Hyderabad: Seemingly undeterred by Saina Nehwal's decision to part ways, Chief National badminton coach Pullela Gopichand says his priority now is the upcoming Asian Games and he is focussed on training India's medal contenders for the prestigious multi-sport event.
Gopichand, who has remained tight-lipped about Saina's decision to train under Vimal Kumar in Bangalore, said his priority right now is preparing the shuttlers for the Asiad to be held in South Korea later this month.
"This has been a moment for Sindhu. She played some fantastic badminton in the last week. I would let this day and week just be for her, about her victory rather than something else," Gopichand told PTI referring to Sindhu's bronze medal feat in the recently-concluded World Championship.
"As far as I am concerned, the Asian Games is two weeks away. We need to prepare everybody to do their best at the Asian Games," he said here last evening after returning from Copenhagen.
The 2001 All England Champion said the competition was tough in the World Championship but the Indian shuttlers could have done better.
"It is a big event. I think there are many countries which are on par or a little better than us. So, at the end of the day, we could have gone better but also, we could have come back with the medals. So, I am okay with this," he said.
Observing that the Asian Games is going to be a tough event, he hoped that the Indian players would come up with some impressive performances.
"The Asian Games is going to be definitely a very tough event. I am hoping that we will get some good performances," he said.
Replying to a query, he said this season has been tough with important events like Commonwealth Games, World Championship and Asian Games lined up to take place in a span of a few months.
"We have had a tough event. Last two months have been tough, where the Commonwealth Games which is very important, World Championship which is very important and now the Asian Games. So it is definitely tough. As a coach, as a player, I think it is very important that we keep forgetting (the losses) and moving on," he said.
Gopichand said he would not like to make any changes to the way the players prepare to improve the performances as only less than a fortnight is available.
"It is only two weeks left. We leave on 15th (of September). Today is 2nd (of September). Only 12 days left. So, really I don't see much change which can be done. Wherever the players are comfortable, I think we should let them train and focus on the next event," he said.
Gopichand chooses to remain mum on Saina's decision to part ways:
National badminton coach Pullela Gopichand on Tuesday remained tightlipped about his split with Saina Nehwal, saying he doesn't want to talk about the issue as the Asian Games is just round the corner.
Struggling with her form, India's top shuttler Saina has sought the help of former chief coach Vimal Kumar to prepare for the prestigious Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea but said she will return to Hyderabad after the tournament.
However, Gopichand didn't seem too amused by the development. "Well, it has been ten years we worked together. Whatever has happened, I am not very .... I saw that report in the paper in the morning. Leave it at that," Gopichand told reporters in a press conference today.
"I don't want to comment on that issue because it is two weeks to go for the Asian Games. I think wherever you are training the last thing you want is your focus to be out. So leave it that, (lets) address it later," he said.
Replying to repeated queries on the issue, Gopichand said he doesn't want to discuss the matter at the moment.
