25th October 2024: Speaking at ABP Network’s The Southern Rising Summit 2024, Padma Bhushan awardee and celebrated Badminton Coach Pullela Gopichand shared insights into his journey and the immense grit behind India’s sporting achievements. Reflecting on his All England Men’s Singles Championship win in 2001, he recalled, “When I won, there was no regular coach, no stable funding, no electricity, and I had endured three knee injuries. Yet, I won. That moment made me realize that if I could achieve this without the basics, our country’s young talents, with the right support, could accomplish even more.”
In the summit session titled Creating Champions: Transforming Communities, Gopichand shed light on the often-overlooked struggles in Indian sports. He shared, “Many see only the glamour, but the reality is different. A few years back, I noticed some girls missing practice. They explained they couldn’t afford sanitary napkins, forcing them to skip days each month. And these were national-level players. This is the reality.”
Gopichand emphasized the unparalleled resilience of Indian athletes, noting, “I see people in corporate jobs working hard, but let me tell you, no one works as hard as an athlete in this country. They bring glory to the nation without the resources many take for granted.”
Responding to a question about Vinesh Phogat’s disqualification at the Paris Olympics due to being slightly overweight, Gopichand empathized, “Athletes like wrestlers and weightlifters train with relentless discipline, often barely eating to maintain weight. If I were on their diet, I’d lose weight instantly. I can only imagine what she went through that night—she had nothing left to give.”
Gopichand also highlighted the impact of his grassroots efforts, sharing, “We started a program in Mizoram, and now we have 872 kids playing badminton there. This is incredible progress.” Looking forward, he praised the dedication of Indian athletes, adding, “For a champion, Plan B isn’t an option. Plan A has to be enough. People may doubt, but that’s the kind of madness it takes to succeed.”
In these words, Gopichand underscored the intense discipline, sacrifices, and unwavering belief that drive India’s athletes to excel on the global stage.
