Gopi Chand says present players’ horizons are much bigger ahead of World Championships
P. Gopi Chand said on Monday that the current generation of Indian players have much broader horizons as they prepare for the World Championships beginning in New Delhi this week. The former All England champion spoke about generational change and opportunities ahead of the tournament that returns to India 17 years after Hyderabad hosted the event in 2009.
Gopi Chand has been credited with building a coaching system that produced players such as Saina Nehwal and P.V. Sindhu, and his academy opened years before India first hosted the World Championships in his backyard in Hyderabad in 2009. Since then, India has won 15 medals at the World Championships, including Sindhu’s gold in 2019. The comments came in the run-up to the tournament that, according to the report, gets underway on Monday in New Delhi.
On comparing generations, Gopi Chand was unequivocal. “I think it would be very unfair to compare or even think of comparisons. Today’s challenges are today’s, and today’s opportunities are today’s. Back in the day, our aspirations and our outlook were limited. Today, the kids are a lot more aware and their horizons are much bigger. They step in with an ‘I want to be a World champion’ kind of attitude,” he told The Hindu.
He contrasted that outlook with the priorities of his playing days, underlining different mindsets across generations. “Back in the day, we wanted to play well, avoid injuries and get a job. That is all we thought about.” Across generations, there are very different mindsets and aspirations, he said.
Gopi Chand also reflected on a personal dimension to that generational shift through his daughter’s achievements in doubles. “She’s done well. She’s a (double) Commonwealth Games medallist, got to two All England semifinals and is the highest-ranked women’s doubles player the country has ever produced. Forget about what I have done. As a parent, that makes me happy and proud. I’m rejoicing at what she’s doing and I don’t want my All England (triumph) to overshadow the phenomenal job she is doing.” The 52-year-old emphasised he separates his own career from her progress.
He set out a clear expectation for the effect of hosting the championships on India’s next wave of players. “I’m looking forward to the next generation of champions. And India hosting the World championships again should catapult that jump and there’s a huge opportunity for us to propel further”.
The World Championships begin on Monday in New Delhi, and Gopi Chand said hosting the event should provide a platform for India’s emerging players to advance.