Latest news with #Gopichand
New Indian Express
17-05-2025
- Sport
- New Indian Express
What's the reasons behind Indian badminton's descent from the glory days?
Lack of structured training Back to May 2025. The youngsters still look half-cooked. On a few occasions, there seems to be a visible lack in strength and stamina because of which they cannot control rallies. End game seems weak and if a match lasts longer they seem exhausted, both mentally and physically. Like one expert had pointed out, a sport like badminton needs supremely fit players. The sport relies on fitness, strength and endurance to be precise and until and unless there is a structured programme, this cannot be achieved. It has to be groomed right from the grassroots through a systematic programme. So does India have such a programme? Strength and conditioning is an integral part of training in an aerobic sport like badminton. One doesn't have to go far. Take the example of Indian hockey. After the 2016 Rio Games, there was a systematic overhaul and one such focal point was fitness. That not only helped them with speed but with more endurance they lasted longer like Duracell batteries. In badminton, however, players train everywhere so monitoring needs to be stricter and robust. Like other federations because of SAI and other organisations and foundations top players don't lack a physio or a trainer like in the good old days. Undermining coaching plan? There have been occasions when parents became a tad overzealous while supporting their wards. There have been incidents when a few even accompany their wards with or without the knowledge of BAI or SAI. Some point towards the funds they have been getting from various sources. Sometimes, despite the BAI fixing the calendar in consultation with coaches, a few players find ways to participate without consulting the federation. There are allegations that parents or relatives morph as personal coaches and travel with players. This could seriously undermine the coaching system. The BAI and SAI's Target Olympic Scheme Division under the new Chief Executive Officer have been working towards restricting such unsavoury incidents. According to the latest directive by the sports ministry, only coaches who are part of the national camps should travel with teams/players. There have been instances when they also try to get their coaches in the system. Sometimes, they even hide injuries. It is a case of too many cooks spoiling the broth. With a multi-layered command system, there's bound to be confusion. Back in those days there was one Gopichand or Vimal. But now who decides for players? The chief national coach, the BAI or other individuals and foundations connected with the players? Roles need to be defined for better accountability and hope BAI is doing it. Nurturing youngsters is always tricky. They need to be monitored constantly and brought up with care. Deciding competition for players also is critical and should fall in the domain of chief coach or High Performance Director. It is understood that there are ambiguities here as well. The roles of foreign coaches too were foggy last year. But the SAI and BAI have formed a policy wherein a coach hired for a team will remain with the team and not turn into an individual coach. For Indian badminton to rise from ashes, a lot of things have to fall in place.
India.com
17-05-2025
- Business
- India.com
Meet Gopichand Hinduja, UK's richest man who topped The Sunday Times Rich List for fourth time in a row, his net worth is Rs..., business is...
Gopichand Hinduja and his family have once again topped The Sunday Times Rich List as the richest in the UK, even though their total wealth dipped a bit this year. Their current net worth is estimated at 35.3 billion British Pound, slightly lower than 37.2 billion British Pound last year. Gopichand, often called 'GP' in the business world, became the chairman of the Hinduja Group after the passing of his elder brother, Srichand Hinduja, in May 2023. Who is Gopichand Hinduja? Gopichand Hinduja is the head of the Hinduja Group and Hinduja Automotive Ltd in the UK. He is part of the second generation of the Hinduja family and began working in the family business back in 1959 in Mumbai. Over the decades, he played a major role in turning the company from a small trading business focused on India and the Middle East into a massive international group operating across various industries. One of the group's big milestones came in 1984 when they bought Gulf Oil. Just three years later, they acquired Ashok Leyland, a well-known Indian vehicle manufacturer. This move was one of the first big investments in India by a Non-Resident Indian (NRI)-led business. Gopichand studied at Jai Hind College in Mumbai and later received honorary doctorates in law and economics from universities in London. The Hinduja Empire The Hinduja Group, headquartered in Mumbai, is now a global giant with businesses in banking, finance, energy, media, automotive, lubricants, and cable TV. Despite economic ups and downs, under Gopichand's leadership, the family continues to hold strong influence and success in both Indian and global markets. The global legacy of the Hinduja Group: From Sindh to London's elite The Hinduja Group, which now employs nearly 200,000 people worldwide, has a long history that began over a century ago. It was founded in 1919 by Parmanand Deepchand Hinduja, who moved from Sindh (then part of India, now in Pakistan) to Iran in search of business opportunities. After decades of successful trade and expansion in the Middle East, the group shifted its base to London in 1979, where it continues to thrive as one of the most powerful business families in the UK. A Fortune built on real estate and global investments The Hinduja family's business empire now includes an impressive portfolio of properties. Among their most prized assets is the historic Old War Office building in London's Whitehall. The iconic structure was transformed into the luxurious Raffles London hotel, which opened in September 2023 with much celebration. According to Forbes, they also own Carlton House Terrace, a prestigious location close to Buckingham Palace. Family across continents While Gopichand Hinduja manages the global operations from London, his younger brother Prakash resides in Monaco. The youngest of the siblings, Ashok Hinduja, oversees the group's interests and operations in India from Mumbai. Together, the brothers have continued to build on the legacy started by their father, turning the Hinduja name into a symbol of global business success.
Hindustan Times
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Jaat director Gopichand Malineni says Vijay left his project as he was ‘pressured' to pick Tamil director for last film
Telugu director Gopichand Malineni recently debuted in Bollywood with the Sunny Deol-starrer Jaat. But he revealed in a Telugu One interview that before that, he was supposed to do a Kollywood film with actor Vijay instead. He also claims that despite liking his script, Vijay was 'pressured' to pick a Tamil director for his final project. (Also Read: Vijay's security pulls out a gun as fan tries to get close to actor at airport; internet calls it 'scary'. Watch) Vijay will contest in the Tamil Nadu elections, and the H Vinoth-directed Jana Nayagan is touted to be his last film. Gopichand was asked if it's true that he approached Chiranjeevi for a film after Veera Simha Reddy's (2023) success and that it didn't pan out. The director instead revealed that he approached Vijay, stating, 'Immediately after Veera Simha Reddy, I wrote a story and narrated it to Vijay. He liked it so much that he approved it in one sitting.' However, Gopichand claims that because he had already done Varisu (2023) with a Telugu director, Vamshi Paidipally, he was 'pressured' to pick a Tamil filmmaker. 'He was ready to announce it. But because this would become his last film before entering politics, his people pressured him to opt for a Tamil director rather than a Telugu one. He had already done Varisu with a Telugu director, so they did not want him to work with a Telugu director again so soon.' He said that after Vijay backed out of the film, the director wanted to cast Ravi Teja for the role, but that hasn't panned out yet either. Vijay's upcoming film Jana Nayagan After the 2024 film The Greatest of All Time by Venkat Prabhu, all eyes were on Vijay's final project after he announced his political party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). His final film, Jana Nayagan, stars Vijay, Pooja Hegde and Bobby Deol in the lead roles, alongside Gautham Vasudev Menon, Prakash Raj, Narain, Priyamani, Mamitha Baiju, Monisha Blessy and Varalaxmi Sarathkumar. It is slated for release on January 9, 2026.
The Hindu
02-05-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
‘Academics and sports should go hand in hand'
Take any sport. Only 1% make it to the top and even less make it to a podium finish. The remaining 99% — although they endure similar tough regimes including personal hardships, gruelling fitness and skill sessions — soon fade into oblivion. What happens to them, what do they do for a living, do they ever make it to the podium? Those were the leading questions that Woxsen University-led collaboration, including ace sportspersons representing their private sports academies, discussed here on Friday. They also formally announced their partnership and believed they have the answers, in the 'marriage' of academics and sports. 'In India, people often go to extremes—it's either all about academics, like starting IIT coaching in Class 6, or all about sports with education completely ignored. What about the 99% (sportspeople who don't succeed), or even who succeed in sport, how do they exit and manage a good life after sport? We need mentorships, exit points, sports and education at every level. Together we are trying to address this problem,' said Pullela Gopichand, India's chief national badminton coach. For former Indian cricketer and retired senior selector of the national cricket team, MSK Prasad, who endorses Gopichand's philosophy, 'Sports is about the attitude to keep fighting, it's not about physical activity. The process will make the champion; we will address that.' Also sharing the common vision was Olympian and long jumper Anju Bobby George. Academics and sports should go hand in hand. This platform is for those 99% who can take up alternative pathways and go on to make podium finishes in their careers, they agreed. The academies owned by Mr. Gopichand, Mr. Prasad and Ms. George, as part of the MoU, will partner with WU, where a sports science centre with sports biomechanics for technical skill and physical conditioning is set up. According to sports science company, SixS Sports, the chief collaborator, the partnership signals a new era of athlete development, combining education, biomechanics, mental training, and elite mentorship. The other collaborators were WU vice-president Raul V. Rodriguez, SixS Sports CEO Antony Chacko, Sporthood co-founder Arun V. Nair, Executive Chairman Bangarra Group Anil Nair, Gaurav Sharma of Physio Karma and Ritesh Goud of Samyuktha School.
Hindustan Times
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Sunny Deol was roped in for Jaat after this Tollywood actor declined it, reveals director
Actor Sunny Deol's Jaat, directed by Tollywood director Gopichand Malineni in his maiden Bollywood film, was initially pitched to another actor. In an interview with TeluguOne, he revealed that he initially pitched the film to Nandamuri Balakrishna, who turned it down. (Also Read: Balakrishna roped in for a crucial role in Rajinikanth-Nelson Dilipkumar's Jailer 2; everything we know) Gopichand was asked about the stories he pitched to Balakrishna, given that they will work together again after their 2023 hit Veera Simha Reddy. When asked if it's true he pitched something else to Balakrishna initially before their 2023 hit, he hesitantly said, 'Yes, it's a different story. Actually, the first story I thought of is now Jaat,' confirming that Sunny was not the first one he pitched it to. Gopichand then explained why he did not do the film with Balakrishna and said, 'I had two to three stories actually for Balayya babu. After Akhanda, people had high expectations of him. And, of course, he knew that. I initially pitched him an idea, and he liked it. But after Akhanda was released, he thought it would be better if we did a faction film. I am a huge fan of Samarasimha Reddy and Narasimha Naidu, so we made Veera Simha Reddy.' However, the director seemed more than happy to pivot from Balakrishna to Sunny for the project because he expressed happiness about how the film was received in the north. He said that he visited theatres and watched people dancing to the title song that rolls during the end credits. Gopichand also claimed that the film was received well because it was a 'south-style film' with a hero from the north. Also starring Randeep Hooda and Regena Cassandrra, Jaat tells the story of a mysterious stranger who decides to help a village reeling under oppression. According to Sacnilk, the film has collected over ₹85.65 crore net in India and ₹115.10 crore worldwide since its release on April 10.
