Badminton players should not rely on government, says former coach

Former India coach Vimal Kumar feels that India’s current crop of badminton players should not rely on government funding to do well at major events, choosing to instead believe in themselves and go the professional way, just as the country’s tennis players have done.

Kumar, who was a 2-time national champion said, “There is a lot in favour of players these days in terms of support and they should understand how being on their own can help them achieve higher goals at the international level. People in India are generally resistant to being on their own, but their approach needs to change.”

Kumar during his playing time had managed to break into the Top 20 in the 1980’s and even paid from his own pocket for his various international trips. And he wants more players of the current crop to also do it as he feels that they have so many more advantages than what he did.

“Unlike before, badminton players in India today are much better off. They get good sponsorships, are employed by good companies, the Badminton Association of India supports them and they also get good backing from the government through the ministry of sports. They should travel overseas on government support only while representing India in Thomas and Uber Cups or the Olympics. For open tournaments, they should be on their own.”

When asked how this would help the players, he replied – “They can choose the tourneys they want to play in and hire their own coach, trainer or physio. More importantly, they should also draw up their own calendar and make a base overseas to practice with single-minded focus like a Roger Federer or a Rafael Nadal does. This will ensure that they stay away from the unwanted appointments back home which could prove distracting.”

He also felt the expenses in such a scenario would not be huge with the players being compensated handsomely these days with good sponsorships as well as prize money.

“The prize money and eventual endorsements would fetch them far more money. Some Indian players are already making good money and an annual expense of Rs 20 or 25 lakh would be nothing compared to what they would earn.”

Indian badminton legend and former All England champion Prakash Padukone was also in favour of this idea. Padukone himself had based himself out of Sweden and Denmark during the peak of his playing days.

“I agree with the idea. It is up to a player to make that call. This will help them appoint personal staff, including trainers and psychologists. The top players are the ones who should make a start as they can afford it. The results would show what they can achieve. More importantly, the BAI and the government should also extend all possible help to such players by way of clearances and entries in open tournaments. The players should, however, take care of their own expenses except when they represent the national team,” Padukone said.