Indian badminton star PV Sindhu has strengthened her coaching team ahead of her return to competitive play at the Finland Open and Denmark Open in October 2024. After recently appointing Anup Sridhar as interim coach, she has now added former South Korean badminton legend Lee Hyun Il as a consulting coach. This new coaching setup comes after the end of Coach Agus Dwi Santoso’s contract with the Sports Authority of India (SAI). Looking to optimize her training, Sindhu is seeking a coach who can engage in sparring and contribute to her daily regimen, making the current arrangement with Sridhar and Lee a temporary one until December 2024.
Lee Hyun Il, a former World No. 1 and Sindhu’s teammate during the Premier Badminton League (PBL), brings extensive international experience and is known for his meticulous preparation. His inclusion, alongside Sridhar, creates a coaching team that blends tactical expertise and deep badminton knowledge. Both will play key roles in preparing Sindhu for her upcoming European tournaments as she embarks on her post-Olympic journey.
Expressing her enthusiasm for the new additions to her team, Sindhu said:
“I’m thrilled to have Anup and Lee Hyun Il joining my team in this crucial period. Anup’s understanding of Indian badminton and his strategic approach have always impressed me, and I look forward to working closely with him. Having Lee, with his meticulous preparation and legendary experience, is an honor. I’ve always respected his attention to detail, and I can’t wait to learn from him during these next few months.”
Lee Hyun Il also shared his excitement about joining Sindhu’s team, stating:
“Working with PV Sindhu was an easy decision. Our previous partnership in the PBL highlighted her fierce determination and exceptional talent, and I am excited to contribute to her growth and success in the upcoming tournaments.”
This reshuffling marks a pivotal moment for Sindhu as she refocuses on her performance post-Paris 2024 Olympics. The interim coaching arrangement is expected to last until the end of 2024, with a permanent decision anticipated by December.
Sindhu also took a moment to acknowledge her former coach, Agus Dwi Santoso, whose guidance was critical during her Olympic preparation. She said:
“I truly appreciate Coach Agus for all the effort he invested in preparing me for the Olympics. His hard work and commitment were instrumental in getting me back from injury and ready for competition. He became more than just a coach; he became a friend and a guide. I will miss those early morning training sessions with him and will always look up to him. I will also greatly miss that typical Indonesian energy that made three-hour training sessions more fun, as well as our chats after matches and long chants on flights. Any athlete who works with him will be lucky to have such a dedicated coach. In his own words before every serve, and a lesson I will always carry in life: ‘Always ready. No. 2 return serve, Sindhu!!!’ ‘Ready, coach! Always ready!!'”
SAI-deputed coach Vidhi Chowdary will continue to provide support during this transition period. With this bolstered coaching team, Sindhu is gearing up for a strong comeback on the global badminton stage.