Saina needs change to excel again, says new coach Vimal Kumar
Vimal prefers to stay away from the spotlight, but never shies away from speaking his mind. In his heyday as a player, he was a known rebel and never hesitated in taking cudgels against the federation when it came to the players' cause.
When it comes to drive and passion to be a top coach, Vimal Kumar is second to none. But Vimal the person is quite the opposite.
He prefers to stay away from the spotlight, but never shies away from speaking his mind. In his heyday as a player, he was a known rebel and never hesitated in taking cudgels against the federation when it came to the players' cause.
That is why his voice has always mattered in Indian badminton. Vimal suddenly finds himself in the spotlight when Olympic bronze medallist Saina Nehwal moved to Bangalore to train under him.
Immediately, speculation started that Saina was breaking away from her longtime coach and former All England champion Pullela Gopichand. However, Vimal has chosen to focus on his work.
Breaking his silence, the renowned coach said it was mutually agreed by the 'team management that Saina needed a change' that could help her get back the 'spark' to excel at the top level.
"The move to bring Saina to Bangalore for training was taken after consulting the team management. All three of us - myself, (Pullela) Gopichand and Madhumita (Bisht)-sat down and had a discussion, and based on that we decided that she needed a change. We all know and understand each other quite well. There is no conflict. It is a perfect arrangement," Vimal said.
"It always helps to have a change in environment whether it is in the corporate sector or sport. Sometimes it is important to get out of one's regular routine and try something different. A small change can spark something in her. So it is all about getting that spark back and get her refreshed," Vimal said.
An added advantage for Saina, who has struggled with form and fitness over the last couple of years, is that she is also picking the brains of legendary Prakash Padukone.
"All of us, including Prakash, are trying to help her out here so that she can come out with her best. And she herself is quiet eager to give her best at the Asian Games. It is a process. She has proved what she can achieve. We have high hopes from her, the country has high hopes from her and she realises that. That is why she wants to give herself the best chance at the Asian Games," says Vimal, who won bronze at the Seoul Asian Games in 1986.
The Padukone academy was the only top quality facility for badminton in the country before Gopichand came up with his own academy in Hyderabad. As co-founder and chief coach at the academy, Vimal has played a crucial role in shaping the careers of many top Indian players, including Gopichand himself.
The association of Vimal and Saina goes back a long way. It was Vimal who handed Saina her first big international break at the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games. He saw tremendous hunger and spark in the teenager, who justified Vimal's decision by beating some top players.
The association was revived when Vimal's advice during this year's Uber Cup helped Saina put up an impressive performance. Vimal has also taken up several challenging coaching assignments and has worked as an official coach for the International Badminton Development Programme and was an instructor at the IBF World Badminton Academy.
Now Vimal has a new task in front of him."It is a challenge for me. As coaches, we have to get the best out of them. It is part of coaching to try out different things and see what works for a player. When a player is going through such phases, a coach has to see where he can help them," he said.