The Indian contingent’s performance at the Paris Olympics has left the nation disappointed, with the athletes securing just six medals. The outcome has drawn sharp criticism from various quarters, including from former Indian cricket captain Sunil Gavaskar and renowned badminton coach Prakash Padukone.
Sunil Gavaskar has not held back in expressing his dissatisfaction with the athletes’ performances. He questioned the accountability of the players, saying, “If no player will take responsibility for his performance, then who will?” Gavaskar’s remarks highlighted a perceived culture of excuse-making, stating, “People in India know how to make excuses. If there was a competition for this, we would have won gold every time.”
Prakash Padukone, who has always maintained a low profile, also spoke out after the Olympics, which stirred up significant controversy. Padukone emphasized the extensive support and facilities available to today’s athletes, pointing out that both the federation and the government back the players. He stressed that with such resources at their disposal, it is only fair that athletes take ownership of their performances. “In today’s era, athletes receive all kinds of support, from training to financial backing. It is their responsibility to deliver results on the international stage,” Padukone asserted.
However, Padukone’s comments were met with criticism by some, who felt his timing was off. Despite this, Sunil Gavaskar stood firmly in support of Padukone’s statements, arguing that it was crucial to address such issues publicly when athletes were searching for excuses. Gavaskar remarked, “What did he say wrong? People say his timing was wrong, but it’s best to say this when the player is looking for an excuse. Public criticism can have a significant impact on athletes.”
The discourse surrounding accountability and responsibility in Indian sports has reignited, with both Gavaskar and Padukone urging athletes to introspect and step up their game on the global stage.
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