Sport - Badminton   

It's painful but unavoidable: Gopi Chand

By Our Sports Reporter

HYDERABAD FEB. 1. India's best-known shuttler, Pullela Gopi Chand, has pulled out of the prestigious All England badminton championship to commence in England from February 11. "It is a painful but unavoidable decision,'' he remarked.

In an exclusive chat with The Hindu, the 29-year-old star player informed that he was advised by his personal doctor, Dr. Ashok Rajgopal of Delhi, to start competitive circuit from next month only. "I am definitely feeling comfortable and the recovery progress is pretty good on the injured right knee. In fact, I started serious practice only a week ago,'' Gopi explained.

Commenting on his future assignments, the 2001 All England champion mentioned that his first international event would be the Sudirman Cup World team championship next month and that should give him a fair idea about where exactly his game and physical fitness stand. Meanwhile, for the next one month, Gopi has decided to train in NIS, Patiala with assistance from athletics trainer, Nagapuri Ramesh.

The four-time National champion also makes it clear that he was never interested in competing at the highest level with 50 per cent fitness. "When you go out there, you have to be fully fit and then only an objective assessment can be made,'' Gopi remarked. "Yes, it is definitely painful to miss All England but it was not in my hands. Rather unfortunately, ever since I had won the title two years ago, serious injuries have been affecting my game and planning,'' said a dejected Gopi.

The champion, who by virtue of his stupendous feat in the 2001 All England edition,has triggered of a second revolution for the sport in India, is also keeping his fingers crossed at the reports of the International Badminton Federation deliberating again on the points format. It may be recalled that Gopi suffered badly as the 15-point format was changed to 11-point immediately after he won the All England title. Only recently, it was reverted to 15-point again.

"But, I heard some major decisions will be taken on this front. It is really sad that the IBF is not thinking about the players when taking decisions which make or mar a player,'' Gopi moaned. To keep himself in the right frame of mind before his next major international assignment, Gopi is back to his 'Art of Living' of his guru Pandit Ravi Shankar. ''It has helped me a lot and I am really enjoying it,'' he concluded.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Sport

News: Front Page | National | Southern States | Other States | International | Opinion | Business | Sport | Miscellaneous |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Obituary |

Stories in this Section

Badminton

• It's painful but unavoidable: Gopi Chand
  
  Basketball
  
• Tamil Nadu men extend lease on title
  
  Cricket
  
• How the Cup was won: 1996
  
  Hockey
  
• Western men, Northern women emerge champions
  
  Sports : General
  
• Kerala girls keep record books busy
  
  Tennis
  
• Team assembles for Davis Cup tie
• Tangphong triumphs
  
  Table Tennis
  
• Karnataka, Maharashtra and Gujarat keep winning
  
  

Copyright © 2003, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu