Former All-England badminton champion Pulella Gopichand says the lack of players of international standard is cause for concern for Indian badminton.

"Apart from Chetan Anand [ Images ], who is the best talent in the country now, we do not have any international standard players even though we have a few good players at the national level," Gopichand moaned in Mumbai [ Images ] on Thursday, after conducting a clinic for children at the Uday Pawar Badminton Academy.

Speaking about his own career which has witnessed a slump following surgery on both his knees, the Hyderabad star said, "A physiotherapist's constant attention makes the recovery (from injuries) easier but I cannot hire one now as the needs of my body are different from others.

"However, at the end of my career, I would be a bit sad about the injury problem I have faced, but it is a tough sport and it has taken its toll on my body. Very few people play as long as I have done in competitive badminton.

"Due to the injuries I have slipped to 125 in the world ranking from a high of top ten. I want to reach the top 30-35 this year but it is going to be hard. I will have to play qualifying rounds even in lesser grade tournaments."

Father of a two-month old baby girl, Gopichand added, "Though I cannot train like I used to, I have started taking help from an athletic coach. This also helps me retain independence in training while for matches I need to get the strength back in my knees and shoulders."

The 30-year-old shuttler will be seen in action in the Singapore Open from August 24 before which he will be training with their national team.

"In fact, I would have liked to have played in the All India [ Images ] tournament held here (Mumbai) recently but as I was training for the Asian circuit, which was postponed, I got back to my basic strength training and did not want to disturb my schedule," Gopichand said.

"I think I still have a couple of more years and I am satisfied at the way things are going now as my motivation is the same as when I was 10 or 12 years old."

Gopichand, who demonstrated various aspects of the game to the youngsters, including how to be tough on the field and a relaxed person off it, said he does not get demoralised easily and will fight hard to regain his form.

"I don't want to give up easily and as long as I maintain my physical fitness, I think I can contribute a lot to the country as a player and as a coach, which I will be taking up after my playing days are over," he added.