India’s badminton great Prakash Padukone will be conferred with the first Lifetime Achievement Award instituted by the Badminton Association of India for major contribution towards the game.
The announcement was made by BAI president Himanta Biswa Sarma on the sidelines of the BWF World Senior Championships in Kochi.
“This is the first time that BAI has come up with such an award as it is time we recognise the immense contribution of these stalwarts towards the growth of badminton in the country. No other name would have been apt but Prakash Padukone’s to confer the first award. A grand ceremony will be organised in New Delhi soon to felicitate him,” Sarma said.
Prakash Padukone is one of India’s greatest badminton players, represented the country at the highest level and brought laurels. He won the gold medal at the 1981 World Cup and the prestigious All England title in 1980. He also won the gold medal at the 1978 Commonwealth Games. Padukone was also the first Indian male to reach the World No 1 ranking.
He was bestowed with the Arjuna award in 1972 and the Padma Shri in 1982. Post retirement, he mentored young players and helped them in achieving their goals. He also served as the coach of the Indian national badminton team from 1993 to 1996.