Badminton legend Prakash Padukone to mentor Indian squad in Paris Olympics

July 11, 2024

0 likes

Badminton legend Prakash Padukone to mentor Indian squad in Paris Olympics

Legendary Indian badminton player Prakash Padukone is getting ready to play a new role at the upcoming Paris Olympics. Padukone, who retired from competitive play in 1991, will travel to Paris as a mentor for the 15-member Indian badminton squad. The Olympics begin on July 26th.

Padukone’s inclusion holds special significance for the Indian team. Not only is he a national badminton icon, but he is also the first Indian to win the prestigious All England Championship. Interestingly, badminton only made its Olympic debut in 1992, a year after Padukone’s retirement.

Also Read: Gagan Narang leads the charge at Paris Olympics, PV Sindhu will be the female Flag bearer

The Indian badminton squad boasts a strong mix of experience and rising stars. Lakshya Sen, a product of Padukone’s own academy, the Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy (PPBA), will be aiming to make his mark. PV Sindhu, a two-time Olympic medalist, has chosen Padukone as her personal mentor for the Paris Games. This decision came after her training base shift from Hyderabad to Bengaluru. Sindhu is aiming for a historic feat – a third consecutive Olympic medal.

While Padukone provides guidance and inspiration, the coaching duties will be handled by a team of experienced professionals. Pullela Gopichand, the National Chief Coach, will lead the contingent. He will be joined by RMV Gurusaidutt, Agus Santosa, Vimal Kumar, and Mathias Boe. Each coach brings their expertise to the table, with Gurusaidutt training HS Prannoy, Boe handling the Men’s Doubles pair (Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty) and the Women’s Doubles team (Ashwini Ponnappa and Tanisha Crasto). Former National Coach Vimal Kumar is currently training Lakshya Sen, while Agus Santosa is focused on PV Sindhu’s preparations.

The physiotherapy team also reflects a blend of experience and new additions. Zeinia Samar joins Sindhu’s camp, likely due to her move to Bengaluru. Kiran Challagundla, a long-time physiotherapist for the Indian badminton team, will continue to provide support. In the previous Tokyo Olympics, Gopichand, the National Coach, was unable to travel due to COVID-19 restrictions that limited the number of accompanying officials.

The Indian badminton team has a strong record in recent Olympics, having secured a silver and two bronze medals across the last three editions. At the Paris Games, the badminton competition will run from July 27th to August 5th. With a combination of Padukone’s guidance, experienced coaches, and a determined team, India has a strong chance of adding to its Olympic badminton medal tally.