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Miffed Padukone scoffs at BAI

Legend says association is not doing enough to promote badminton.

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India’s greatest badminton player Prakash Padukone on Monday expressed concern over the general direction in which Indian badminton was headed, comparing it to the situation in the 1980s.

Speaking to DNA on Monday, a worried Padukone touched upon several issues that have been on his mind, including the BAI’s insistence on ‘petty’ issues such as player clothing rather than the conduct of tournaments, and his contemplation of life beyond badminton.

“There have been just two senior ranking tournaments this year, apart from the national championships. Both ranking tournaments were organised by us (Padukone Sports Management). That means that without us, there won’t be tournaments at all through the year.

“The BAI has to take responsibility. There is a lot of talent. But if the trend continues of not having domestic tournaments, the top players will not earn their place in the Indian team. You’re not helping them reach their potential, because they’ll take their places for granted. The second rung of players will be unable to show their potential.

“There’s absolutely no excuse (for the BAI). It shows a lack of will and lack of planning. You have to create the next line of players. The whole system is flawed. What had happened in the 1980s is being repeated again.”

Padukone questioned the BAI’s rationale of fixing minimum prize money of Rs5 lakh for every senior ranking tournament. With the total cost of sponsoring a tournament going up to around Rs10 lakh, and with Indian internationals not guaranteeing their participation, Padukone said the situation would hurt sponsorship.

“The BWF itself conducts $5,000 to $250,000 events. So why in India do you want to have only Rs5 lakh tournaments? Why not have Rs1 lakh prize money tournaments as well? And the BAI does not even ensure the participation of top players, so why will the sponsors remain interested in badminton? The BAI should make it mandatory for players to take part in domestic events if they have to be sent for international events.”

Padukone said he was already thinking of life beyond badminton. “I’m worried and upset.
I’ve done whatever I could for Indian badminton. I’m cutting down on my badminton activities gradually. For now, I’m looking at the Commonwealth Games. After that, I want to explore other things, like finance. I want to take more vacations, spend more time with family. I’ve done enough. I want to spend time with (actress daughter) Deepika. She needs help on financial matters. All that will need time. I won’t have enough time for badminton on a day-to-day basis. As far as the Academy is concerned, new ideas should come in.”
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