All England Championships will be our target next year: Gopichand

Chief national badminton coach Pullela Gopichand has set his eyes on ending the 18-year-old wait for an Indian to become an All England champion next year after P V Sindhu clinched the season-ending World Tour Finals title here Sunday.

Gopichand was the last Indian to win the All England Championship in 2001, achieving the coveted feat after 21 years of Prakash Padukone's 1980 title.

Asked about the targets, Gopichand said: "For us the 2020 would be a big one, and then 2022, so basically the commonwealth, Asian Games and the Olympics are the big event but having said that the All England will be the target next year.

"It has been quite a while since we have won the All England Championship. It will be almost 20 years since Prakash sir won and then I won the Championship so I hope this time it doesn't take so long."
"It is great to end the year like this but more important is to start the next year with a similar win."
"Overall a good tournament for him, so lot of positive to take back. Next is a a fresh year and good ending what would be a good beginning for next year."