Nitya is coaching women’s doubles under head coach Eng Hian and assistant coach Chafidz Yusuf at the Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI) national training camp in Cipayung, East Jakarta.

“My chance at playing again is really slim, but I think I have so much to share. So my idea [of coaching] is more about sharing instead of preaching,” said the 30-year-old, who won the 2014 Asian Games gold with doubles partner Greysia Polii, as quoted in an interview on the PBSI website.

Nitya said she had never thought of being a coach. As an athlete, she was simply focused on being a good player. But when she was injured, she said she had more time to think thoroughly about the future of her career.

“I knew I couldn’t stay away from badminton. So, here I am, still giving my best for the PBSI and the country in [my] new role,” she said.

“As a coach [...] there is even greater responsibility. Guiding players to become even better is not easy,"said Nitya. "Although I may be new, I found out, 'Oh, this is what it feels to be koh [big brother] Didi,” she said, referring to Eng by his nickname.

In her heyday, Nitya and Greysia won bronze at the 2015 BWF World Championships and gold at the 2016 Badminton Asia Championships. The pair also took first- and second-place titles at other international events like the OUE Singapore Open 2016 World Superseries, the Victor Korea Open 2015, the 2015 and 2014 Chinese Taipei Open Grand Prix Gold, and the 2013 Thailand Open Grand Prix Gold. (nkn)

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