Prakash Padukone Academy set to focus on juniors – Badminton Update
It was a day of great joy for young talent of India as the Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy (PPBA) has decided to focus on the junior shuttlers from now on.
The premium badminton academy of India will provide a golden chance to young shuttlers of the country to elevate their skills by utilising state of the art facilities in academy.
According to the decision, which came into force from April 1, the senior shuttlers will no more enjoy these facilities and will look after themselves as all the coaches will be giving eyes to the youngsters.
The chief coach of PPBA, U. Vimal Kumar confirmed that they are focused to groom raw talent of the country and the campaign will continue until they find the real gem for badminton future of India.
He said, "Our focus will remain on this group for some time, until and unless we find someone special. The seniors here will have to move on and look after themselves as is the case with athletes in other individual sports."
In recent past, the living legend Prakash Padukone also assured his support for a North Zone Badminton Academy in Mohali to nourish the young talent who had to travel all the way to Bangalore earlier.
He was kind enough to lend his coaching staff for this academy and now Prakash Padukone decided to transform his academy also into a training centre for the junior players.
PPBA officials have informed the Sports Ministry that they will be not be working as National Training Centre and senior shuttlers will only use the facilities in case of special need.
The chief coach Vimal Kumar admitted that they have requested Sports Authority of India to allot them only junior camps in the future.
He said, "We have asked Sports Authority of India to consider us as a training centre only for juniors and allot junior camps only."
It seems former All-England champion Prakash Padukone will leave no stone unturned as he has decided to stay away from coaching just to supervise the administration of the academy.
Moreover, PPBA also has arranged an Indonesian coach to equip these youngsters with modern techniques of the game.
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