Prakash Padukone Urges Saina Nehwal to Consider Sports Psychologist to Succeed in Rio Olympics

Badminton legend Prakash Padukone says that in order to improve on the mental aspect, which he feels will play a vital role in clinching the gold at 2016 Rio Olympics, top shuttlers Saina Nehwal and P V Sindhu should engage the services of a sports psychologist at the earliest. (Prakash Padukone Worried About Lack of Depth in Indian Women's Badminton)

"I think Olympics is a test of mental character. Whoever is mentally strong will probably win the gold, not just in women's singles but in any sport. Olympics is a different ball game. You can win all the other tournaments, but if you are mentally not strong you can never win the Olympics," said Prakash in an interview.

"It's important that you prepare well mentally. I would advise Sindhu and Saina to focus a little more on the mental aspect and, if required, take the help of some sports psychologist, if they feel comfortable. But they should start right now because one month or so (before the Games) won't help. It would need six to eight months.

"If I was in their place I would probably take the help of a sports psychologist as all other aspects like specialist trainer, physio and coach are being taken care of. Some people believe, some don't that it might help. I believe so. Ultimately Olympics is a test of character. (Saina Nehwal to Stand for International Olympic Committee's Athletics Commission Elections)

"It does not matter how well you perform the week before or the week after, (but) you have to make sure you reach the peak during the week when the badminton event is happening. It's extremely difficult to predict who will win. The difference is so little at that level. Whoever is strong mentally will win the title," the 1980 All-England men's single champion emphasised.

Prakash is wary of predicting who, from among the Indian shuttlers, can finish on the podium at the Rio Games, but feels 2012 London Games bronze winner Saina and two-time World Championship bronze medal winner Sindhu have a better chance, having beaten all other top shuttlers at one time or the other.

"We have a good chance, specially in the ladies singles. The top two - Saina and Sindhu - have beaten all the top players at one time or the other. It may not be necessarily in the same tournament; that should happen now," said the Bengaluru-based Prakash whose academy is into its 21st year of existence now. (Could Have Won More Titles if I Was Injury-Free: Saina Nehwal)

"Of course, it won't be easy as everyone will be trying to peak during that period. It will be a draw of 32 and a lot would depend on the draw too," added the 60-year-old badminton great.

Best chance to win a medal at Olympics

For Parupalli Kashyap & Co. first challenge would be to qualify for the event before April 30.

© AFP

 

While not ruling out the chances of men, including senior shuttler Parupalli Kashyap who reached the quarterfinals in London, the former great said that the first priority for them was to qualify for the Rio Games, unlike Saina and Sindhu.

"They have the potential, but whether it happens will depend on them remaining injury-free, trying to reach the peak during that period and having a lot of self-belief. In men's singles, compared to women's, it's a little tougher as they have not beaten all the players.

"It does not mean they don't have a chance, but it will be tough. This is (also) the best chance we have. Initially for men, at least, the key for them would be to make sure they qualify before the April 30 cut-off. May be one or two may qualify. For women that issue is not there. For men, it's still open.

"It could be a tossup between K Srikkanth, P Kashyap, who is injured now, (H S) Prannoy and Ajay Jayaram, two (among these) have a good chance to qualify (for Rio Games)," said the 1978 Commonwealth Games singles champion.

Asked about the women's doubles combination of Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa, who have in the past won a bronze medal in the World Championship, Prakash felt the duo has an outside chance to finish on the podium.

"I would say (they have an) outside chance, unless there is drastic improvement. They need to put in a lot more effort in these last eight months. They have a lot more support now. OGQ's (Olympic Gold Quest, of which he is a co-founder with billiards ace Geet Sethi) support, TOP (Target Olympic Podium) scheme support, a specialist doubles coach etcetera.