Gopichand

Sanjit Das/Panos for The Wall Street Journal Pullela Gopichand is seen training a young girl at the Pullela Gopichand Badminton Academy in Gachibowli area of Hyderabad, India.

Badminton Academy Trains Saina but Still Struggles Geeta Anand 2010

With his mother managing the academy, Mr. Gopichand is on the courts at 7: 30 a.m. with the national team — and he's there at 6: 30 p.m. as they're winding down for the day.

Badminton Academy Trains Saina but Still Struggles Geeta Anand 2010

But after approaching asking several businessmen, including people who owed him favors, Mr. Prasad says, he quickly realized that Mr. Gopichand would face an uphill battle.

Badminton Academy Trains Saina but Still Struggles Geeta Anand 2010

Sanjit Das/Panos for The Wall Street Journal Despite Ms. Nehwal's success, Mr. Gopichand has been struggling to find sponsers to keep the academy running at an optimal level.

The Man Behind Saina's Success 2010

Ms. Nehwal moved in 1999 to the southern Indian technology capital of Hyderabad, the hometown of Mr. Gopichand, then India's top badminton player.

India's Sporting Hopes Rest on Stars Like Saina Geeta Anand 2010

In its two-year existence, the Gopichand Badminton Academy has produced Saina Nehwal and a whole crop of other young athletics stars.

Badminton Academy Trains Saina but Still Struggles Geeta Anand 2010

HYDERABAD, India — On his way home from winning the biggest tournament of his life, Pullela Gopichand felt strangely sad.

Badminton Academy Trains Saina but Still Struggles Geeta Anand 2010

Even today, with Ms. Nehwal's enormous success, Mr. Gopichand still can't raise the $300,000 a year he needs to run the academy at optimal level.

Badminton Academy Trains Saina but Still Struggles Geeta Anand 2010

Left, Nehwal spoke with her coach Pullela Gopichand during the quarter finals in Beijing, August 13, 2008.

Sania Nehwal Does it Again 2011

Pullela Gopichand built and runs the Hyderabad academy that trained Saina Nehwal and a whole crop of young Indian badminton stars.

The Man Behind Saina's Success 2010