Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)
Mangaluru, Oct 15: Legendary Prakash Padukone, who had clinched various international titles in shuttle badminton during his prime years, said that he had never played badminton for either money, fame, awards, and was driven solely by the passion he had for the game.
"I never played for money or awards. I was driven by my love for the game and therefore got emotionally attached to it. After continuing to play in this fashion for some years, a determination to become world champion in badminton gave birth in my mind. I could achieve this dream through hard work and incessant efforts," said the player, who is now the director of Tata Padukone Badminton Academy.
He expressed his frank opinions and feelings after taking part in Manel Srinivas Nayak Interaction Series organized at MSNM Besant Postgraduate Management Institute, Bondel in the city on Saturday October 14.
Padukone said there is no gain without pain, and to achieve certain things, we should be ready to sacrifice some things. "Instead of harping about the rotten system, we should strive to become the best. Winning the All England Championship was the most satisfying experience of my career," he confessed.
About his studies, he said he was never a bookworm but made it a point not to miss classes. "In academics, my name always figured among the top ten students. Science was my favourite subject, but I opted to progress in the field of badminton. My brother went on to become an engineer. As Indonesia is equipped with all the facilities to practie badminton, I went to Indonesia through my employer company and learnt the nuances of the game there as that country had facilities for the same. Later, I took the risk of going to Denmark although my parents were disinterested. This helped me to rise to be the top world level player," he explained.
Padukone explained that he studied in Kannada medium till seventh standard and took to English medium from eighth standard. "My father, who was a state level coach, introduced me to the game when I was seven. Then only ball badminton was popular and Bengaluru had only three courts for shuttle badminton players. There were no TV, computer, books, coaches or girlfriends then," he explained. He said that his academy provides opportunity for everyone interested in this game to get trained.
Former deputy governor of Reserve Bank of India, A Leeladhar, presented the programme.