VASANTHNAGAR: The Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy (PPBA), launched by three stalwarts of Indian badminton-- Prakash Padukone, Vimal Kumar and Vivek Kumar-- has completed 20 years. Launched in 1994, it has been producing champions by the dozen ever since its inception.
The face of badminton in the city changed after Prakash won the all-England title in 1980. He also won the Commonwealth Games title in 1978 and is the only Indian to hold the junior and senior national titles at the same time. He then went on to win the national title nine times in a row, a record equalled by Aparna Popat in the women's section in 2008.
With national champion Vimal Kumar, also a former national team coach, and Vivek Kumar joining hands, Prakash got the technical expertise to turn this academy into a home for champions.
"I only wanted to give back to the game of badminton which had given me so much. Facilities were pathetic when I used to play. I did not want the youngsters to suffer. We have splendid support from our sponsors without whom it would not have been possible," said the legendary Prakash Padukone.
Most players in Indian badminton possibly came through the ranks of the PPBA. In its short history, the PPBA, has produced multiple national and international champions and acquired a reputation of producing world-class players. Even foreign teams have used their facilities while preparing for major events here.
The PPBA imparts coaching to young players who come through a selection process. Encouraged by its success in Bengaluru and to meet demands from around the country, the PPBA established the Pune Centre in July 1999.
As many as 15 talented boys and girls were selected and training has been imparted to them.
The PPBA offers badminton courts, besides access to a swimming pool, gymnasium, squash court and restaurant. Players are selected on merit. The coaches watch for potential during national tournaments, some organised by the PPBA, and chose players who "possess the right combination of attitude and skill."
An offer of admission and scholarship is made and training is imparted round the year. And the trainees represent their respective states or institutions and organisations in various tournaments and are not even required to represent the academy.
Even the world famous Saina Nehwal has chosen to train under Vimal Kumar at the PPBA. The professionalism that it has shown is unmatched and the PPBA is bound to play a major in producing champions in the game for years to come.
“The journey so far has been great and a learning experience for all of us. We’ve had the opportunity of interacting with players of all kinds, with different temperaments. This academy was never formed with a commercial intent. The results have been very encouraging,” said co-founder Vimal Kumar.
“Indian badminton is looking up today. I think the seeds were sown in 1994. Others have also contributed but we were the first and are proud that we showed them the way thanks to BPL’s support initially. Surely, we look forward to doing a lot more and will not rest on our laurels. It has been pretty satisfying so far,” Prakash Padukone told City Express.