PANAJI
In a significant move to standardise coaching across the country, the Badminton Association of India (BAI), in collaboration with REC Limited and the Sports Authority of India (SAI), has launched the first-ever BWF Level 1 coaching course in Goa.
This course, alongside BAI Level 1 (Advanced) training, marks a key step in BAI’s ongoing efforts to upskill grassroots coaches and promote the transition of former top players into coaching roles after their playing careers.
The course began in Goa on January 27 (till February 2), and will continue in Raipur from February 4-10 and in Guwahati from February 12-18. Supported by REC Limited and SAI, these coaching sessions aim to raise the standard of badminton training across India and ensure a consistent level of coaching from grassroots to elite levels.
State associations have been invited to nominate one male and one female coach, aged 25-45, who have represented their state in National or Zonal championships and have at least three years of coaching experience.
BAI Secretary General Sanjay Mishra stressed the importance of this initiative, saying, “For the last few years, BAI has been working toward creating a standardised coaching structure to ensure that every player in the country gets the same quality of coaching from the grassroots to elite level.
"Having successfully conducted the grassroots coaches’ courses last year, it was a natural progress to now conduct the BWF Level 1 and BAI Level 1 (Advanced) courses to upskill the coaches further.”
Last year, BAI launched its Grassroots Coaches Training Programme, training 250 coaches across 112 days. These coaches learned from experts in various fields, including sports psychology, nutrition, physiotherapy, and the impact of menstruation on women in sports.
Only coaches who earned Grade A in the Grassroots Coaches Courses are eligible for the BAI Level 1 (Advanced) courses, which will be held in Raipur and Guwahati in the coming weeks, continuing BAI's commitment to enhancing India's badminton coaching ecosystem.
