South Korean great Lee Hyun Il roped in as PV Sindhu's consulting coach

NEW DELHI: Double Olympic medalist PV Sindhu has bolstered her coaching team by bringing in South Korean legend Lee Hyun Il as her consulting coach on an interim basis.
Sindhu is set to return to action next month.
The announcement follows the recent appointment of Anup Sridhar as Sindhu's interim coach. Both will be part of her coaching team until December 2024.
A decision on a permanent coaching team is expected by that time.
Sindhu is preparing for her competitive return at the Finland Open and Denmark Open, scheduled for October.
Lee Hyun Il, a former world No.1 and Sindhu's past teammate during the Premier Badminton League (PBL), offers extensive international experience. He is a bronze medalist from the 2006 World Championships and holds two Asian Games team gold medals from 2002 and 2014.
The combination of Hyun Il and Sridhar aims to provide Sindhu with a dynamic coaching duo blending experience, tactical acumen, and in-depth knowledge of the sport. They will assist in her preparation for the upcoming European circuit.
"I'm thrilled to have Anup and Lee Hyun Il joining my team in this crucial period. Anup's understanding of Indian badminton and his strategic approach have always impressed me, and I look forward to working closely with him," Sindhu said in a release.
"Having Lee, with his meticulous preparation and legendary experience, is an honour. I've always respected his attention to detail, and I can't wait to learn from him during these next few months."
Hyun Il shared his excitement about the collaboration, "Working with PV Sindhu was an easy decision. Our previous partnership in the PBL highlighted her fierce determination and exceptional talent.
"I am excited to contribute to her growth and success in the upcoming tournaments."
The coaching decision follows the end of coach Agus Dwi Santoso's contract with the Sports Authority of India.
Sindhu is looking for a coach who can actively spar with her and support her daily training, recognizing the need to streamline her traveling team.
Sindhu expressed her gratitude towards Santoso for his contributions to her career.
"I truly appreciate coach Agus for all the effort he invested in preparing me for the Olympics. His hard work and commitment were instrumental in getting me back from injury and ready for competition. He became more than just a coach; he became a friend and a guide.
"I will miss those early morning training sessions with him and will always look up to him. I will also greatly miss that typical Indonesian energy that made three-hour training sessions more fun, as well as our chats after matches and long chants on flights.
"Any athlete who works with him will be lucky to have such a dedicated coach."