5 coaches who have turned things around for Indian sports

#4 Pulela Gopichand, Badminton

More gems like Saina Nehwal and PV Sindhu are expected to turn out from his academy

Although we at Sportskeeda, are no MS Dhoni, but it won’t be too off the mark if we say that Pulela Gopichand is the best thing to happen to Indian badminton. Only the second Indian to win the All England title after Prakash Padukone, Gopichand had a disastrous Olympic campaign in 2000 when he was at the peak of his prowess and was backed by many to get India a medal.

The shuttler lacked, however, proper coaching facilities. And once he took coaching in 2004 he set to eradicate the same problems that hindered his rise in the sport. Gopichand’s acumen was quickly recognised and he was made the national coach in 2006 and he made sure no Indian lacked on the grandest stage what he did.

Gopichand is a tough taskmaster who is ready to give his pupils everything once they commit themselves to him. And the results are there for everyone to see. His protégé Saina Nehwal won the Olympic Bronze in 2012 and in 2016 PV Sindhu demolished opponents on her way to a Silver with coach Gopichand shouting in his advices and mantras from the sidelines.

Kidambi Srikanth and Parupalli Kashyap may not have won the Olympic riches but under Gopichand, and in his champion churning Gopichand academy, they too are climbing up quietly to become World beaters.