Unprofessional administration plaguing the game: Gopichand

All England badminton champion Pulella Gopichand on Thursday said "unprofessional working" in the administration is one of the many ills plaguing the game in the country.

Speaking at a felicitation function organised by the Mumbai Press Club, the ace shuttler, who was accompanied by former badminton greats Nandu Natekar and Prakash Padukone, said a total overhaul of the present set-up is the need of the hour if Indian badminton hopes to consolidate on its recent successes at the international level.

Asked how top-class players can be produced, Gopichand replied: "First of all, we must find out our shortcomings. The players also cannot practice together at one place as they belong to different states."

Lamenting that coaching styles in the country are outdated, both Gopichand and Padukone stressed the need for a foreign coach.

"It is better to have a coach from abroad who can imbibe latest techniques. But along with a coach there is also the necessity of having a physio to improve the fitness level of our players," they remarked.

However, Natekar expressed doubts over the usefulness of a foreign coach. "There can be a danger in having a coach from abroad, for he might try to alter the styles and tactics of our players," he opined.

Asked whether prize-money or financial assistance can help the players better their game, Padukone, who won the All England title in 1980, answered in the affirmative.

"Money surely makes the mare go. For, under the present conditions, without financial incentives it is virtually impossible for a player to survive in the tough grind at the top level," he said.

Photograph: Jewella C Miranda