Other Sports

India eye long-term progress as Sudirman looms

(Reuters)
Updated: 2007-06-08 10:11

NEW DELHI - India should remain focused on long-term training if they are to build depth for competing against badminton powerhouses such as China, Indonesia and Malaysia, according to chief coach Pullela Gopichand.

The 2001 All England men's champion was appointed last year in a bid to galvanise talent and take India to the next level.

But his push for long-duration camps set off a controversy after the federation refused to enter three top players in open international events after they boycotted the camp.

Indian men's number one Chetan Anand and top women's duo Jwala Gutta and Shruti Kurian have bitterly complained after they were axed for the Sudirman Cup in Glasgow next week.

The trio argue their priority is to earn qualifying points to make it to the Beijing Olympics and not attending camps mainly focused on preparing juniors for the 2010 Commonwealth Games to be held in New Delhi.

"It was something which could have been avoided," Gopichand told Reuters but he added that the issue had been sorted out and would not mar the build-up to the world championships in Kuala Lumpur in August, the sport's next big set-piece after Glasgow.

Already depleted, India also have some fitness concerns over male doubles players Rupesh Kumar and V.Diju.

Indian hopes down in division three of the Sudirman Cup hinge on Anup Sridhar, world no.57 in men's singles, teenaged national women's champion Saina Nehwal and the doubles pair of Sanave Thomas and Kumar, who reached the last eight at the Asian Games in December.

At the elite end, defending champions China will be led by world number ones Lin Dan and Zhang Ning and can expect to ease through the group stage where they meet fourth seeds Malaysia, England and Thailand.

European champions Denmark face South Korea, Indonesia, Hong Kong in the other top group.

The tournament, which starts on Monday, is being held at the Scotstoun International Sports Arena and features 48 nations.