Badminton: Hyderabad’s Sumeeth Reddy calls time on career

Known for his free and frank opinions, Sumeeth Reddy has decided to quit the sport formally and focus on coaching doubles

Hyderabad: Some of the best names in Indian badminton are not known to announce formal retirements even though it is obvious given the way they stay away from the competitive circuit for different reasons.

But, B Sumeeth Reddy, always known for his free and frank opinions and one who has his own three coaching centres, including Sikki-Sumeeth Sports Centre in the City, has decided to quit the sport formally and focus on coaching doubles.

---

“RETIRED AND PROUD. Embracing the next chapter with gratitude and excitement. I thank my family, friends and well-wishers for all the support,” Sumeeth wrote in an Instagram post.

“Well, I am ok with some of the trainees at my own Academy in Hyderabad making it really good at the national level like Lyosha and Abhishek. But I am keen to take my dreams beyond the borders and make a mark in doubles coaching on the international circuit,” Sumeeth said in a chat with ‘Telangana Today’ on Monday.

“I am already on the job, starting with the India Open, then to All England and the Swiss Open now. The ultimate dream is to produce Olympic medallists in doubles. And, given the talent available, I am sure that day is not far off,” said Sumeeth who says winning the 2015 Mexico International doubles, making it to 2016 Rio Olympics doubles with Manu Attri and the 2022 CWG team medal partnering Ashwini Ponappa in mixed doubles were some of the high-points of his career.

Known for his honest expression of thoughts, Sumeeth, Inspector in Income Tax Department, said that he was not a great talent and a slow learner, but no one could find fault when it came to slogging it out there on the courts for hours.

“Looking back, the back injury in 2011 when I was Junior India No. 1 and Senior India No. 5, was a huge blow to my career. The long injury break forced me to look at doubles on the advice of Gopi Anna,” he said, looking back at his two-decade-long playing career.

With wife Sikki Reddy, herself an acknowledged women’s doubles player from India, lending complete support to his plan of action, Sumeeth clearly wants to make it big as a coach.

“Well, if the BAI plans to hire some of us as coaches, it would be a great fillip to my dreams and aspirations,” he signed off.