Thailand’s doubles specialist Bodin Isara has resorted to selling bread to make ends meet after seeing his income come to an abrupt halt due to the coronavirus pandemic, which has affected the lives and finances of the global population immensely.
With the badminton calendar being put on hold until July at least, almost every professional shuttler has seen their income affected, with no bonuses and potential prize winnings to look forward to.
Fortunately for the 29-year-old, his knack for pastries has turned into business and he is now peddling a mobile bakery that sells a variety of ham sausages, desserts and beverages.
The snacks are all priced between 22 to 55 baht (RM2 – RM7), but Bodin handed out complimentary buns to the entire Thai national team including head coach Rexy Mainaky at his stall’s opening ceremony.
"Sending items to VIP customers. Please share and follow," said the shuttler on his Instagram account with a picture of his goodies.
Bodin was remembered infamously for brawling with partner Maneepong Jongjit at the 2013 Canadian Open final, whom he chased around the court and landed several punches on.
The Bangkok-born received a two-year ban for his actions and expressed his remorse.
The pair have since reunited and are currently ranked 43rd.
Rexy, meanwhile, has been monitoring the progress of his players using a smart watch, to ensure they are keeping fit at home and not slacking off.
The national team shuttlers have been wearing the watch for several months now, so Rexy and his team can compare past data with the current one to ensure the players are keeping fit.
"The support team sends me reports of the players' progress, and how much they are pushing themselves. There are 10 of us in the coaching team and three physical trainers.
"I've appointed one coach to monitor each discipline, every coach must handle around 10 players so they can monitor their training with quality. If we leave it to only players, the intensity may not be 100 percent.
"It’s different if the coaches can monitor via video, and we can point out something. All coaches have been instructed to monitor their players," said Rexy.
