Badminton Legend Prakash Padukone Hands Over the Reins to Focus on Grassroots Development

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After three decades at the helm, badminton icon Prakash Padukone has stepped down from the Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy (PPBA), which is now renamed Centre for Badminton Excellence (CBE). The 70-year-old legend will focus on his Padukone School of Badminton (PSB), a grassroots badminton initiative co-founded with his daughter, actress Deepika Padukone. According to CBE's head coach, U Vimal Kumar, Padukone had been contemplating this move for some time. Despite stepping down, CBE will continue to operate as usual, identifying and nurturing young talent. The academy, which has produced stars like India No.1 Lakshya Sen, will maintain its coaching team, including Vimal and international coaches. Meanwhile, PSB has expanded its presence across India, opening centres in several states. The initiative, which aims to develop badminton at the grassroots level, has Padukone as its mentor and former India shuttler Aditya Prakash as its head coach. Other Indian shuttlers, including PV Sindhu, will continue to train at CBE once they recover from injuries. Padukone's decision marks a new chapter in his badminton journey, with a focus on empowering the next generation of players.