Report by Michael Rodrigues
Team Mangalorean Udupi

Udupi: "If you get satisfied in anything, including Badminton you cannot hope to achieve anything further", opined International Fame Badminton Player Prakash Padukone.

He was speaking with mangalorean.com correspondent on Saturday when he came  to grace the' 5- Star Ranking Badminton Valedictory function ' organised under the leadership of Udupi District Badminton Association.

"Badminton is becoming popular in the State too.  Badminton popularity earlier restricted to Bangalore is now gaining popularity in District Centers also.  Saina Nehwal's popularity has benefited the game", said Prakash Padukone, the International Badminton Star of yester years. "India can look forward to winning gold in Olympics for Badminton.  Saina Nehwal is in good form. She has won 2 tournaments at a stretch", he said.

"Our ancestors several years ago from Kundapur had settled in Bangalore.  I came to Padukone in 1994 once.  Now, no one of our family is living here.  Still, I have great regard for this place, by tagging "Padukone" to my name is indicative of that.  I have known that here too, there are good players.  Udupi Indoor Stadium is fit for National Level Sports also.  The Badminton Association should get ready to hold National Level Badminton Sport  in the days to come", he suggested.

Earning All England Badminton Championship 25 years ago is a great mile stone in Prakash Padukone's Badminton career.  Everyone is familiar with most popular Bolywood actress Deepika Padukone, daughter of Prakash Padukone. 

"Compared to the kind of encouragement given for sports elsewhere, Karnataka is lagging behind. The State has to do quite a lot for sports", he opined.

"Sportsmen get good facilities in the National Level.  Still some sportsmen are not showing much interest", Prakash Padukone regretted.