COVID-19 situation worrisome but I need more players to train India for Olympics: Santoso

India’s international coach for badminton, Agus Dwi Santoso, says he won’t be able to implement his plans with solely 4 shuttlers at his disposal, and needs the Sports Authority of India to permit extra gamers within the nationwide camp.

He admitted that the COVID-19 state of affairs stays worrisome however stated they should adapt to it.

The nodal sports activities physique had allowed the camp for eight Olympic hopefuls following approval from the Telangana authorities on August 1 however solely 4 are at present coaching on the SAI-Pullela Gopichand Academy.

“The current situation is still a worry but we have to adapt and live with the virus. We have been following the protocols of the government but I need more players to implement my plans,” Santoso advised PTI.

He has been employed to work with the highest singles gamers.

Out of the eight Olympic hopefuls, solely world champion PV Sindhu, B Sai Praneeth, girls’s doubles specialist Sikki Reddy and former world no. 1 Kidambi Srikanth are at present attending the camp.

Former world no. 1 Saina Nehwal has nonetheless not joined the nationwide camp and is coaching at a separate facility with husband Parupalli Kashyap and some others, who usually are not a part of the camp.

Satwiksairaj Ranki Reddy, who just lately examined positive for COVID-19, is at his residence in Amalapuram in Andhra Pradesh, whereas his males’s doubles accomplice Chirag Shetty is lodged in Mumbai. Ashwini Ponnappa has most popular to remain in Bangalore and prepare on the Padukone-Dravid Centre of Sports Excellence.

“I understand SAI’s decision to allow eight players for the camp in this pandemic but only four players are training. I need more players of the same level, quality players because badminton is a mind game, it needs teamwork,” Santoso stated.

“It has been few weeks and we are still training a few players and that is not good. It is important to train as a group so that players can compete hard and help each other. A healthy competition is important.

“I hope for support from SAI in getting more players to train. Once we have that, we would be in a better position to prepare and do well in tournaments including the Tokyo Olympics.” Talking about India as a badminton nation, the Indonesian coach stated the nation is filled with gifted gamers.

“India has a lot of talented and gifted players. But the chances of a medal at the Olympics depends on a lot of things. I am happy with the support and freedom that I have to train players.” Santoso, who was working with the Thailand nationwide crew earlier than becoming a member of the Indian set-up in March, stated it should take time for gamers to regulate to his coaching regime.

“It all depends on the players. I am still new here, so I need to understand the players more and they have to understand me,” he stated.

“I know they are past champions but they have different characters and they will take time to adjust to a new coach.” Santoso was roped in primarily for the Tokyo Olympics, which was postponed to subsequent 12 months as a result of raging pandemic.

“I have no problem with the delay of the Olympics. I see it as a positive because my players have more time to prepare. So my focus is on the preparation for the Olympics,” he signed off.

India’s subsequent project is the Thomas and Uber Cup Final, which is scheduled to be held from October 3-11. The crew is but to be introduced for the event.