Badminton
Anup Sridhar's Singapore move: A new challenge and chance for an Indian coach
Anup Sridhar's move to coach Singapore’s badminton team has highlighted the country's faith in his expertise and experience.

At a time when many renowned Indian coaches have moved abroad, particularly to the USA, for better financial opportunities, coach Anup Sridhar has chosen a different path by signing a two-year deal with the Singapore Badminton Association (SBA) as the country's men's singles coach.
In recent years, coaches like Mohammed Siyadatullah Siddiqui, who mentored stars like Saina Nehwal and Kidambi Srikanth, moved to the Oregon Badminton Academy in the USA in 2023. Similarly, B Sai Praneeth, a World Championships bronze medallist, retired from international badminton to take up a coaching role at a USA club in March 2024.
However, Sridhar’s decision stands out due to his ability to take on a tougher challenge in a familiar Asian territory.
“To be honest, it is an individual decision. It is not some coordinated effort or anything like that, nor did I have any discussions with anyone before deciding on it,” Sridhar categorically told The Bridge.
This assignment is unique and perhaps bodes well for India, considering Indian coaches being hired by another top notch national federation is an extremely rare occurrence in any sport.
Sridhar’s move to Singapore underscores the trust placed in his expertise and experience by the badminton-playing nation, which is no novice in the sport. Singapore boasts star shuttlers in former world champion Loh Kean Yew and the reigning Commonwealth Games mixed doubles gold medallists Terry Hee and Jessica Tan.
How Sridhar won over the SBA’s role
Although Sridhar has never been part of the Indian national coaching setup, he brings a wealth of experience from working with star players like Lakshya Sen and PV Sindhu.
“At the beginning of December, I received a call and was asked whether I wanted to be interviewed for this position," recalled Sridhar. "It felt like a significant opportunity, and I decided to explore it.
"I was never part of the Indian national setup, but I had an assignment with Lakshya Sen for about a year and three months, and with PV Sindhu for a few months. I have been coaching at my private academy for nine years. This was something new, and I was keen on taking up the challenge,” he added.
The SBA had advertised for the position, seeking a coach with a minimum of five years of experience. The competitive badminton coaching landscape often prioritises coaches from Denmark, China, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, and Indonesia, making the task tougher for Sridhar.
However, the SBA was particularly impressed with Sridhar’s analytical skills. “It was not that I saw the advertisement. In early December, I was asked if I would like to be interviewed for the position,” Sridhar elaborated.
“I said yes and asked for a couple of days to prepare. I presented a training and tournament plan I believed was suitable for the players. The interview was comprehensive; they had done their homework, and after a few weeks, I was offered the position, which I accepted,” he revealed.
David Tan, vice-president of the SBA, emphasised why Sridhar was chosen: “Sridhar impressed us with his in-depth and comprehensive analysis of the strengths and shortcomings of many top players on the tour at the moment. This knowledge will be invaluable to our national team.”
Speaking about his two-year contract, Sridhar said, “The employment pass, which is like a work visa, is initially for two years. Typically, appointments align with the Olympic cycle, so the idea is to continue this relationship beyond two years if things go well.”
Opportunities in India vs abroad
Sridhar’s decision to move abroad came amid a growing influx of ASEAN coaches in India, with Malaysian Tan Kim Her and Indonesian Irwansyah Adi Pratama being the most recent appointees in the Indian national setup.
However, Sridhar dismissed the notion that a lack of opportunities in India forced him to seek employment abroad. Yet, the timing of his move raises questions, as earlier in 2024, after the Paris Olympics, he briefly worked with PV Sindhu. Their partnership ended in December when she decided to train under Irwansyah.
“There are some fantastic players in Singapore. The Singapore Badminton Association is one of the most professional associations to work with, in my opinion. They are straightforward and mean what they say,” Sridhar said, explaining his decision to join the SBA.
With him owning a private academy in Bengaluru, Sridhar is now keen on enhancing his knowledge as a coach, and he believes his latest stint will make him richer as a coach.
“I am very keen to see if I can contribute positively to their setup and their top players. I wouldn’t say there is a lack of opportunities in India; I had the chance to train Lakshya and Sindhu. This move seemed like a good chance to enhance my knowledge, add to my experience, and continue my journey as a badminton coach,” he stated.
Challenges ahead
Singapore is an ambitious country, with its national team being made up of senior players like World No. 12 Loh Kean Yew and World No. 33 Jason Teh as well as youngsters, who are at different stages of development. For Sridhar, the task is twofold: improving the performances of players like Loh and Jason Teh on the World Tour and helping younger players rise in rankings.
“I am hired as a singles coach, specifically focusing on men’s singles,” he said.
Detailing his role, Sridhar said, “The responsibilities are extensive. I will work under Kim Ji-hun [former coach of Sindhu]. My job involves managing Loh and Jason Teh, as well as players lower down the rankings. These players compete in different tournaments compared to the top two. Planning the right tournaments for them is also my responsibility. Traveling with players and ensuring they perform their best are significant parts of my role.”
While Loh is already a legend in his own right, Jason is still unlocking his potential. The 24-year-old played three finals in 2024 but struggled to win any, losing to Lakshya Sen at the Syed Modi India International in December.
Sridhar is optimistic about Jason’s future. “Jason Teh is strong and energetic, with powerful smashes. I think the future looks bright for him. Loh Kean Yew is a legend with a lot of experience. I am looking forward to working with all these players,” he said.
‘Have done homework’
Sridhar acknowledges the challenges ahead, especially given that Singapore badminton has seen limited success apart from Loh winning a Super 300 title in 2024. “I have done my homework and have ideas for the players, but I want to keep them private for now. Initially, I will hear them out, understand their training systems, and then propose my plans while inviting feedback,” he said.
One of his prime tasks will be to broaden Singapore’s talent pool in men’s singles, taking the country beyond the periphery of Loh and Jason.
In his quest to help Singapore come at par with the likes of neighbouring Malaysia, a country with an even richer badminton culture, injury management - a critical aspect in a sport demanding year-round travel – will hold the key.
Drawing from his own experience as a player and Olympian who lost significant years to injuries, Sridhar emphasized, “Good planning can prevent injuries. I lost over 50-60 per cent of my peak years to injuries. I broke two ligaments in two of my ankles, and I tore the muscle in my foot and my abdomen side, shoulder, and I had a crack in my right knee cap. This happened in four and a half years, I lost half of my career to it. I know the pain of coming from the setbacks.”
"But badminton has changed significantly since my playing days. Players now travel for seven and a half months a year, and I have observed how things are done around the world. I have solid plans for the players and will give my very best,” Sridhar vowed, awaiting his visa.