BAI Shifts Focus to Group Training, Targets Foreign Coaches
The Badminton Association of India (BAI) is embarking on a strategic shift to reduce the reliance on personal coaches and promote group training sessions under national coaches. This move aims to enhance player development and foster a competitive environment within the Indian badminton fraternity.
BAI Secretary General Sanjay Mishra emphasized the benefits of group training, stating that it allows for more efficient use of coaching resources and facilitates faster player improvement. He highlighted the importance of creating a competitive atmosphere where players can push each other to excel.
The association’s decision comes amidst its pursuit of foreign coaches to lead the Indian badminton contingent. Negotiations are underway with Indonesian Irwansyah Adi Pratama and Malaysian Tan Kim Her to coach India’s top singles and doubles players, respectively.
Irwansyah, currently the head coach of Indonesian singles shuttlers, has guided two of his players to the men’s singles final of the All England Open. Tan, on the other hand, has previous experience coaching in India and is credited with pairing Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty.
BAI plans to discuss with coaches and players to determine the optimal number of players each coach can accommodate. The association also intends to seek input from players regarding their preferences and aspirations.
The shift towards group training has been a topic of debate in other sports as well, including shooting, table tennis, and boxing. The national versus personal coach debate highlights the need to balance individual attention with the benefits of a collaborative training environment.
In a related development, Dwi Kristiawan, who left India after the Paris Olympics, will return as a coach and sparring partner for Indian singles shuttlers. His familiarity with Indian conditions and experience in the Indian setup make him a valuable asset.
Meanwhile, PV Sindhu’s campaign at the Japan Masters came to an end in the women’s singles Round of 16, where she lost to Canadian Michelle Li. This marked the conclusion of India’s participation in the Super 500 event.