BAI select Prakash Padukone as first recipient of Lifetime Achievement award

09/11/2017

Badminton Association of India has decided to honour Prakash Padukone with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his valuable contribution to the game. The association also decided that every year they will honour someone who has contributed to the development of the sport of badminton in India.

Padukone not only represented India in international tournaments but also managed to win medals for the country. He won the gold medal at the 1981 World Cup, and the prestigious All England title in 1980. He was even able to become the first player Indian player to become the World Number 1 in 1980. Later, he decided to contribute by helping and encouraging other players in the game offering his services as the coach of the Indian national badminton team from 1993 to 1996.

Now, BAI has decided to mark his contribution by conferring the first Lifetime Achievement award to him. The decision took place in the federation’s last executive meeting which was held in Bangalore.

"The decision to honour Padukone was taken at the core committee meeting of the association held here today," Himanta Biswa Sarma, the president of BAI, said as reported by PTI.

The 62-year-old Padukone was conferred with the Arjuna award in 1972 and the Padma Shri in 1982.

"He will be the first recipient of the lifetime achievement award. We will organise a function in New Delhi to honour him," he added.