NEW DELHI, Sept 24: South Korean badminton coach Kim Ji Hyun, who played a pivotal role in PV Sindhu�s march to the world title recently, has resigned as India�s women�s singles coach citing personal reasons with less than a year to go for the Tokyo Olympics.
The 45-year-old from Busan has rushed to New Zealand to care for her husband Ritchie Marr, who suffered a stroke a few days ago.
Kim, who was roped in by the Badminton Association of India (BAI) early this year, was with Sindhu during her World Championship gold-winning campaign last month at Basel, Switzerland.
�It is true, Kim has resigned as her husband is pretty unwell. He suffered a kind of neuro stroke sometime during the World Championship. So she rushed back. She needs to take care of him as it will take around 4 to 6 months for him to recover,� India�s chief national coach Pullela Gopichand told PTI.
Sindhu said the unforeseen situation doesn�t leave her with any option but to go on without Kim.
�It is unfortunate that Kim had to leave at this stage and I wish her husband a quick recovery,� Sindhu said.
�I had a good rapport with her and I know it will be a fresh start for me but it is something which is part of a sportsperson�s life. I will have to work harder and I am sure Gopi Sir and the BAI will take care of everything,� she added. � PTI
