KATHMANDU: The Badminton Asia Confederation (BAC) head coach Sankar Annamalai is busy giving his expertise to the Nepali shuttlers selected for the 11th South Asian Games starting from January 28 in Dhaka.

After spending seven days with the shuttlers, Annamalai is steadying the ship during his 16-day stay in Nepal. The 40-year old Malaysian is not in the position to pick the medal hopeful players but says he is satisfied to see the eagerness in them.

“These youngsters seem to be serious with the sport and are very keen to give their best,” said the coach. The Nepali shuttlers are lucky to have a coach like Annamalai who helped Sri Lanka secure their first Olympics badminton berth in Beijing. “I trained the Lankans for a whole year and It was really satisfying when one of them earned a place at the Beijing Olympics,” said the former Malaysian international.

The Nepali shuttlers have started feeling changes in their playing style and, most importantly, it is his expert training which is helping bring out confidence in them. “Our reach to the cork have been more flexible and the stamina have increased after Annamalai stepped in. He gives us an on-court coaching and helps point out our mistakes precisely,” said Sujana Shrestha, one of the experienced players in the young Nepali camp. Before Annamalai’s arrival, the shuttlers were trained regularly by the chief badminton coach Udaya Shrestha.

Sujana — participant in the 10th edition of the regional meet — and Sara Devi Tamang — participant in the ninth and 10th edition — are the only experienced players in the squad apart from the former Nepal No 1 Puja Shrestha. Sabina Panthi, Punam Gurung and Nangsala Devi Tamang will be playing their first regional meet.

Coach Annamalai said the Nepali women can put a competitive show in Dhaka. “Before I came to Nepal, I trained in Maldives and the women there were not so good compared to the women here. We can expect medals from them,” said Annamalai who have been coaching shuttlers around the world for 20 years. The biggest achievement for Nepal in the SA Games was the bronze medal finish for Sumina Shrestha in the 10th edition in Sri Lanka except for the team event bronze in the ninth and 10th edition.

All the men — Bishal Pradhan, Sahadev Khadka, Ratnajeet Tamang, Bikash Shrestha, Sajan Krishna Tamrakar and Kishore Rana — will be playing their maiden regional meet. However, the young sensations, Sajan and Ratnajeet have participated in the World Junior Championships and Asian Junior Championships last year. Considering the tough opponents in the regional meet, Annamalai is reluctant to talk about the men’s team but he sees a good prospect in them.

“I evaluated these boys during the World and Asian Championships and found them keen in the sport. Given the good facilities and regular trainings, good players can be developed from within these sets of players,” said Annamalai, who will be leaving for his home town on January 27.