‘I Completely Agree…Players Need to Deliver’: Dinesh Khanna Backs Prakash Padukone’s

The truth may be hard to swallow. But, after multiple disappointments in the Paris Olympics, there is no option but to accept and embrace it. Former Indian badminton player Dinesh Khanna knows the same, as he stated his support for Prakash Padukone’s statements.

Much debate has arisen from Prakash Padukone’s rant following Lakshya Sen’s loss in the Bronze Medal Match at the Paris Olympics on Monday when the head coach went on to lambast athletes of the Indian contingent for their lack of effort to bring home Olympic glory.

“After Milkha Singh in 64′ and PT Usha in the 80s, we have so many fourth-place finishes. I think that it’s high time that the players also take responsibility. At least for the results in this Olympics and the previous one, you cannot hold the federations and government responsible for the results. They have all done whatever they can. Ultimately the responsibility is on the players to go and deliver when it matters the most,” Padukone stated in talks with reporters after Sen’s loss in the Bronze medal match.

Khanna, a 1965 Asian Championships gold medallist himself, echoed Padukone’s sentiments, emphasizing that the responsibility falls in the hands of the players themselves to deliver when the time comes, especially when their federations have done much to help them in the endeavour.

“I completely agree with Prakash Padukone’s comments. The government and federation are definitely providing a lot of help, there’s no doubt about it.

“Lakshya Sen is being trained by both Prakash Padukone and Vimal Kumar, and all his needs are being taken care of, but ultimately, it’s the player who has to perform on the field,” Khanna remarked.

Albeit all in favour of Padukone’s criticism, Khanna also shed light on the mental pressures that athletes at the highest level deal with, and how it can affect one’s performances.

“Players often come under mental pressure, and today, I felt several times that Lakshya Sen was playing under pressure.

“The Olympics is a very big platform, and for that, you have to play with composure and a cool mind. Holding your nerves is very important, and I think mental aspects are also crucial in these kinds of matches,” Khanna added.

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