Latest update January 17th, 2025 6:30 AM
Gokarn Ramdhani appointed Head Coach at Olds College Badminton Team in Canada
Kaieteur News – Gokarn Ramdhani has been appointed the Head Coach of Olds College Broncos Badminton Team in Canada. Last year Ramdhani was the Technical Coach to the Broncos where the Team got 1-Silver, 5-Bronze at the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference Provincial Championships and 4th Place at Nationals in Mississauga Canada.
Trina Radcliffe -Athletics Manager
Gokarn Ramghani
Trina Radcliffe, Manager, Athletics of Olds College noted, “Gokarn brings so much experience and passion for the game of badminton. It was a natural fit for him to move into the Head Coach role after being the Lead Technical Coach last year under Mary Smith. The student-athletes will have the opportunity to learn from one of the best.”
Ramdhani commenting on his appointment informed that, “I am happy to have gotten this position as it gives me greater chances for becoming a better coach and it’s always a pleasurable priory to be around Badminton and getting players to the highest level possible. This position also gives me a chance to draft International players.
I started in 1983 playing when I attend Queens College and made it into the National Team in 1985. It was such a memorable time playing with then top players and many times I use to ride from Republic Park to Queens College so that I can play with the top Players from Linden (Nathan Montague, Billy Holder, Elroy Glasgow and Mike Brummell).
In those days training and keeping fit was needed and as you had to keep up if you wanted to get selected. My training was waking up in the morning at 5am and running over Guy bridge and back, Weights Training three times a week and practice 5 Times in a week. It was rewarding as My Doubles partner Sean Barnwell & I held the most titles during the 80’s and 90’s. Special Mention to the Late Ms. Ismay Holder who taught me lots in becoming a Sports Administrator by putting me on the Executive of The Guyana Badminton Association which I continue to run to this day. I am also at the moment the longest serving Council Member on the Guyana Olympic Association from 1988 to date.”
Ramdhani spoke of his involvement with the Yonex Badminton Club since 1985 and the national players churned out and tours made which made players very competitive.
He further stated, “My pet project was Coaching and running the programme for the Marian Academy Badminton Team for over 10 years. Here I was able to produce players who made it on the National Team.
I am hoping we can get through this Pandemic soon, as we need to get the players back on court and our programmes restarted and especially as they were doing so well both locally and internationally. We medaled at Carebaco, Suriname International and Pan Am Tournaments many times. We were also the CAREBACO Junior Champions for the last two years and medaled in the Seniors.”
“I am proud of all my players that I Coached and even more so my own two children (Narayan & Priyanna) who have reached so far in Badminton, winning so many National Tournaments and Medaling at so many International that they are now both on Badminton Scholarships as Student Athletes in Canada. My wife Emily also played a leading role as my right hand in the running of Badminton in Guyana. Once you are in Admin in Sports it’s my belief if your Family is not part of it shows how far you can take a sport. How can you get the interest of others if you can’t do it with your immediate ones?
It’s a lot of sacrifice but it’s for a good cause. All depends how what’s your Goal. Mine is to reach the Olympics,” Ramdhani opined.
He informed that the association plan to meet with the new Minister of Sports to outline their programmes and activities planned like Shuttle Time for the schools and the launching of the New Outdoor Air Badminton for the parks and rural areas. They also hope to hold our AGM in December.
Ramdhani is a Level 111 Badminton Coach.
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