Tough for shuttlers to peak in Asiad: Padukone

Tribune News Service

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New Delhi, August 7

Badminton legend Prakash Padukone has predicted that the Indian shuttlers will find the going tough at the Asian Games. Padukone, who in 1980 became the first Indian to win the All-England title, said it would be tough for the Indian shuttlers to peak twice in two back-to-back tournaments. The shuttlers will head to Jakarta for the 2018 Asian Games after coming back from the just-concluded World Championships in China.

“It will be tough as most of the top badminton-playing countries are in Asia. A lot of countries are preparing well for the Asian Games and it is also close to the World Championships. It is difficult for any player to peak in two important events so close to one another,” Padukone said on the sidelines of an event on Tuesday. “It will be tough but nothing is impossible. It depends on how they peak during that week,” he added.

Sindhu lost to Spain’s Carolina Marin 19-21 10-21 to settle for the silver medal in the World Championships on Sunday. “She beat two Japanese players, who she normally loses to. So it is unfortunate that she could not make it in the finals. But on the whole she played well,” he said.

Asian wall

The 63-year-old stalwart said that India is amongst the best badminton-playing nations in Asia and has the players who have beaten the best. “It is just that we have not been able to put it across in the important events. Most of our top players have already beaten top Asian players, so they are beatable. It’s just that we need to click,” he said.

Gopi needs help

Interestingly, Padukone said that India coach Pullela Gopichand needs help in managing the players. “I think Gopi is doing a good job. He probably needs somebody to assist him. You know there are so many good players and for one coach to take care of so many players might be difficult. So, he will probably have to look for somebody who could assist him.”