NEW DELHI: The badminton community is divided after remarks by Prakash Padukone, following Lakshya Sen’s unfortunate loss to Malaysia’s Lee Zii Jia in the bronze medal play-off at the Paris Olympics.
Sen lost despite a strong start, leading to varied reactions about athlete accountability and pressure management.
Padukone, a revered figure in Indian badminton, expressed disappointment following Sen’s defeat, emphasizing the need for players to withstand pressure, take responsibility and deliver results.His comments came after Sen failed to secure a medal, losing the match 21-13, 16-21, 11-21 to Lee Zii Jia.
Doubles player Ashwini Ponnappa has reacted strongly to Padukone’s critique. Ponnappa, who recently exited the women’s doubles competition alongside partner Tanisha Crasto, felt Padukone’s comments unfairly targeted the players alone.
“Disappointing to see this. If a player wins, everyone jumps on the bandwagon to take credit, and if they lose, it’s just the player’s fault?!” Ponnappa wrote in an Instagram story.
“Why aren’t coaches held responsible for lack of preparation and getting the player ready? They are the first ones to take credit for wins; why not take responsibility for their players’ losses as well?
“At the end of the day, winning takes team effort and losing is also the team’s responsibility. You can’t suddenly push the player under the bus and blame it all on the player.”
Padukone’s message to Sen and other Indian Olympians was firm. He argued that the focus should not just be on one top player but on cultivating the next line of talents.
“We cannot remain satisfied just having one player. We need to focus on the next line, maybe even the third line,” Padukone had said.
“And a little bit of effort from the players also. A little more responsibility, a little more accountability. Not just ask for whatever you ask for. Once you are given that, you also have to be accountable. I think the players have to learn to take responsibility.”
While Ponnappa opposed Padukone’s stance, women’s doubles player Jwala Gutta, who has previously won a world championship bronze alongside Ponnappa, supported the notion of player accountability.
“Yes, players can also take responsibilities…why not?” she shared in an Instagram post.
“Players, when they win, get all the riches…do they share it with their coach or staff? If a coach is saying that the players also need to take responsibilities after reaching a certain stage in a tournament, the player should be held responsible as well.”
Star badminton couple Parupalli Kashyap and Saina Nehwal felt that while criticism is important, one can’t question the commitment of the athletes.
“There will be a lot of tough questions asked of our Indian Olympic contingent, and rightfully so, once the games are over in a few days’ time. Yet again, we have flattered to deceive. Yet again, we have failed when it mattered the most,” Saina and Kashyap shared in a post on Instagram.
The duo conceded that “not too many fingers” can be pointed at the National Sports Federations right now.
“…especially if you look at the high-profile sports like shooting, badminton, and boxing,” they said.
“And while it’s our right to ask and criticise, one thing we cannot and should not do is question the commitment of all 117 athletes representing our country. All of them have shed blood, sweat, and tears to get to the Olympics.”
Sen lost despite a strong start, leading to varied reactions about athlete accountability and pressure management.
Padukone, a revered figure in Indian badminton, expressed disappointment following Sen’s defeat, emphasizing the need for players to withstand pressure, take responsibility and deliver results.His comments came after Sen failed to secure a medal, losing the match 21-13, 16-21, 11-21 to Lee Zii Jia.
Doubles player Ashwini Ponnappa has reacted strongly to Padukone’s critique. Ponnappa, who recently exited the women’s doubles competition alongside partner Tanisha Crasto, felt Padukone’s comments unfairly targeted the players alone.
“Disappointing to see this. If a player wins, everyone jumps on the bandwagon to take credit, and if they lose, it’s just the player’s fault?!” Ponnappa wrote in an Instagram story.
“Why aren’t coaches held responsible for lack of preparation and getting the player ready? They are the first ones to take credit for wins; why not take responsibility for their players’ losses as well?
“At the end of the day, winning takes team effort and losing is also the team’s responsibility. You can’t suddenly push the player under the bus and blame it all on the player.”
Padukone’s message to Sen and other Indian Olympians was firm. He argued that the focus should not just be on one top player but on cultivating the next line of talents.
“We cannot remain satisfied just having one player. We need to focus on the next line, maybe even the third line,” Padukone had said.
“And a little bit of effort from the players also. A little more responsibility, a little more accountability. Not just ask for whatever you ask for. Once you are given that, you also have to be accountable. I think the players have to learn to take responsibility.”
While Ponnappa opposed Padukone’s stance, women’s doubles player Jwala Gutta, who has previously won a world championship bronze alongside Ponnappa, supported the notion of player accountability.
“Yes, players can also take responsibilities…why not?” she shared in an Instagram post.
“Players, when they win, get all the riches…do they share it with their coach or staff? If a coach is saying that the players also need to take responsibilities after reaching a certain stage in a tournament, the player should be held responsible as well.”
Star badminton couple Parupalli Kashyap and Saina Nehwal felt that while criticism is important, one can’t question the commitment of the athletes.
“There will be a lot of tough questions asked of our Indian Olympic contingent, and rightfully so, once the games are over in a few days’ time. Yet again, we have flattered to deceive. Yet again, we have failed when it mattered the most,” Saina and Kashyap shared in a post on Instagram.
The duo conceded that “not too many fingers” can be pointed at the National Sports Federations right now.
“…especially if you look at the high-profile sports like shooting, badminton, and boxing,” they said.
“And while it’s our right to ask and criticise, one thing we cannot and should not do is question the commitment of all 117 athletes representing our country. All of them have shed blood, sweat, and tears to get to the Olympics.”
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