Former Malaysian shuttler Hafiz Hashim is delighted at the prospect of coaching India’s top women’s singles star P. V. Sindhu on a full-time basis.
Sindhu, who is already training with Hafiz on a part-time basis at the Suchitra Badminton Academy, wrote to the Sports Authority of India (SAI) asking for the Malaysian to be appointed on a full-time basis under the Target Olympic Podium Scheme.
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“As a coach, this is what I want. It is a big step forward in my career, and I’m very proud. Once we get clearance from SAI, we will train at Suchitra twice a week, and then the remaining sessions will be at the Gachibowli Stadium, 40 minutes from where we are.
“Sindhu is a high level professional, she is disciplined and committed. These qualities make it easier to work with her. If all goes well, it will be a new challenge for me to help Sindhu qualify for the Olympics, and later aim for gold,” Hafiz told New Straits Times.
The prospect of Hafiz charting Sindhu’s path to the Olympics full-time looks bright, with the Indian shuttler given verbal assurance that her request would be granted as the SAI internal committee is set to deliberate on the request in a week’s time.
The world number 12 is known to be enjoying working with the 2003 All England men's singles champion, who is also set to accompany her to South Korea and Japan for BWF World Tour tournaments next month.
The 2016 Olympic silver medalist is desperate for a turn in fortunes after suffering a spate of early exits this year, with her best result coming at the Spain Masters in March with a runner-up finish.
