Badminton has emerged as one of India’s most successful sports on the international stage, yet it continues to face financial challenges, particularly for coaches and support staff. Arun Vishnu, a prominent doubles coach in India, has decided to step down from his coaching role, citing financial reasons as the primary factor behind his difficult decision.
“It has been an incredibly rewarding journey, watching the pair grow from being underdogs to being among the top contenders in women’s doubles,” Arun said, reflecting on the progress of Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand, who recently achieved the remarkable feat of entering the Top 10 rankings. He continued, “Though I won’t be part of their future matches, I am proud to have played a small role in their success.” Arun had worked closely with the duo, providing mentorship and guidance that helped elevate them to a world-class level.
Financial Pressures Push Arun to Quit Coaching
The 36-year-old coach, originally from Calicut, has been an integral part of India’s badminton coaching system. However, despite his dedication and success, he found it increasingly difficult to meet the financial needs of his family with the income from coaching alone.
“Leaving the high-level coaching role is tough, but when you have responsibilities to fulfill at home, there’s little choice,” Arun admitted. As the financial demands of his family grew, it became clear that sustaining his career as a coach while balancing his home life was no longer feasible.
Arun’s journey in coaching began at the grassroots level, but his decision to quit coaching at the highest level is driven by the necessity to provide for his loved ones.
New Beginnings: Arun’s Academy in Nagpur
While stepping away from the national badminton scene, Arun is not leaving the sport behind. He plans to launch a new badminton academy in Nagpur, where he hopes to nurture talent and contribute to the development of the sport at the grassroots level. He explained:
“Nagpur is rich in talent, but the infrastructure for badminton development is lacking. I intend to change that by offering proper training to the youth, encouraging them to develop both their singles and doubles skills until they are 17,” Arun said, outlining his vision for the new setup. His move to Nagpur was also motivated by personal reasons—Arun was about to become a father for the second time, and the responsibility of caring for his family weighed heavily on him.
With this shift, Arun hopes to create an environment that fosters both singles and doubles play, providing a well-rounded foundation for young players in the region.
The Stark Pay Discrepancy: Indian Coaches vs. Foreign Coaches
Arun also shed light on the stark financial disparity between Indian coaches and their foreign counterparts. He pointed out that foreign coaches are often paid significantly higher salaries, making it difficult for local coaches to sustain themselves and their families.
“The pay gap is immense. Foreign coaches are compensated generously, while Indian coaches often struggle with much lower salaries,” Arun shared, emphasizing the financial challenges faced by local coaching talent. Foreign coaches are reportedly paid between $8,000-$10,000, while Indian coaches are often underpaid, despite their expertise and contribution to the development of badminton in the country.
Arun emphasized the need for better financial backing for Indian coaches if the country hopes to retain and develop its coaching talent.
“In order to retain top-quality coaches, we need to ensure they are financially supported. Otherwise, the future of Indian badminton development will be at risk,” he concluded, urging for changes to the financial structure within Indian badminton.
Looking Forward: The Future of Indian Badminton
Despite stepping away from top-level coaching, Arun’s commitment to the sport remains strong. His new venture in Nagpur aims to build a solid foundation for future badminton stars, while also ensuring his family’s well-being. Arun’s decision shines a light on the financial challenges faced by coaches in India, a situation that needs to be addressed if the sport is to continue growing at the international level.