Paris Olympics: The Badminton world divided over Prakash Padukone's statement, Ponnappa expressed disagreement; Jwala supported

Lakshya Sen lost an 8-3 lead in the second game after winning the opening game on monday to Malaysia's Lee Zii Jia 21-13, 16-21, 11-21 and missed out on a bronze medal, after which Prakash Padukone criticized the players' efforts. After the disappointing performance of indian badminton players in the paris olympics, differences are now emerging in the badminton community over the statement of legendary player Prakash Padukone. The criticism of the players' efforts by legendary player Prakash Padukone after Lakshya Sen's shocking defeat in the bronze medal match has divided the badminton fraternity. Doubles player ashwini Ponnappa said that his comments are like blaming others to avoid accountability. However, legendary player jwala gutta has supported Prakash Padukone's words.

What did Prakash Padukone say?

Sen lost an 8-3 lead in the second game after winning the opening game on monday to lose 21-13, 16-21, 11-21 to Malaysia's Lee Zii Jia and miss out on a bronze medal. Shocked by Sen's coming under pressure, veteran Prakash Padukone had on monday said it was time for players to learn to handle pressure, be accountable, and start delivering results after getting full support from the government.

'Why not blame the coach for the shortcomings'?

Ponnappa, who along with her partner tanisha Crasto made a group stage exit at the olympics in women's doubles, did not agree with Padukone's comments. "It was disappointing to see this. If a player wins, everyone is ready to take credit. If they lose, how is it just the player's fault? Why not blame the coach for the lack of preparation of the players? They are the first ones to take credit for the victory," she wrote in an instagram story. Why don't they take responsibility for the defeat of their players? Winning requires a team effort and defeat is also the responsibility of the team. You cannot suddenly put all the blame on the player.

'The player should take responsibility'

Veteran Jwala Gutta, who won the World championship bronze medal with Ponnappa, however, supported Padukone's words. She wrote on instagram, "Yes, players can also take responsibility… why not? Players, when they win, receive prize money… do they share it with their coach or staff? If a coach is saying that players also need to take more responsibility after reaching a certain stage in the tournament, then the player should do so.

Saina-Parupalli came out in support of the players

Star badminton pair Parupalli Kashyap and saina nehwal believe that criticism is important, but it is not right to question the commitment of the players. He said in a post shared on instagram, "After the game is over in a few days, many tough questions will be asked of our indian Olympic team and it is right too. We failed when it mattered the most. It is our right to ask the players about it and criticize them, but we cannot question the commitment of all the 117 athletes representing the country. All of them have shed their blood, sweat, and tears to reach the Olympics.