Gopichand, the star of Indian badminton

Immediately after the Asian Badminton championships in New Delhi in April, one was witness to a highly unusual but amusing incident at the Pullela Gopichand Badminton Academy, Hyderabad

Immediately after the Asian Badminton championships in New Delhi in April, one was witness to a highly unusual but amusing incident at the Pullela Gopichand Badminton Academy, Hyderabad. It illustrated the way former All- England champion Gopichand is committed as Indian badminton coach.

While Gopi was busy with some 70 odd juniors at his summer camp, a five-year-old girl trotted up to the Droncharya awardee and demanded as to why he was absent for the last 10 days. Gopi lifted her saying: "Sorry, but I was away on work (doing national duty at the Asians), but I'm back now to play with you."

The entire evening, till Saina Nehwal and other seniors trooped in, Gopi gave the tiny tot all the time and attention she wanted.

Pullela Gopichand

Recently, Gopi's protege Sania Nehwal zooming to World No 3 even as she entered the final of theu00a0 Indonesian Open Super Series, where she is defending her title. In fact, Saina is now India's highest ever ranked singles player of either sex. The result must be attributed to Gopi, who took over the reins as national coach four years ago.

"Gopi sir is not an armchair coach. He's on the court for every session. He personally coaches all of us and enjoys playing with us," says Saina Nehwal if her mentor who at 36 still gives some of the top national stars a run for their money on court.

Gopi's wife Lakshmi, an Olympian and national champ many times over, gives another indication of his commitment. She says: "Gopi leaves home at 6 am and returns only at 9 pm. All the time he's at the academy. We have no social life at all. I have to drag him to see a movie once in three months. And that too after threatening him with a divorce."