Visualise your success, extols Gopichand

There are no shortcuts to success. What I am talking to you today is not something that I read in books, but practical lessons that I drew from my personal experiences.”

Those pearls of wisdom were lobbed by Pullela Gopichand, the Chief national badminton, while delivering a motivational speech to the awe-struck employees of CDK Global in the city on Thursday.

An assemblage of 400 persons, including from the company’s Pune office, listened in rapt attention when the man, who produced two Olympic medallists and several internationals, shared his experiences as a player and coach.

The mentor spoke about the trials and tribulations of his journey, which includes a career high in the form of the 2001 All England title triumph.

“My route was tough. I had my share of injuries, particularly the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL). Nobody recovers easily from that kind of injuries. But, I bounced back,” Gopichand said.

“Another lesson that I learnt was to visualise success. I went to the Olympics with that thought in mind. But, I could not do anything great.

Once bitten twice shy, I went to subsequent tournaments without any expectations and I won. I was tested for my endurance.

Finally, I got what I had aspired for. This taught me that you get success not when you want it, but when you deserve it,” he said.

The veteran also shared difficulties he faced when he was setting up the academy. Gopichand also spoke about taking risks to come up in life.

“When I set up the academy it was a challenge. Each time you are confronted with a challenge, reinvent yourself. Whenever I had a problem, there were people to help me – my teachers and supporters,” he said.
Later, he along with Reddy Malledi, Managing Director of CDK Global and senior leadership team unveiled T-shirts for the forthcoming CDK Global Corporate Badminton League (CBL) that will be held at the Pullela Gopichand Badminton Academy in the first week of November.