Big News for Badminton Enthusiasts!

The Singapore Badminton Association (SBA) announced on Monday, January 20, that it is poised to bring on board India's esteemed Anup Sridhar as the new singles coach for the national badminton team, pending successful employment pass approval.

Sridhar, a former top-ranked singles player and a captain of India's Thomas Cup team in 2006 and 2008, is well-respected in the badminton community. He has previously coached notable athletes, including rising star Lakshya Sen and Olympic medalist PV Sindhu. His vast experience and analytical approach to coaching are anticipated to be key assets as he joins under the guidance of South Korean coach Kim Ji-hyun, who will remain the head coach for both the men's and women's singles teams.

Diversity in Coaching Team

David Tan, SBA's vice-president of business development and communications, highlighted the necessity of diversifying the coaching team to cater to athletes across different skill levels and developmental stages: “Our national team is made up of players at different development stages and world-ranking levels, and therefore have different coaching, training, and competition needs.”

The SBA had opened the search for an additional singles coach to strengthen its coaching capabilities. Sridhar's application stood out, particularly due to his ability to conduct detailed assessments of players, which will greatly benefit the national squad. “His in-depth comprehensive analysis of the strengths and shortcomings of many top players on tour will be most useful to our national team,” added Tan.

Strategic Transitions in Coaching Staff

Looking ahead, the SBA is making significant transitions within its coaching staff. Last October, it was revealed that Kelvin Ho is set to take over as the singles head coach starting in 2025, after having played a pivotal role in developing former world champion Loh Kean Yew. Ho’s appointment opened up two positions for men’s and women’s singles head coaches, a situation that Kim has adeptly navigated by stepping into the women's role last November while first acting as interim men's coach.

Kim Ji-hyun's impressive track record includes coaching the national teams of India, South Korea, and Thailand, and she played a crucial role in Sindhu's remarkable victory at the 2019 World Championships. With Sridhar's extensive background and proven coaching prowess, the Singapore badminton team is clearly gearing up for a bright future on the international stage.

A Bright Future Ahead

This strategic hire raises the bar for Singaporean badminton as the SBA not only seeks to enhance performance but also aims to build a stronger foundation for its athletes heading toward future competitions. Stay tuned for more updates on how this new coaching duo will influence Singapore's badminton aspirations!