Top women’s doubles shuttler Jwala Gutta on Thursday welcomed the appointment of reputed doubles coach Kim Tan Her but said the Malaysian should be the sole decision maker and there should not be any interference from anybody.
“It’s (appointment of doubles coach) a good thing for Indian badminton. But, I only wish that he should be the sole decision maker. Nobody else should interfere with his decisions for doubles. If that happens, that will be good for doubles in the country,” Jwala said.
Jwala’s partner Ashwini Ponnappa also gave a thumbs up to the decision of Badminton Association of India (BAI) to rope in the experienced Kim Tan Her.
“I think it’s a huge boost for us as doubles players. It’s going to be really helpful. We are looking forward to it,” Ashwini said.
Four years ago, 2010 Commonwealth Games champions Jwala and Ashwini had broken a 28-year-old medal drought for India by winning the bronze at the World Championship in london and the celebrated pair is now gearing up for the prestigious event at Indonesia, where they are second seeds.
“I think we are the first (Indian) women doubles pair ever to be seeded (in world championship), so I am really excited on entering the tournament on a high. I am very happy about it,” Jwala said.
The 2011 Glasgow Commonwealth Games silver medallists received a boost ahead of the World Championship after they clinched the Canada Open Grand Prix in June.
Jwala, who trains with Dronacharya awardee S M Arif, said their preparation for the upcoming event has been good.
“It’s been good. I went to Bangalore to train with Ashwini for a few days. We have had a couple of good sessions. Ashwini and me, we are feeling really good, top of our game. Just looking forward to it,” Jwala said.
Echoing Jwala’s feelings, Ashwini said their aim is to win a medal though they want to take it slowly.
“The preparations have been good. Jwala and I did manage to get a couple of sessions together, which is really good again. Our expectation is obviously to do really well and win a medal. We are going to represent the country at world championships and the aim is to get past the first round and take it step by step,” Ashwini said.
Jwala and Ashwini, who are ranked world number 12 in the women’s doubles category, said they are yet to get official intimation about being included in the Target Olympic Podium (TOP) scheme.
“We have not been intimated officially. So, we are still waiting for the intimation. If it happens, it’s good. We still need to get the official intimation. It’s all through media. We don’t know anything,” Jwala said.