‘High time our players step-up’: Prakash Padukone laments Lakshya Sen’s bronze medal match loss

New Delhi: Indian badminton player Lakshya Sen suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of Malaysia’s Lee Zii Jia in the men’s singles bronze medal match at the Paris Olympics 2024 on Monday. The 22-year-old, hailing from Almora, Uttarakhand, squandered a one-game lead as world no. 7 Lee found his way back right on time to register a (2-1) 13-21, 21-16, 21-11 win to secure the bronze.

The ongoing Summer Games are officially done with badminton as India signed off on the final day with a loss. Former Indian shuttler Prakash Padukone, who accompanied the contingent to the French capital as a mentor, wasn’t happy with their performances and lamented Sen’s loss after the match. In each of Sen’s matches, Padukone was seen sitting alongside his coach Vimal Kumar to guide him during the game.

Talking to the media persons outside the arena, Padukone was vocal about how the Indian shuttlers weren’t up to the mark despite being given optimum facilities by the government.

“All the support and finances that were needed to perform at the top level were given to the Indian players. It’s not like earlier times where our players lacked facilities and funds. So it’s high time our players step-up and win as expected,” he said.

“Government and federations have done their job. Players need to take responsibility and ask if they are doing enough. Same players have beaten these opponents in other tournaments. Vimal (Kumar) and I are not happy with the result,” he further added.

Lakshya Sen after the loss

Sen was crestfallen after the heartbreaking loss and could hardly speak while talking to the broadcaster. The youngster’s only silver lining in the Games was getting a first with his name as he became the first Indian male shuttler to reach the Olympic semifinals. After missing the bronze medal, Sen said, “I had my chances in the second set and could have definitely done better. But credit to him, he played a really good game.” Sen’s loss means that it would be the first time in 12 years that India will return home from the Olympics without a medal in badminton.

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 Prakash Padukone accompanied the Indian badminton contingent as a mentor at the Paris Olympics and was vocal about their failure after Lakshya Sen’s bronze medal match on Monday.  Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today