Here’s how Rahul Dravid played a part in Kidambi Srikanth’s success

Amidst the Indian women making the country proud on the 22 yards in England, Indian ace shuttler Kidambi Srikanth grabbed headlines. Srikanth won two Superseries titles on the trot — Indonesia Open and Australian Open, both within a gap of seven days, which is no mean feat. While most of us are already aware of the role his coach Pullela Gopichand played in the shuttler’s success, not many would know former Indian captain Rahul Dravid’s connection with Kidambi’s success.

The Hyderabad-based badminton player had received mentorship from Dravid in the build up to the Tokyo Olympics 2020. The 24-year-old reached the finals of three consecutive Badminton Super Series final, out of which he won two. He has also won the Indian Open in 2015 and China Open in 2014. Since 2012, the youngster is supported under Rahul Dravid Athlete Mentorship programme and also received the personal guidance from Dravid, reported Extratime.in

The Indian legend heads the Bangalore-based GoSports Foundation, which has supported the shuttler. The foundation organises funds for all his needs – travel funds, playing gear, the equipments, personal physiotherapy, fitness trainer and nutritional needs. It also sponsors many other Olympic and Paralympic aspirants. Srikanth’s next big assignment will be the World Championships at Glasgow in August and Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

They will continue to sponsor all of the player’s needs at the Gopichand Academy. He will also be given mentorship for his mental conditioning to prepare for the road and challenges ahead.

Sponsored many athletes 

The foundation’s board of advisors are Olympic gold medalist Abhinav Bindra, Rahul Dravid and All England Badminton Champion Pullela Gopichand. It aims at supporting talent which can go a long way and make the country proud.

Other famous athletes who got support from the foundation are Olympic gymnast Dipa Karmakar, Olympic Weightlifter Satish Kumar, and Paralympic gold medallist Devendra Jhajharia among many others.