Doha, September 8 (IANS) – Indian ace midfielder and former All England champion Pullela Gopichand has given wing to his plans to promote badminton in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations by opening a badminton foundation in Doha.
Gopichand intends to open a few foundations in the Gulf nations that together are home to a large number of marginalized people from around the world and in which the Indian diaspora plays an important role.
The new foundation was launched under the auspices of the Dubai-based Gulf Badminton Academy (GBA), of which Gopichand is the lead tutor. Qatar-based Athlen Sports Events is joining forces with GBA to fire the foundation.
“We are focused on providing extensive in-person training, online assets and ongoing support to help drive and develop the sport of badminton in the Arab world. We are very happy to say goodbye in Qatar in association with Athlen sports”, said Gopichand.
Badminton has been gaining prominence of late in Qatar, where some training venues have grown, mostly in air-conditioned indoor offices. “The cruel intensity of the gulf frequently drives young and old to indoor games and badminton has seen a flood of notoriety in Qatar lately,” said an expert mentor showing the game at a major club in Doha.
There are about 10 preparation foundations now in the small country, which has a total population of 2.7 million.
Generally speaking, there is less guarantee for the real game than to involve it as a source of obtaining real well-being and, moreover, fun, said the mentor about the state of darkness. Many guardians send their children to court as a diversion from computer games and a stationary life, he added.
The foundation’s mentors will train with Gopichand at his foundation in Hyderabad, according to a press release. Senior mentors from Hyderabad will be visiting constantly to bestow advanced skills on players.