Saina-Gopi split was Indian badminton's best kept secret

Rift or no rift, the Saina-Gopi split was Indian badminton's best kept secret, writes former India player Sanjay Sharma

Rift or no rift, the Saina-Gopi split wasu00a0 Indian badminton's best kept secret, writes former India player Sanjay Sharma

The so-called Saina Nehwal-Pullela Gopichand split has probably been the best kept secret in Indian badminton for the last two months. I had an inkling during a visit to Gopichand's academy in Hyderabad when I saw Saina practising with Bhaskar Babu. On my previous visits, it used to be only Gopi training Saina and Parupalli Kashyap.


Saina Nehwal (left) with former coach Pullela Gopichand, who won the
All England badminton title in 2001. PIC/AFP

Then at the Super Series, it was strange that the national coach wasn't present during Saina's first round loss to Japanese Ai Gotto. Bhaskar Babu was occupying the coach's chair.

No rift
Gopi dismissed suggestions of a rift with his star student: "Saina felt that I was not able to give her as much time as she needed, with my duties as national coach. So we decided that it was best that Bhaskar trains her.

I do not interfere at all unless they want some advice. Sania still plays at my academy and will continue to do so. There is no friction at all and I will continue to help whenever needed. I think they are doing well. Saina is a mature girl and Bhaskar is an experienced coach.

India duties
"In any case, I was contracted by Badminton Association of India to help all players till the Commonwealth Games and I did that. Now, my duty as national coach means I cannot travel with her all the time. It's good that Bhaskar is solely focussing on her career."

There is more than what meets the eye. After all, Saina has been Gopi's protege for a long time and she did extremely well under his tutelage. But Gopi is not willing to reveal any more. He will however travel with the Indian squad, which includes Saina, for the Sudirman Cup shortly. "Saina has been playing with me for the last three months regularly. I don't think much should be read into this arrangement," said Bhaskar. Whether this new coaching arrangement will help Saina in the long run remains to be seen, but her decision to part ways with Gopi has to be respected.