Our Mentors

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Pullela Gopichand

Badminton - chief mentor

Has been honored with the Arjuna Award in 1999, the Dronacharya Award in 2009, and the Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian award, in 2014.

Won the All England Open Badminton Championships in 2001 by defeating Peter Gade and Chen Hong, becoming the second Indian, following Prakash Padukone in 1980, to achieve this prestigious feat. Secured the National Badminton Championship title in 1996 and held it for five consecutive years until 2000. Clinched two gold medals and one silver medal at the 1998 Indian National Games held in Imphal. Represented India in 3 Thomas Cup tournaments and won gold in the SAARC Badminton Tournament in 1996 and 1997 and a silver and bronze at the 1998 Commonwealth Games. Triumphed at the Toulouse Open Championship and Scottish Open Championship in 1999, also winning the Asian satellite tournament in Hyderabad and reaching the final of the German Grand Prix Championship. Operates the Gopichand Badminton Academy since 2008.

Sharath Kamal

Table Tennis - mentor

Has received the Arjuna Award in 2004, the Padma Shri in 2019, and the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award in 2022.

First Indian Table Tennis Player ever to become ten times Senior National Champion. Secured gold at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne. Gold in Men’s Singles at the 16th Commonwealth TT Championship 2004. First Indian to win the Pyongyang Invitational Tournament 2007 held in North Korea. Sole Indian Men’s Table Tennis player selected for the Beijing Olympics in 2008. Won the US Open TT Men’s Championship, 2010. Triumphed at the Egypt Open, becoming the first Indian to win a singles title in the ITTF Pro Tour, 2010. Won gold in Men’s Doubles at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi. Bagged three medals at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast: Gold in Men’s Team event, Silver in Men’s Doubles, and Bronze in Men’s Singles.

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Ramachandran Ramesh

Chess - grandmaster

Has won the British Championship in 2002, the Commonwealth Championship in 2007, and the Dronacharya Award in 2023.
Founded Chess Gurukul, a Chess Academy in Chennai aimed at training young players, in 2008. Produced several international chess champions from India, notably R.Praggnanandhaa and Bharath Subramaniyam, who achieved International Master titles in 2019 at ages 11 and 8 years. Married to WGM Aarthie Ramaswamy, they are India’s first Grandmaster couple. Gained recognition for his commentary during the World Chess Championship Match in 2013 between Anand and Carlsen, serving as the official commentator alongside GM Susan Polgar.