Gopichand roots for grass root development in badminton

Dehradun, Jan 31 (UNI) National chief coach Pullela Gopichand today said development in the grass root level would be the key to take Indian badminton to international standards.

''Though government support, infrastructure and the existing system in higher level is much better now, the same is not true at the grass root level,'' Gopichand, who was here for the All India Major Ranking Prize Money badminton championship, told reporters at a meet the press programme.

''More international tournaments should be organised in India and we need to groom the junior players properly,'' he said, adding that many junior players have revealed their talents.

Maintaining that badminton was confined to a few states, Gopichand said Badminton Association of India was trying to promote the sport in non badminton-playing areas.

''However, we could rank badminton in third or fourth slot in popularity in the country,'' he maintained, adding that glamour was yet to have its say in the sport.

Gopichand, however, lamented over the sport not getting sufficient sponsorships from corporate houses though it was ''attracting enough media attention like cricket and tennis.'' ''To produce more international level players it was necessary to have the similar systems that existed in countries like China and Malaysia,'' he said.

He admitted that Indian players lacked in stamina, endurance and speed and have to do a lot in this areas.

When asked whether he favours appointing foreign coaches, Gopichand said, ''There is nothing wrong in hiring result-oriented foreign coaches.'' He also said the change in the scoring system would benefit low-ranking players.

Meanwhile, national women champion Saina Nehwal said she had improved a lot and gained confidence after winning the Phillipines open last year.

''However I have still to improve in my speed and play at the net,'' she said.

UNI