GBA eyes development with introduction of Indian Coach

In a step towards strengthening the development of the sport locally, the Guyana Badminton Association (GBA) has welcomed internationally experienced Coach Kartikey Gund of India to the Land of Many Waters for a six-month stint.
According to the GBA, Gund brings more than seven years of experience in developing junior and youth badminton athletes through some of India’s leading badminton academies in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Delhi-NCR. He currently serves as a Coach at The Sports School in Bengaluru, under the mentorship of renowned Indian badminton Coach Pullela Gopichand. Prior to this, he spent two and a half years as an assistant Coach under Indonesian Coach Brahmastafany Dhanu Utomo, where he was instrumental in delivering structured training programmes, preparing athletes for competition, and fostering a high-performance training environment.
During his six-month assignment in Guyana, Gund will work closely with the country’s national players while also providing technical support to the association’s affiliated clubs. His role will focus on enhancing players’ technical and tactical abilities, mentoring local Coaches, and identifying promising young athletes for inclusion in the GBA’s High Performance and Development Programme.
The initiative forms part of the GBA’s long-term strategy to strengthen badminton at every level and provide greater opportunities for players throughout the country. In addition to national team training, the association will launch a comprehensive club development programme that will see affiliated clubs benefit from scheduled Coaching visits, technical guidance, and structured athlete development support.
GBA President Emelia Ramdhani expressed confidence that the programme will have a lasting impact on the sport.
“The arrival of Coach Kartikey Gund marks another important milestone in our efforts to raise the standard of badminton in Guyana. His international experience and technical expertise will greatly benefit our athletes, Coaches, and clubs as we continue to build a stronger pathway from grassroots participation to elite competition,” Ramdhani shared.
On the other hand, Gund has expressed his eagerness to work with the Guyanese badminton fraternity.
“I accepted this opportunity because I wanted a new challenge and the chance to help badminton grow in Guyana. Development takes time, but with hard work and teamwork, I believe we can build a strong future. I am excited to work with the players and Coaches and would be happy to continue this journey if my contract is extended,” the Coach remarked.
He went on to state, “My Coaching philosophy is built on discipline, hard work and enjoyment of the game. I want to introduce modern training methods that develop technique, footwork, physical fitness, match strategy and mental strength.”
“I also want to work closely with the local Coaches and share my experience with them. When Coaches improve, players improve as well. My aim is to help establish a strong and sustainable Coaching system that will support the long-term growth of badminton in Guyana.”
As part of his immediate responsibilities, Coach Gund is currently working with and preparing a junior team that will represent Guyana at the Caribbean Regional Badminton Confederation (CAREBACO) Junior Championships 2026, scheduled for August 12–18, 2026, in Kingston, Jamaica. The tournament will provide an important opportunity for some of Guyana’s emerging junior athletes to gain international competitive experience and measure their development against some of the region’s best young players.