Prakash Padukone slams Indian Shuttlers

After losing the semi final, and missing out on the bronze medal of men’s singles. The sport of badminton remains devoid of yet another Olympic medal for years. 

India had 7 medals in the Tokyo Olympics, in total. And as of now India got three medals in the Paris Olympics, two in bronze and one in shooting. Manu Bhaker essayed a major role in winning both the medals. While India had a string of hopes of winning as many medals in the Paris Olympics, as the Indian players were performing really well in their respective sport, regardless. Everything came crashing down in the 11th day, as some of them failed to qualify or lost the quarter or semi finals, and India is still struggling at 59th spot of medal table. 

Prakash Padukone on Lakshya Sen’s defeat in bronze medal match

Prakash Padukone, the badminton legend was not at all satisfied with the performances the players are putting up with. 

While speaking to the reporters, he said, “Maybe, you know, the players are not working hard enough. Maybe, it is not enough to get a medal at the Olympics.. I hope the players also realize, when you ask for certain things, you need to deliver. If they don’t deliver, then I think you need to be a little firm. Maybe the federation or the government can be. Let’s be frank”

He was stern with his statement that the players need to deliver when the federation and the government are being lenient on them. He had also mentioned that players need to step up, take responsibility for their failures and move forward with their lessons. 

In a way, Prakash Padukone is stringent but viable with his ardent opinions on the current scenario of India in Olympics. It is true that in country like India, star worship is general and less focus is given on other players and that’s where improvement in mentality is also needed.

 It was said that Lakshya Sen suffered elbow injury, but Prakash Padukone was adamant that there was no injury but lethargy, and a fourth finish is no finish. He criticized Sen’s ability to squander, and said he needed to recover and recalibrate. 

Sen’s loss and the future of Badminton

The 69 year old mentored Lakshya Sen in the men’s singles in badminton of Paris Olympics. Lakshya Sen admirably advanced to the quarter finals and semifinals too, but lost the gold medal match to the Danish shuttler. He played the bronze medal match but lost to Malaysian shuttler Zi Jia, reaching 4th place with no medals. This is also the first time in twelve years in Indian Olympics without any medal in Badminton, with Sen’s consistent smashing performances, there was a sanguine hope he would bring the medal in men’s singles for the country. However spectacularly he delivered, the performance remains incomplete. Even though he lost the bronze medal match, Sen received admirable notes and words of courage to prepare himself for the 2028 Olympics. While his mentor was critical and rigorous of the result they achieved in the sport.