Tan Kim Her: Man behind the rise of the Indian Doubles

 Tan Kim Her, the Malaysian coach who had previously coached for various countries - Korea, England, and Malaysia - is the doubles coach of the India national badminton team, reveals his plans, strategy and ideology in an exclusive interview with the gobadminton.in at the ongoing BWF Super 100 Hyderabad Open at the G.M.C. Balayogi Stadium, Gachibowli, Hyderabad.

How do you think Doubles landscape in India has been transformed since your appointment?

I’m impressed with the Indian badminton in India. Thanks to Gopichand (Pullela).

But the system here is not right and not well organised in terms of selection of Doubles partner; players themselves choose their tournaments.

It took three months for me to analyse about the system here before conceding. Then I had a vision of bringing the Indian Doubles to an international level.

Later I spoke to the players before starting their fitness regimen and training sessions. The most important part is Indian players are extremely professional and they have a binding trust on me and follow my guidance religiously.

Possibilities of Indian Doubles at the upcoming Japan Open 2018?

Apart from Pranaav and Sikki, who reached the Semi-Finals at the last edition’s Japan Open, I’m confident that other doubles will definitely get through the main rounds - as the qualifier starts next year - at the Olympics 2020; I want them to go there and participate.

Usually, I follow this method for the Indian players; firstly selection of partners, secondly choosing the tournaments for them, thirdly keeping a track of the ranks. But now, I want the consistency, which is very important. I want them to reach at least the Quarter-Finals at every tournament they participate in, till the Olympics 2020, which helps with the consistency.

And, of course that’s not easy to reach the round-of-8.

I leave it to them. If they are mentally strong apart from their training and fitness, then it definitely will lead them to the podium.

What are the changes you noticed in Indians in terms of the quality of the players comparing with Europeans and Koreans?

I have trained various countries such as Korea, England, and Malaysia in the doubles discipline. Different nations obey differently; Koreans are very disciplined, Englishmen are very professional like Indians.

It depends on the body structure and from which country they are. Satwik(sairaj Rankireddy)/Chirag (Shetty) and Arjun M.R./Ramachandran Shlok are different in regards of height and body type. So definitely, there would be a change in the game style.

Can we expect the increase in the Doubles count at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics?

My responsibility in India is till 2020 Olympics. My aim is to make the existing contingent stronger than concentrating on the increase in the number of the Doubles players, so that they can at least end at the podium.

Gopichand (Pullela) and I need to plan together, work on the schedule and the selection of the contingent and their respective training sessions. With this, we are sure that we will achieve it.

If I stay longer, I would plan the development.

Any message to the emerging Indian Doubles?

I want to do something for the Indian Doubles, as I’m aiming big. That’s not so easy to get everything into the place.

I always say, “Don’t lose the hope. Never give up.”

I want them and their parents to understand that Doubles is also a quintessential part of badminton.