Vimal Kumar: Saina has maintained her focus on badminton

Saina hasn’t been distracted by her relationship with fellow shuttler P. Kashyap, according to the former national coach.

There are reports Saina Nehwal (in picture) will tie the knot with P. Kashyap in December, 2018.

Saina Nehwal has done well not to allow her relationship with fellow shuttler P. Kashyap affect her game, former national badminton coach Vimal Kumar has said.

For Saina, “the priority was sport,” according to Kumar, who trained Saina for three years. Under him, besides becoming the top-ranked female shuttler in April, 2015, Saina clinched the silver medal at the World Championship.

“I knew about their relationship. One good thing about it is, Saina managed it very well. She did not get distracted with it. Her priority was sport and she gave [her] hundred percent to it,” he told PTI at the Padukone-Dravid Centre for Sports Excellence here.

“Normally, such attractions and relationships among teens are a great distraction, but Saina drew inspiration from it and reached many milestones in her career,” he added.

Kumar was happy to learn about Saina and Kashyap tieing the knot as he has known them for a long time. He advised Kashyap to switch to coaching after marriage; however, Saina would continue playing for a couple of years more, he expects.