Pullela Gopichand: Started badminton academy by mortgaging the house, today he is the guru of many famous players.
Delhi: Whenever the name of badminton is mentioned in India, Pullela Gopichand's name comes first. The legendary player who gave this game a distinct identity in India at the international level is celebrating his 50th birthday today. Pullela Gopichand, the second Indian player to win the All England Badminton Championship, is more famous as a coach than as a player. He is also called Dronacharya of badminton. He has made many great players of India stars.
Was fond of cricket in childhood
Pullela Gopichand was born on 16 November 1973 in Andhra Pradesh. He wanted to become a cricketer since childhood. He was very fond of cricket since his school days. But his brother inspired him to take up badminton. Apart from cricket, he was also good in badminton. Because of which his brother wanted him to create his own identity. Following the advice of his elder brother, he started working hard and practicing badminton. After which he also joined Prakash Padukone's BPL Prakash Padukone Academy.
Gopichand belonged to a middle class family. He used to play badminton with the money collected by his family so that he could make a career in this game. However, arranging money for his family was not so easy. He bought badminton with borrowed money and started playing. Many times he did not have money to go to the stadium but he did not lose courage.
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Have received many honors
Gopichand has won the National Championship five consecutive times from 1996 to 2000. At the same time, in 2001, he won the All England Badminton Championship and became the second player to do so. Let us tell you that before this Prakash Padukone had won this title in 1980. Gopichand has also received honors like Arjun Award, Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, Padmashree, Padma Bhusham. He also received the Dronacharya Award in the year 2009.
Home mortgage academy started
Gopichand decided to open a badminton academy for the coming generation. But he did not have that much money for this. Because of which he decided to mortgage his house in 2008 and started a badminton academy. This academy gave many stars to the country. Many brilliant players from Saina Nehwal to PV Sindhu became a part of his academy. These include names of players like Kidambi Srikanth, P Kashyap, Gurusai Dutt, Tarun Kona. He has also written a book named Shuttlers Flick.
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