There is pressure when you train elite players: Prakash Padukone

PUNE: Like change, a smile on Prakash Padukone’s face and his love for badminton is constant.

As for change, the legendary player-turned coach-mentor is ready for what he calls his ‘second innings’. The former All England champion has shifted his focus away from elite coaching and is now working towards strengthening badminton at the grass roots level in the country.


Padukone announced his exit from the Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy in October and is now focusing on Padukone School of Badminton, which will be working at the grassroots level.

“I felt I had done enough for elite badminton. 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,” Padukone, 70, told TOI.

Padukone spoke of the time commitment required at the highest level. “Coaching elite players requires personal involvement on a daily basis. I built a team where I don’t have to be involved every day. It’s a kind of semi-retirement, but I am still connected to the sport,” he said.

Padukone is clear that he won’t be coaching any elite athlete even if he is approached personally. “No, I won’t be doing it,” the former World No. 1 emphasized.

Vocal in his criticism when his academy student Lakshya Sen missed out on a medal at the Paris Games, Padukone, however, insisted that the decision wasn’t influenced by that.

“After the Olympics, I felt that I had done enough. Vimal (Kumar) was handling most of the day-to-day activities of the academy. I was more of a mentor, meeting the players once in two weeks,” he said, “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.”