Legendary badminton player Prakash Padukone is gearing up for an exciting journey to the French capital, Paris, for the upcoming Paris Olympics 2024. Accompanied by a 15-member Indian badminton team, the much-anticipated event will occur from July 26 to August 11.
PV Sindhu’s Strategic Move
Recently, two-time Olympian PV Sindhu announced that Prakash Padukone would be her mentor for the upcoming Olympics. In preparation, she has relocated from Hyderabad to Bengaluru. Notably, Lakshya Sen, a prominent player, is a product of the Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy (PPBA).
Padukone’s Illustrious Career
Prakash Padukone, a gold medallist in men’s singles at the 1978 Commonwealth Games, retired in 1991. Badminton made its Olympic debut at the Barcelona Games in 1992, just after Padukone’s retirement. Post-retirement, he served as the chairman of the Badminton Association of India and later coached the Indian national badminton team from 1993 to 1996.
Support Staff for Paris 2024
The Indian badminton contingent for Paris 2024 consists of seven players and an eight-member support staff, which includes coaches, mentors, and physiotherapists. Among the notable figures in the support team is Pullela Gopichand, the current national chief coach. RMV Gurusaidut is training HS Prannoy, while Mathias Boe
Training and Mentorship Dynamics
Former India coach Vimal Kumar is training Lakshya Sen, with Agus Santosa assisting PV Sindhu in her preparations in Bengaluru. Kiran, a long-time physiotherapist with the national team, and Zeina, who recently joined Sindhu’s camp, are also part of the support team. Sindhu aims for her third Olympic medal at the Paris Games.
Gopichand’s Role During Tokyo 2021
At the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, chief coach Gopichand did not travel with the team due to COVID-19 restrictions limiting the number of accompanying officials. This year, however, his presence is expected to provide significant support and guidance to the Indian team.
The journey to Paris 2024 is laden with anticipation and excitement for the Indian badminton contingent. Prakash Padukone’s mentorship and dedicated support staff make the team well-prepared to make a mark on the global stage. As the countdown begins, all eyes will be on the Indian shuttlers, hoping for a stellar performance in the City of Lights.
