Indonesian coach Handoyo unlikely to return to India

Mulyo Handoyo left a few days ago from the Gopi Chand Academy in Hyderabad, where he had been an integral part of the long-term coaching programme which had a specific objective of helping India win a badminton gold at the 2020 Olympics.

Sources indicate that Mulyo Handoyo has already taken up an assignment as chief coach of Singapore.

Indonesian coach Mulyo Handoyo, whose services were roped in by the Sports Authority of India early this year, is unlikely to return to India and continue to assist chief national coach P. Gopi Chand, according to a senior official of the Badminton Association of India.

The BAI official, who was involved in the process of bringing Mulyo who coached the legendary Taufiuk Hidayat to Olympics gold, informed Sportstar that the Indonesian coach went home with the specific purpose of being with his family but it is almost clear that he has decided not to come back.

“Though officially, there is no communication as yet from Mulyo, it is obvious that he is not certainly in the mood to resume the duties,” the BAI official said. “In fact, from our information, he has already taken up the assignment as the chief coach of Singapore,” he added.

In fact, Mulyo Handoyo left a few days ago from the Gopi Chand Academy in Hyderabad, where he had been an integral part of the long-term coaching programme which had a specific objective of helping India win a badminton gold at the 2020 Olympics.

“This can be a major blow to India’s preparations for the major events lined up especially next year when the Commonwealth and the Asian Games are scheduled besides the Worlds and many Super Series as usual. For he played a significant role, particularly, in men’s singles players from India like K. Srikanth reaching a career-best run winning four Super Series titles,” the BAI official said.

“Though his training sessions were long and demanding, no one complained and actually enjoyed them. Many including Srikanth and P. V. Sindhu acknowledged Mulyo’s contribution to their success this year. It will be a huge task again for Gopi to focus on both men’s and women’s singles with such a hectic schedule ahead,” he said.

Interestingly, Saina Nehwal, returned to Gopi Chand’s academy after this year’s Worlds apparently because of Mulyo’s successful training programme.

Gopichand, who acknowledged Mulyo’s contribution, did not comment on the issue.