In a significant shift for Indian badminton, the legendary Prakash Padukone has announced a major change in his lifelong commitment to the sport. The former All England champion and World No. 1 is stepping away from the high-pressure world of elite coaching to dedicate his efforts to building a stronger foundation for badminton across the country.
From Elite Academy to Grassroots Mission
The 70-year-old icon confirmed his exit from the prestigious Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy in October. This marks the end of an era that spanned over three decades, during which he mentored some of India's top shuttlers. In its place, Padukone is now channeling his energy and vast experience into the Padukone School of Badminton, an initiative squarely aimed at nurturing talent at the grassroots level.
"I felt I had done enough for elite badminton," Padukone explained in a recent conversation. "I have been involved in elite coaching for more than 31 years, and we ran the academy for a long time. I needed a change." He described this new chapter as his 'second innings,' a phase of semi-retirement where he remains deeply connected to the sport but without the daily rigors of top-tier coaching.
The Decision to Step Back
The decision, Padukone clarified, was a personal one and not influenced by specific events, such as his academy student Lakshya Sen missing a medal at the recent Paris Olympics. While he was vocal in his critique of that performance, his choice to move on was brewing for a while. "After the Olympics, I felt that I had done enough," he stated.
He highlighted the immense time commitment and pressure involved in coaching at the highest level. "Coaching elite players requires personal involvement on a daily basis," Padukone noted. Even with Vimal Kumar handling most of the academy's day-to-day activities, and Padukone himself acting more as a mentor meeting players every two weeks, the weight of responsibility remained. "There is pressure when you train top players. Even if the players don't perform, you feel partly responsible. This was the right time to step back a little," he reflected.
A Firm No to Elite Coaching, A Yes to Nationwide Growth
Padukone was emphatic about his future role, making it clear that he will not be coaching any elite athletes, even if approached personally. "No, I won't be doing it," the champion asserted. His focus is now unwaveringly on the broader base of the sport.
By building a dedicated team for his new school, he has ensured that the mission can continue without his constant physical presence. This strategic move allows him to contribute to badminton's ecosystem in a more sustainable and widespread manner. The goal is to identify, encourage, and train young talent from the ground up, potentially creating a larger pool of players who can one day compete on the world stage.
For Prakash Padukone, the smile for badminton remains constant, but the arena of his contribution has beautifully evolved. His legacy, which began with historic wins on the court, is now transitioning to planting seeds for a future harvest of Indian badminton champions.
