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Published 14:49 IST, August 6th 2024

'First Ones To Take Credit For Their Wins': India's Paris Olympics Shuttler SLAMS Prakash Padukone

India's Paris Olympics shuttler has fired back at Prakash Padukone after the coach's criticism of the Indian Badminton Team failing to win a medal.

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Ashwini Ponnappa | Image: X/Screengrab
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India's Badminton campaign at the Olympics ended without a medal after Lakshya Sen lost to Malaysia's Lee Zii Jia in the bronze medal match at Paris Olympics men's singles Badminton. Post Lakshya's loss India's Badminton coach and mentor in Paris Prakash Padukone harshly criticised Indian shuttlers for failing to live upto expectations at Summer Games. 

Since then a huge controversy has erupted in Indian Badminton and as it turns India's Badminton player at Paris Olympics has fired back at the ciriticism of Prakash Padukone and said coaches need to be held accountable as well. 

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Prakash Padukone slammed for throwing Indian Shuttlers under the bus   

Prakash Padukone was a frustrated figure after Lakshya Sen's loss and decided to come out hard on Indian Badminton Contingent as he believed they had everything to get a medal at Paris Olympics

“I am disappointed that we could not even win one medal in badminton...This time the government…has done their bit…I think it is high time some of the players also need to take some responsibility,” Prakash Padukone said yesterday. 

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As it turns out, Indian female Badminton Player Ashwinin Ponnappa who announced her retirement after Paris Olympics has fired back at Padukone's criticism and slammed him for throwing players under the bus. 

"Disappointing to see this. If a player wins, everyone jumps on the bandwagon to take credit, and if they lose, it's just the player's fault?," asked Ponnappa on her Instagram story. 

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Ashwini Ponnappa on Padukone's criticism | Image: Instagram/screengrab/@p9ashwini

Also Read | Olympic Day 11 Live: India in action 

She further went on to slam Padukone saying that coaches also need to take their fair share of responsibilities when a player loses. 

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“Why aren't coaches held responsible for lack of preparation and getting the player ready? They are the first ones to take credit for wins; why not take responsibility for their players' losses as well? At the end of the day, winning takes team effort and losing is also the team's responsibility. You can't suddenly push the player under the bus and blame it all on the player,” said Ponnappa. 

Ashwini Ponnappa in action at Paris Olympics | Image: AP

Also Read | Manu Bhaker Reacts After Being Named India's Flag Bearer At Olympics

India for the first time since Beijing 2008 will be returning from the Olympics without winning a medal in Badminton. There were big expectations from the likes of stars like PV Sindhu and Satwik-Chirag but other than Lakshya Sen none could get past the quarters. 

14:49 IST, August 6th 2024