Prakash Padukone mentoring Saina Nehwal will help: U Vimal Kumar

Former national coach and director of Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy (PPBA) in Bangalore, U Vimal Kumar, clarified on Tuesday that there was no split between Saina Nehwal and P Gopichand as reported in a section of the media.

Saina arrived in Bangalore on Tuesday to train at the PPBA as part of her preparation for the Asian Games slated later this month.

Speaking to dna, Kumar said: "There is absolutely no split between Gopichand and Saina. Gopichand and I had a talk and our intention was to bring her in the right mental state and to help her. She has just come for a short stint. It is basically for the Asian Games."

Kumar added: "It is about mentoring and helping Saina. With Prakash (Padukone) also being here and the different experiences he had in Denmark as world No. 1, him talking to Saina will help her a lot. Also, a change in environment will be good for her."

Elaborating on the need for a change in environment, Kumar said: "Small change always helps. A player goes through these phases. That way, she just wants to give it a try for 15 days. Unnecessarily, it was projected in a poor way."

Kumar said that Saina had an hour's session on her first day in Bangalore. "She just wanted to play. She is a very intense girl. At PPBA, we are trying to help her in getting back to winning ways. She is a tough girl and is prepared to work. She needs some small direction. As we talk, we will be able to analyse better. Her work ethics are very good."

Kumar said that for players at the highest level like Saina, world No. 7 and who exited in the quarterfinals of last week's World Championships in Copenhagen, individual attention is needed.

"It becomes tough on Gopichand also. At that level, players need individual attention and sparring (partners), which is very tough. Gopi also needs help. More coaches are required considering the number of players coming up."

Kumar has worked with Saina before in her early years when he was the national coach and also as recently at the Thomas and Uber Cup where India won bronze for the first time in the women's event. "At Saina's highest level, this sort of small change and Prakash talking to her will help. That's what we can hope for," Kumar concluded.