BAI Prepares for Upcoming Changes
18 days ago | 5 Views
New Delhi: In an effort to gradually transition away from individual coaching structures, the Badminton Association of India (BAI) has identified 50 senior players from various disciplines who will participate in group training sessions at facilities located in Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Guwahati.
The federation has also selected 11 former players who have transitioned into coaching roles to work alongside their international counterparts at these training camps. It has been reported that the list of these coaches has been submitted to the Sports Authority of India (SAI), and formal approval is expected to be received within the week, according to BAI. Currently, Malaysia's Tan Kim Her serves as the doubles coach for the Indian team in Hyderabad, while Indonesian Irwansyah Adi Pratama and South Korea's Yoo Yong-sung are coaching the women's and men's singles, respectively, both based in Bengaluru.
Notable former players such as Gurusai Dutt, Manu Attri, and Parupalli Kashyap are among the 49 applicants for coaching positions and are likely to be included in the final selection of 11 coaches who will collaborate with the foreign coaches across the three training locations.
BAI General Secretary Sanjay Mishra stated on Tuesday that the initiative will soon be implemented, emphasizing the necessity of incorporating Indian coaches to preserve the unique skills of Indian players. He noted that while players are becoming fitter, there is a concern that they may be losing their inherent skills, particularly in contrast to the power-based playing styles of Indonesian and Malaysian players. The federation has been eager to facilitate training opportunities for elite players alongside those who are less experienced, and prominent athletes, including double Olympic medalist PV Sindhu, who trains with Irwansyah, support this initiative.
Players will have the option to choose any of the three training venues, with coaches assigned accordingly. This arrangement is seen as mutually beneficial, allowing less experienced players to challenge themselves against top competitors while providing elite players with routine training opportunities.
We intend to engage the under-17 demographic, as we believe that U-15 athletes benefit from remaining with their families for emotional support. With the high-caliber training provided at NCE, we anticipate developing players who can excel in elite competitions within a span of 3-4 years,” stated BAI.
The Guwahati facility is currently staffed with three international coaches: Sankar Annamalai from Malaysia, Park Tae-Sang from South Korea, and Ivan Sozonov from Russia. Additionally, there are plans to involve prominent Indian coaches to work with the junior athletes.
“Our primary focus is on junior players. It is essential to begin strategizing for the future beyond Sindhu, and we are optimistic about the emergence of talented players in the next 3-4 years,” Mishra remarked.
Nevertheless, there are apprehensions regarding players who are reluctant to relocate their training base. BAI clarified that it does not intend to compel players to adhere to the new arrangement.
“We will make efforts to persuade them, but if an individual is not inclined, we will not impose compliance. Ultimately, our goal is to ensure that our players maintain a positive mental state during their training,” BAI emphasized.
BWF Inspection
A delegation of technical specialists from the Badminton World Federation (BWF), the governing body of the sport, is scheduled to visit India in June to evaluate the venue for this year’s Junior World Championship in Guwahati (October 13-19). The BWF team will be in Guwahati on June 8 and 9, followed by a visit to Delhi on June 10 to assess the Indira Gandhi Stadium, which is likely to host the 2026 Senior World Championships.
“BWF will submit a report based on their evaluation. Our Guwahati center is in excellent condition; however, there have been previous concerns regarding the KD Jadhav wrestling hall adjacent to IG Stadium. While certain factors, such as pollution, are beyond our control, we will take all necessary measures to ensure the venue is maintained in optimal condition,” Mishra stated.
Consequently, the Indian Open 2026 will be relocated from the KD Jadhav Hall to the main IG stadium. An all-India domestic ranking event will also be conducted at the same venue leading up to the World Championships to assess the venue’s readiness.
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