Archive · 8 Oct 2026
Prakash Padukone Urges Stronger Grassroots Coaching for Future Champions
Prakash Padukone says many future badminton champions may come from smaller Indian cities.
He says young players need good courts and other facilities, equipment, and skilled coaches.
He spoke while two sports organizations signed an agreement to work together.
Padukone wants more children to play badminton and learn the right techniques early.
A recent under-15 and under-17 tournament had about 4,000 entries.
He said this shows how popular the sport is becoming.
It also means India needs to improve the quality of coaching.
He added that players should also think about their own role in improving, rather than blaming coaches after losing.
Prakash Padukone said future Indian champions could increasingly come from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.
He said athletes need quality infrastructure, coaching and equipment to develop.
Padukone spoke at the signing of an MoU between Padukone School of Badminton and IISM.
He urged greater emphasis on getting children into badminton and teaching correct techniques early.
He cited about 4,000 entries in a recent Under-15 and Under-17 tournament as evidence of the sport’s growth and coaching demands.
- Who
- Former Indian badminton champion Prakash Padukone.
- What
- He called for stronger grassroots development and better coaching, infrastructure and equipment, and said future champions could come from smaller towns.
- When
- At the signing of an MoU; the article does not specify the date.
- Where
- At the MoU signing; the article does not specify the location.
- Why
- To help more young athletes develop and address gaps in coaching as badminton participation grows.
Padukone's emphasis
Additional responsibility
What is needed to improve young players
Padukone's emphasis
Coaching standards need urgent improvement, alongside access to infrastructure and equipment.
Additional responsibility
Padukone said player progress cannot rest entirely with coaches; young athletes should examine their own shortcomings instead of automatically blaming coaches after defeats.
- Speaker
- Prakash Padukone, mentor at the Padukone School of Badminton
- Agreement
- MoU between Padukone School of Badminton and the International Institute of Sports & Management
- Key development needs
- Infrastructure, coaching and equipment
- Tournament entries
- Around 4,000 for an Under-15 and Under-17 tournament
- Tournament duration
- 10 days
- Courts
- 22 courts were used during the first five days