‘Thank you for doubles coach, now let him be the sole decision maker’

Hyderabad: Top women's doubles shuttler Jwala Gutta on Thursday welcomed the appointment of reputed doubles coach Kim Tan Her but said the Malaysian should be the sole decision maker and there should not be any interference from anybody.

"It's (appointment of doubles coach) a good thing for Indian badminton. But, I only wish that he should be the sole decision maker. Nobody else should interfere with his decisions for doubles. If that happens, that will be good for doubles in the country," Jwala said.

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Jwala's partner Ashwini Ponnappa also gave a thumbs up to the decision of Badminton Association of India (BAI) to rope in the experienced Kim Tan Her.

"I think it's a huge boost for us as doubles players. It's going to be really helpful. We are looking forward to it," Ashwini said.

Four years ago, 2010 Commonwealth Games champions Jwala and Ashwini had broken a 28-year-old medal drought for India by winning the bronze at the World Championship in London and the celebrated pair is now gearing up for the prestigious event at Indonesia, where they will enter as seeded pairs.

"I think we are the first (Indian) women doubles pair ever to be seeded (in world championship), so I am really excited on entering the tournament on a high. I am very happy about it," Jwala said.

The 2011 Glasgow Commonwealth Games silver medallists received a boost ahead of the World Championship after they clinched the Canada Open Grand Prix in June.

Read: Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa likely to get Target Olympic Podium nod

Jwala, who trains with Dronacharya awardee S M Arif here, said their preparation for the upcoming event has been good.

"It's been good. I went to Bangalore to train with Ashwini for a few days. We have had a couple of good sessions.

Echoing Jwala's feelings, Ashwini said their aim is to win a medal though they would like to take it step by step.

"The preparations have been good. Jwala and I did manage to get a couple of sessions together, which is really good again. Our expectation is obviously to do really well and win a medal. We are going to represent the country at world championships and the aim is to get past the first round and take it step by step," Ashwini said.

Recently, Jwala and Ashwini had expressed their disappointment at not being included in the TOP scheme, which led to a controversy and chief national coach Pullela Gopichand also had to clarify his stand against the outburst.

Jwala and Ashwini, who are ranked world number 12 in the women's doubles category, said they are yet to get official intimation about being included in the Target Olympic Podium (TOP) scheme.

"We have not been intimated officially. So, we are still waiting for the intimation. If it happens, it's good. We still need to get the official intimation. It's all through media. We don't know anything," Jwala said.

Jwala, who represented India at the 2012 Olympics in women's doubles and mixed doubles, said she is hopeful of being included in the TOP scheme.

"I am hopeful. I have always been hopeful. I am a very positive person actually. Even if it does not happen, it would not stop us from playing," she said.