BWF World Championships: All the viewers watching the opening round matches of Kidambi Srikanth and B Sai Praneeth in the BWF World Championships were met by a strange sight. PV Sindhu’s personal coach Park Tae Sang could be seen in their corner instead of designated coach Mohammed Siyadath Ullah, who was set to be the singles coach for the Indian contingent. Follow BWF World Championships Live updates on InsideSport.IN
The Hyderabad-based coach’s visa did not arrive in time which meant that he could not travel to Huelva, Spain. Now he will do his coaching through Zoom or WhatsApp calls.
BWF World Championships: Zoom call coaching for Kidambi Srikanth, B Sai Praneeth? Check details
“I have already informed the players of my inability to travel. Tactically, if there are any tips to be shared I will do so via Zoom or WhatsApp. They are experienced players and I’m sure they will do well in Spain,” Siyadath told InsideSport from Hyderabad.
All of India’s singles shuttlers would have had to play without a coach and the Badminton Association of India had to make makeshift arrangements.
Park, who had coached India’s singles shuttlers back in 2019 when PV Sindhu had her own won personal coach in Kim Ji-Hyun of Korea, was asked to step in at the last moment. He was seen exchanging tips and ideas with both Indian singles players in action on Day 1.
“Park knows the players as he has trained them before. It will not be a problem. Even DK Sen (Lakshya Sen’s father) will be helping,” Siyadath indicated.
However the move bore mixed results with Kidambi Srikanth going on to win his opening encounter with a 21-12, 21-16 scoreline against Pablo Abian of Spain. However, it was curtains for B Sai Praneeth who lost to Mark Caljouw 21-17, 7-21, 18-21. Praneeth had lost to Caljouw at the Tokyo Olympics as well.
BWF World Championships: Zoom call coaching for Kidambi Srikanth, B Sai Praneeth? Check details
“BAI tried their best to ensure visas for all but the Spanish Embassy did not approve it on time. They were taking too long and the process would have taken till Tuesday. This has been a major problem. Even Kidambi faced issues but managed to travel just in time,” a BAI source indicated.
Kidambi Srikanth was also issued a visa on behalf of the Spanish Embassy at the last minute under pressure from the organizers of the BWF World Championships. However, Indonesian doubles coach Dwi Kristiawan could not reach Spain due to visa issues. Doubles coach Arun Vishnu was sent in his place.
After the World Tour Finals in Indonesia, shuttlers like PV Sindhu, Lakshya Sen, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, Chirag Shetty left for Spain directly, while Srikanth had to leave for India for a visa.
BWF World Championships: Zoom call coaching for Kidambi Srikanth, B Sai Praneeth? Check details
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