Interview/ Prakash Padukone, coach and former All-England champion
SOON AFTER LAKSHYA Sen lost the bronze medal match at the Paris Olympics to Malaysia’s Lee Zii Jia, Prakash Padukone issued a statement that divided the sporting community. The Indian team mentor said that the players had been receiving adequate support from the government and that they should “take responsibility” for their performances.
In an interview with THE WEEK, the former All-England champion stood by his statement, and pointed to Neeraj Chopra and Manu Bhaker as examples of athletes who take responsibility. He also spoke about another Olympics for P.V. Sindhu, and what’s ahead for Indian badminton. Excerpts:
Q/ This is the first time since 2012 that badminton has not given India an Olympic medal.
A/ I was expecting at least two medals. This could have come from our men’s singles, women’s singles or men’s doubles players. The fact that we did not get even one medal definitely disappointed the entire nation, including me.
Q/ You spoke about athletes taking responsibility for their performances. What did you think about the reaction to that statement? The sporting world seemed divided.
A/ I have done my job as a well-wisher of Indian sport to start a dialogue. I do not gain anything personally by commenting on the players. I have only stated a fact. I am also aware that most players will not agree with my views. They are entitled to their opinion. Even if four or five players across different sports take my advice in the right spirit, I would have achieved my objective. If not, we can continue to be happy with single-digit medals at the Olympics or even fourth-place finishes.
My statement was taken out of context by the media. My main intention was to let the people know that the “not-so-good” performances in different sports in this Olympics were not due to lack of funding or lack of support from the government. Isn’t it time for everyone, including the players, to introspect? It is possible that the athletes are working hard, but maybe not hard enough to win an Olympic medal. That is where the players need to step up, introspect and take responsibility for their performances.
Q/ In a recent interview with THE WEEK, H.S. Prannoy said that he thought badminton had peaked too early in India with two world-beaters in Saina Nehwal and Sindhu. He said that this could have led fans to, at times, expect too much from the shuttlers.
A/ I do not agree at all. We have been doing well on the international scene since the 1980s, even though there have been times in between where we did not have players in the top 10. But our players have done consistently well in the past 15 years to put India on the world map. And that is a long enough time for the fans to expect at least one medal from badminton at the Olympics.
Q/ Lakshya was a bright spot in Paris, but what do you make of the upcoming talent in the country? Do you see viable replacements for a Sindhu or a Prannoy?
A/ There is absolutely no dearth of talent in the country, especially in tier 2 and tier 3 cities. We need a stronger mechanism to identify such talent and move them to elite academies at the right age. I foresee a very bright future for badminton in the country.
Q/ Do you think it was nerves that cost Lakshya the match against Viktor Axelsen? Or do you think it was just Axelsen’s experience and brilliance?
A/ Without a doubt it was nerves that cost Lakshya a medal. He needs to focus a lot more on training his mind because this is not the first time he has lost matches from winning positions. He tends to lose focus after being in a commanding position, especially against higher-ranked players. While we are happy with his performance, we are not satisfied. Of course, Axelsen’s experience and brilliance definitely helped him in the semi-finals, but the bronze medal was in Lakshya’s pocket.
Q/ Do you think Sindhu has it in her to compete in another Olympics? Only she would know the mental side of it, but looking at her game, could she go again?
A/ Sindhu definitely has it in her to play one more Olympics, but whether she can be a medal contender will depend a lot on her physical and mental condition at that time. Right now, it is too early to predict the outcome.
Q/ Would Neeraj Chopra be a right example of what you meant about athletes taking responsibility?
A/ You have hit the nail on the head. That is exactly what I meant about athletes taking responsibility. He could easily have been satisfied with his silver, but he was disappointed that he could not win gold. That is the kind of mindset I was referring to. Youngsters who want to achieve something big in sport would do well to emulate Neeraj Chopra for his perseverance and never-say-die attitude. Also, his ability to remain calm and focused under extremely stressful conditions. These are the qualities that separate him from the rest.
Manu Bhaker was another example of taking responsibility for her performances, especially after her disappointing loss in the previous Olympics. After that defeat, she took full control of herself and worked on her weaknesses to emerge victorious.
Q/ What do you think is the path ahead for badminton in India?
A/ BAI (Badminton Association of India) is doing a good job, but can do a lot more to promote the sport. I would definitely want them to revive the Premier Badminton League, which will go a long way in further popularising the sport.
Q/ Lastly, what are your personal plans within the sport in the near future?
A/ I have done enough for the sport in the past 50 years. I want to take it easy, spend more time with the family, go on vacations. There is a lot more to life than just badminton. I will be involved in the sport, but not on a full-time basis. I will continue to help and guide talented youngsters whenever I find time.