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In an interview with The Indian Express Gopichand adds that India is not equipping the large swathes of sportspeople who don't make it big, for alternative careers. (Express Archive)
Indian badminton national head coach Pullela Gopichand drew parallels between Badminton and Kabaddi while speaking on the larger role of sport in inspiring national pride from his experiences as a viewer.
Speaking to JioStar on the sidelines of the Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 action, Gopichand said he had watched plenty of the kabaddi league. “I have watched quite a few kabaddi games, including the finals of previous seasons. So yes, I have had some good experience as a viewer. I feel lucky to have enjoyed some truly great games.”
It was the unmissable action that made it unique, he said. “Kabaddi is quick, and there’s action at every moment. You bat an eyelid and you might miss something big. That’s what makes it very, very exciting, and that’s what I really love about it. Of course, the aggression, the energy of the players, and the adrenaline in the arena make it a great entertainer.”
He reckoned there were plenty of similarities between kabaddi and badminton.”I do believe there are a lot of commonalities between badminton and kabaddi. One of the most important aspects is agility, which plays a key role in both sports. The presence of mind to identify gaps is equally crucial,” he noted. “Strong legs, core strength, and abdominal fitness are fundamental requirements. And of course, the concept of ‘hit and get back’ defines both games. In kabaddi, you raid and return, while in badminton, you strike and quickly get back to the centre or prepare for the next stroke. In many ways, it all comes down to the mind, the planning, and the execution, which makes both sports very similar in spirit,” he added.
On the power of sport in shaping national pride, he told JioHotstar, “It’s supremely important that, as a nation, we look at sport in the right spirit. Every win matters. I remember what our Prime Minister said back in 2014, after the Commonwealth Games, that every performance adds a drop of pride into the nation’s bucket. For any nation, community, or society to rise, pride is a crucial element. Every win, whether on the cricket field, the badminton court, the hockey turf, or the kabaddi mat, fills us with pride. And the next morning, more than a billion people wake up with renewed energy.
“Sport doesn’t just affect the individual — their health, their discipline, their decision-making — but it also shapes us as a nation. It builds pride, it boosts productivity, and it changes the collective mindset. That’s why I believe sport has an immensely powerful role to play, not only for athletes but for society at large.”
Kabaddi legend Pardeep Narwal, Indian badminton Chief Coach Pullela Gopichand, hockey legend Dhanraj Pillay, Paralympic medallist Yogesh Kathuniya, and rising Rajasthan Royals star Vaibhav Sooryavanshi were on the sidelines of the National Sports Day celebration.
English (US) ·