Prakash Padukone Labels India's Asian Games Badminton Performance 'Disappointing'

Legendary badminton figure Prakash Padukone has described India’s performance at the recent Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya as underwhelming. The former national coach, who famously claimed the 1980 All England title, suggested that the squad failed to meet the expectations set by their previous medal tallies, despite the significant talent currently available within the country.

India’s campaign concluded with a solitary bronze medal in the team event, while the individual categories saw four quarter-final exits, leaving the contingent without a medal in those disciplines. Speaking at an event marking a partnership between the Padukone School of Badminton and the International Institute of Sports Management, the veteran expressed his belief that the team should have at least matched their performance from the previous edition of the Games.

To combat this, the former coach advised top-tier players to be more selective with their calendars. He suggested identifying four or five marquee tournaments per season to target for peak performance, rather than attempting to maintain top form throughout the entire year. He also pointed to two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu as a benchmark for professional hunger, noting that her recent success at the Japan Open serves as an example for younger players like Lakshya Sen to emulate.

Regarding the future of the sport in India, Padukone maintained that singles remains the nation's primary strength, with a steady pipeline of talent emerging. However, he admitted that the doubles disciplines—men’s, women’s, and mixed—face a more difficult path to achieving consistent international success. He concluded that while the talent is present, the players must be willing to put in the necessary effort to ensure that the country remains competitive on the global stage over the next five to six years.