Clubs and players in focus as Indian Badminton coach begins six-month stint in Guyana

The Guyana Badminton Association (GBA) has taken another significant step towards strengthening the development of badminton in Guyana with the arrival of internationally experienced coach Kartikey Gund of India, who will be based in the country for the next six months. 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. Coach Kartikey Gund of India 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 Guyana Badminton Association’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.” As part of his immediate responsibilities, Coach Gund is currently working with and preparing a junior team that will represent Guyana at the 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.