in the Thomas Cup and I feel it is a matter of one good match before they find their touch,” Gopichand said.
Gopichand said at a time when Indian players are doing so well in badminton, the media should put their performances in perspective.
“Badminton has always got performances whether it is Dinesh Khanna or Prakash Padukone. We have been traditionaly strong in the singles, but today even in the doubles and mixed doubles we are performing well. It is the only physical sport in India which has done so well.
“It is important that media put these performances on record. It is only when Saina reached the semi-final of All England Open that media woke up. But if tennis players make the first round or even qualify for the US Open or Australian Open, it gets good meedia coverage. It demoralises players,” he said.