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Commonwealth Games Decision To Drop Badminton, Hockey Aimed To ‘Stunt’ India: Pullela Gopichand

admin — Tue, 22 Oct 2024 12:39:17 +0000

The legendary Pullela Gopichand and Vimal Kumar on Tuesday slammed the decision to exclude sports such as badminton from 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games and urged the country to not send a team to the event as it is aimed at “stunting” India’s progress. In a blow to India’s medal prospects in the Commonwealth Games, key sports such as hockey, badminton, wrestling, cricket, table tennis and shooting have been dropped from the 2026 edition by host city Glasgow, which unveiled a pruned roster of 10 disciplines to keep the event budget-friendly and free of “operational risks”.

But the roster has stunned the Indian sports fraternity with Gopichand and Vimal coming out with the strongest reactions.

“There is no need for CWG. In my opinion, they should do away with it. It is better to organise Olympics and Asian Games than CWG. It is pathetic, I am really disappointed. CWG is losing its charm, it’s relevance, so I feel strongly we shouldn’t send out a team for CWG, it is not required,” former India coach Vimal told PTI.

“Instead of CWG it is important to look at ways to provide better facilities to athletes at Olympics and Asian Games. CWG is not required. You have to put good physical sport in the program, if you take away all that then what’s the point,” he added.

Relocated to the Scottish capital after Victoria’s withdrawal as host due to an increase in projected costs, the Games will feature just 10 events, which is nine less than the previous edition held in 2022 in Birmingham.

Squash and archery are also not part of what will be a massively pruned down Games.

Gopichand, who is often credited with creating a pipeline of top badminton players by identifying them at a young age, described the move by the games’ organisers’ as appalling.

“I am deeply appalled and disappointed by the decision to exclude badminton from the 2026 Commonwealth Games — a judgment that appears to be aimed at stunting the progress of nations like India,” the former All England champion said.

Gopichand added, “Badminton has brought us immense pride and success, serving as a vital platform for our brightest talents to shine on the international stage.

“This decision represents a significant lapse not just for Indian badminton, but for the sport worldwide, lacking clear reasoning and jeopardizing its growth.” Gopichand said India must strongly object to this decision and raise the matter with the appropriate authorities.

“It is crucial that we raise our voices and bring this issue to the appropriate authorities to ensure badminton continues to thrive and inspire future generations.

“As the sport experiences exponential growth globally, the reasons for its exclusion must be scrutinized and discussed with the relevant stakeholders.

“We cannot allow such shortsighted decisions to undermine the progress we have tirelessly achieved,” he said.

The 23rd edition of the Games is scheduled to take place from July 23 to August 2, marking Glasgow’s return as host after 12 years.

India sent 210 athletes to the 2022 Birmingham Games across 16 sports, winning 61 medals in the process with 30 of those podium finishes coming from disciplines that won’t be there at the Glasgow Games.

Saurav Ghosal, one of India’s greatest squash players, described it as a backward step after the sport’s inclusion at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

“Obviously very disappointing that squash is not there in the Commonwealth Games, you know, especially after getting into the Olympics for 2028 last year.

“It’s been a very, very important event in the squash calendar since it was first there in 1998. We really hope that this is an anomaly and that moving forward squash will rightfully take its place back in the list of sports for the Commonwealth Games,” Ghosal told PTI.

Ghosal is India’s first singles medallist at the Games, having won bronze in the 2022 edition in Birmingham.

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Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty Will Be The Ones To Beat In Paris Olympics: Pullela Gopichand

admin — Mon, 04 Mar 2024 17:54:47 +0000

Chief national badminton coach Pullela Gopichand on Monday singled out world number one doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty as favourites for an Olympic medal and said two-time medallist PV Sindhu too is on the right path and can deliver once again at the Paris Games. Returning after a long injury layoff, double Olympic medalist Sindhu led India’s women’s team to a historic gold at the Badminton Asia Team Championships. Satwik and Chirag, on the other hand, have been on a dream run with successive runner-up finishes in 2023 China Open and Malaysia Open Super 1000 and India Open Super 750 this season to emerge as the world No 1 doubles pair.

“It would be fair to say that, as the world number ones today, they are definitely a prospect to win at the highest level,” Gopichand said at the announcement of ‘Revsportz Sports Conclave’ at Calcutta Sports Journalists’ Club.

“They are a solid pair; whenever they step on the court, they are one of the favorites. Months away, today, if I have to pick across sports, across countries, any one pair which is the pair to beat at the Olympics, it will have to be Satwik and Chirag.” Asked about India’s total medals’ count in Paris, he said: “It’s elections time, so everyone is guessing big. But I won’t give a number, I think it will definitely be more than what we had last time.”

Sindhu can win her third at Paris

Playing her first match in four months at BATC in February since retiring in the second round of the French Open in October due to an injury, World No. 11 Sindhu beat Han Yue of China, Lo Sin Yan Happy of Hong Kong and Supanida Katethong of Thailand to help India win the gold at BATC.

“I’m definitely with Sindhu. Here is someone who has performed well in the past. I do believe that she is on the right track. The next few months will be crucial,” he said.

“She had lost to Supanida (Katethong) previously, so beating her in the final was a significant victory.” Sindhu will be seen in action next at the French Open Super 750 beginning on Tuesday.

“I’m confident that she played well in the BWF Asia Team Championships, and in the upcoming tournaments, whether in France, All England, or the Asian Championships, she will face higher-ranked players. Nevertheless, I am convinced that she is in good form.

How realistic is her chance of winning a medal at Paris? “She certainly faces tough competition against players like Korean world number 1 An Se Young, Chinese number 2 Chen Yu Fei, or Japan’s world number 4 Akane Yamaguchi.

“However, she has proven herself in the past, and I believe she has the potential to deliver again in Paris.

“If you look at her game, it’s very physical. In slow conditions where physicality becomes crucial, she has consistently delivered. Big stadiums typically have a physical element, and that’s when Sindhu tends to perform even better.” As for the NextGen badminton players, Gopichand pinned strong hopes on Anmol Kharb and Priyanshu Rajawat.

“Anmol is one of the brightest. The way she played at the Asian Championships, defeating players from China, Thailand, and Japan at crucial junctures, bodes well for Indian badminton. In men’s there is the likes of Priyanshu Rajawat.” Former world No. 1 Kidambi Srikanth has slipped to World No. 24 but Gopichand believes there’s nothing wrong in his work ethics.

“He’s been working really hard, so I can’t really say there’s a problem in his work ethic. However, people have analysed him extensively; they understand the type of game he plays. He has to figure out new ways, and he’s putting in the effort. Kashyap is helping him,” Gopichand said.

Impressed with the natural talents from the region, Gopichand also has hopes that players from Bengal will come up the ranks once again.

“In general, Bengal, particularly in this region, has individuals with strong legs who move very quickly, and their stroke-making is quite interesting. It comes very effortlessly to players here, who are naturally adept movers on the court. From that perspective, with decent infrastructure and a good coaching system, you will start producing champions,” he concluded.

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