National badminton coach Pullela Gopichand is happy with the way Indian Badminton League has managed to grab the attention of the public with a very refreshing new format. Lots of spectators have been coming in to watch the high-voltage drama and is very much expected to draw more crowd in next few days as the tournament will be approaching its business-end. Gopichand stressed upon the fact that infrastructure needs to be improved alongside equipments and staffs.
He was quoted by Deccan Herald saying, "It is important to get a good start and the IBL has got a good start. It has created a phenomenal buzz. The second day in Delhi saw 3,000 people,"
"In Guangzhou alone there are 1,700 courts, and in Mumbai it must be 50. So infrastructure is needed but in association with good coaches and equipment," he said.
He was happy with PV Sindhu as she claimed a bronze medal at the World Badminton Championship last week to make the nation proud of her remarkable feat.
He was quoted by The Hindu saying, "Sindhu is doing good. It is one thing to reach a certain level and another to go to the next level. She needs to play more matches. Her planning in the last two years has been spot on."
He threw some light on Sindhu’s opponent, in semi-final of World Championship, Thailand's Ratchanok Intanon who went onto claim the gold medal. "She won three world junior titles in the last five years. She is very fit."
He also praised ace Chinese Olympic and world champion Lin Dan for his ability to maintain fitness and said, "He is not the most gifted player but he has worked hard on his fitness, which would have taken him a lot of years. He is in a position to choose his matches and he has the ability to win most of his matches because of his physical fitness."