India’s national chief coach Pullela Gopichand came forward to help coaches who have been affected financially by the current pandemic. India is under a nationwide lockdown for the fourth month in a row, many sports academies and stadiums remain closed.
Gopichand took part in an initiative called Run to the Moon program with the aim to help coaches who are experiencing financial problems.
“We are collecting a good amount of funds and will distribute them to the distressed coaches…It is a sensitive issue and they need to be handled with a lot of care,” he said through Telangana Today.
Gopichand said several issues have arisen. He said even the top-level players are facing financial issues as all the tournaments are stopped and no practice sessions either. He said that the long lockdown is a test of patience.
Gopichand also said that the current situation worldwide is a mental battle. He said, “ A simple message is: Take it as it comes. There could be a lot of speculation and under the circumstances, we have to be positive to overcome this crisis. More importantly, stay positive, stay safe and stay fit.” He said to think of the present and not the future as it is uncertain. Whenever the road clears up, we should be ready.