SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, Jan 17: “Budding players of Jharkhand and Bihar are talented enough at par with Hyderabad, Karnataka but low coaching skills are stumbling blocks to excel at the national level,” said national badminton team coach Sachin Rana.
Sachin Rana, in an exclusive talk with ‘ The Jharkhand Story’, said that the lack of a long-term sports development plan is also a major hurdle in the growth of both states’ players at the national fora.
“Traditional mindsets often view sports as a distraction rather than a legitimate career path, hindering enthusiasm and widespread participation,” he said,
Sachin Rana, who belongs to Jamshedpur and has toured almost all continents with different age group teams of India as a coach in international tournaments, said that the dearth of well-defined goals and fragmented approach are impeding the sustainable growth of players in the state.
Parental awareness and influence
“Limited parental awareness about the potential benefits of sports as a career choice results and their reluctance to encourage athletic pursuits also stands as one of the major hurdles of the Jharkhand badminton players and that nips in the bud their true potential.
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Imperfect Infrastructure
Sachin Rana, the first international badminton coach of Jharkhand, admitted that inadequate sports facilities and playing grounds not only restrict practice opportunities of players but also deter potential talent from emerging. “The poor maintenance of existing infrastructure further exacerbates these challenges, limiting the quality of training environments,” he said.
Low coaching skills and misguidance
Sachin Rana said the shortage of qualified coaches, exacerbated by limited training programs, hinders the development of players in Jharkhand–Bihar. “Coaches are lacking proper training themselves. Incorrect guidance of coach impedes the progress of budding talents,” he said.
Decision Timing
Sachin Rana said a delayed decision in identifying and nurturing talents results in missed opportunities for athletes to reach their full potential. Timely intervention is imperative for athlete’s development, from grassroots initiatives to elite levels.
Lack of External Support
“Non-governmental organizations and private sector units could play a pivotal role but there is insufficient support for sports programs. Limited corporate involvement in sponsoring sports events and initiatives restricts the financial backing crucial for sustained growth,” he said.
Weak financial status of State associations
Financial instability lands the state sports associations in a tight spot to organize events, support athletes and invest in grassroots development. A struggle to secure funding hampers the overall functioning and effectiveness of these associations.
