PANAJI: Goa Badminton Association (GBA) conducted a two-day advanced coaching and training session for badminton trainees under the guidance of Utsav Mishra, Coach for India Senior team (Core group) and Technical Advisor of PBL Team ‘Awadhe Warriors’.
Around 35 advanced trainees attended the sessions held at Indoor stadium, Campal, here in collaboration with Sports Authority of Goa. Mishra was assisted by GBA coaches Gosh Mohammad Nadaf, Shridhar Gosavi and Avdhut Saptoji.
“We had two days of intense training where the experience of Utsav Mishra, a former India International player, helped to finetune the strokes of our players. What was interesting about these sessions was how he made the trainees push beyond their limits and realise their potential. The sessions were lively and energetic with focus on footwork, speed, agility and multi-shuttle drills. A change from the routine is always good to keep the motivation going and we have planned to organise more of such programmes with outstation coaches at regular intervals, which will complement the growth of our players,” said GBA Secretary, Sandeep Heble.
Coach Utsav Mishra who has trained with players such as P V Sindhu, Saina Nehwal and Lakshya Sen in India camps in the past, said: “It was a pleasure to work with the Goa trainees who have lot of potential. The facilities here in Goa are excellent, but hostel facilities are missing and need to be created. In academies, good players come from different States and locations from across the Country. They learn from one another by watching and training with each other. For a player to rise, the competitive field has to be there along with dedicated coaching sessions. We need to create such an ecosystem where players can rise and reach National and International levels by training in Goa and do not need to go to outstation academies. I am happy that Association is taking steps to boost the game and the sport has started growing.” GBA President, Narahar Thakur and secretary, Sandeep Heble graced the camp closing event.
