‘India can qualify in doubles at Olympics’

The Malaysian, who signed a five-year contract last month, said the women’s doubles pair of Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa, and men’s doubles pair of B Sumeeth Reddy and Manu Attri are “almost there”.

“There are some good players in India like Jwala (Gutta) and Ashwini (Ponnappa), Sumeeth and Manu. They are playing well, they are on the right frame and right track their ranking is also up now. So I think there are almost there,” Tim Her told PTI. 

“I think Indian doubles players have the potential to qualify for next year’s Olympics. I am extremely positive and if they qualify, anything can happen at the Olympics. Of course, I will have my contribution when I reach India next month,” he added. India’s long wait for a specialist doubles coach ended last month when Badminton Association of India (BAI) appointed Kim Tan Her. Tan Kim Her had signed the contract in the capital on July 24 and is likely to join the team by next month end. 

Asked about his plans, the 43-year-old said: “I have a short term and my long term plan with the Indian team. 

“The short term plan is to see the players qualify for next year Olympics and the long term plan is to groom the junior players for Olympics 2020,” he said. “Last two weeks I was there in India and I spent some time with the junior players. I spoke to a few of them and I was quite impressed. I think they have the potential, they are very intelligent, very disciplined and focused.

“I am sure with a little guidance they can reach the higher level in world badminton,” added the 

Malaysian, who has worked with Korea, Japan and England team. India will be fielding its biggest contingent at the prestigious World Championship with Manu and Sumeeth, and <g data-gr-id="29">Pranaav</g> Jerry Chopra and Akshay Dewalkar representing the country in men’s doubles. While the combo of Arun Vishnu and Aparna Balan, and Kona Tarun and N Sikki Reddy will lead the challenge in mixed doubles, in women’s doubles, besides Jwala and Ashwini, there will be Pradnya and <g data-gr-id="27">Sikk</g>.