Special interview: Prakash Padukone talks to Sportskeeda

Seventeen years after it set sail out as India’s first private badminton academy, the Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy has decided to shift course. From being an elite school for the country’s best shuttlers, the Academy has now decided to concentrate exclusively on junior players, aiming to become a sort of feeder centre which will contribute to the nation’s talent pool.

This shift is significant for several reasons, and results from other changes in the country’s badminton landscape. While once it was the country’s only high-level training centre for elite players, today the scene is different. There are other academies for senior players to turn to, and more recourse to private training.

Prakash Padukone, former All England champion and Founder of the Academy, talks to Dev S Sukumar in an exclusive interview for Sportskeeda about the reasons behind this major decision:

Any particular reason for the shift in focus to the juniors?

It’s a long-term vision. We thought we’ll look at the future and concentrate more on the juniors. In terms of commitment, we felt their commitment levels were what we expect. They have less distractions, and also, they don’t have so many international tournaments, so it’s easier to fix a programme.

Is working with the seniors more strenuous, physically and in terms of other resources?

Yes… seniors require more time and energy. Also, after a certain level, they know what to do. Let me put it this way: we feel we can be more useful for juniors than for seniors. Seniors, after playing at a certain level for a while, develop certain ideas. After a certain stage, they know most of it (training requirements). We felt there’s no way we could give them a lot of time. If we spend the same time and energy on juniors, the junior level could go up, by the time they become seniors.

Prakash Padukone

So you see the academy becoming a feeder centre?

Yes, something like that. The seniors have other academies (to turn to).

Once the juniors cross over to other academies as seniors, aren’t you worried that you will no longer be credited for their performances?

That doesn’t matter. I’m not worried about credit. They’ll still be a product of our academy… we’ll still keep them if they’re exceptionally talented, and if they decide to stay back. But generally, we’d like to see them move on when they’re 21. There are less complications (in this arrangement) too.

What is your opinion of the level of our seniors?

I think they can be much better. They’re focused and committed, but not the commitment levels required for the top-ten. Saina is an exception. Among the boys I don’t see anybody with that level of commitment. The technical skills are okay, but not good enough to be in the top-ten. I’m talking in general terms, but there could be one or two exceptions. Most of them will get one or two good wins, but they will not be able to dominate or be consistent, like Saina. You know Saina won’t lose to players below her level.

I still believe we should stick to our strengths. I’m telling the boys now, concentrate on speed with accuracy. Our traditional strengths are accuracy and deception. It’s not possible to play the way the Chinese do and hope to beat them.