PETALING JAYA: India’s Lakshya Sen has taken harsh words from his mentor Prakash Padukone in a positive way.
Lakshya, who lost to Lee Zii Jia in the bronze-medal playoff, has gone back to his training base and it was none other than the Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy (PPBA), which has been Laskhya’s permanent base since he was 10.
Prakash took the 22-year-old Lakshya to task after losing to Zii Jia 21-13, 16-21, 11-21. He won the first game 21-13 and was leading the second 8-3 before he lost his footing.
Lakshya, in a recent tweet said he was back in Bangalore to begin training again at the PPBA and also gave a glowing tribute to the centre and Prakash.
“I’m back in Bangalore and all set to resume my training at my home base at the PPBA after a memorable Olympic journey,” said Lakshya.
“They say it takes a village to raise a child and I have literally grown up as a person and an athlete at the academy.
“I would like to thank my mentors Prakash sir and Vimal (Kumar) sir, my father (D.K. Sen), all the other coaches, physios, association and sponsors for playing an important part in fuelling my Olympic dream.
“There are no words to express the role my family has played and they remain my biggest strength.
“I have so much more to learn at PPBA and, hopefully, lot more to offer to this beautiful sport of badminton.
“The fire burns brightly within me.”
Prakash had highlighted the fact that the Indian athletes were regularly finishing fourth and this had to stop and they must also stop blaming the association and the government and take responsibility for their performance.
Likewise, he also said that Lakshya shouldn’t use his age as an excuse and must step up and deliver.
The netizens, including former Olympic champion shooter Abhinav Bindra, women’s doubles international Ashwini Ponnappa and one of Bollywood’s leading star Ranveer Singh, had supported Lakshya but the player had remained silent.
He showed respect for Prakash and also his coach Vimal, and has headed with a positive mindset to PPBA to continue his preparations for the upcoming tournaments in the Badminton World Federation (BWF) tour.
The Japan Open in Yokohama from Aug 25-28 will be world No. 16 Lakhsya’s next tournament.
