Prakash Padukone
Founder – PPBA
Indian sporting legend and the visionary behind the Academy’s successful inception, Prakash Padukone lends much more than just his name to the Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy.
Prakash has won several awards such as the prestigious Arjuna Award in 1972 and the Padma Shri in 1982 in recognition of his outstanding achievements in the world of badminton. Some of his feats include:
- World Rank No. 1 (1980-81)
- First Indian to win the prestigious All England Badminton Championships (1980)
- First World Open Prize Money Badminton winner at Royal Albert Hall,London (1979)
- World Cup winner, Kuala Lumpur (1981)
- Gold Medalist at Commonwealth Games, Edmonton (1978)
- Ranked in the top 5 in the world for over 5 years
- Won the Senior Nationals titles consecutively for 9 years
- Bronze Medalist at Asian Games, Tehran (1974)
- Bronze Medalist at World Championships, Copenhagen (1983)
- English Masters (1978); Danish Open (1980); Swedish Open (1980); Dutch Open (1982); Hong Kong Open (1982)
Vimal Kumar
Co-Founder, Director and Chief Coach of the PPBA
Former National coach and Badminton luminary, Vimal Kumar brings with him a wealth of experience and skill to the Academy. His impressive credentials include:
- Chief National Coach (2003-2006)
- Official coach for International Badminton Development Programme
- Instructor for IBF World Badminton Academy
- Malaysia (1999); Cape Town (2000); Auckland (2001); European Summer School, Germany (2006)
- Chairman, Badminton Development Committee, Karnataka.
- National Champion (’89 & ’90)
- Asian Games Bronze Medalist, Seoul ‘86
International Wins
- Welsh Open (’87 & ’90); French Intl. ( ’83 & ’84); Strasbourg Intl. (’90 & ’91)
Represented India
- Asian Games (’86 & ’90); Commonwealth Games (’90); Olympics (’92)
- Highest World Ranking: 19 (’88-’89)
Vivek Kumar
Co-Founder of PPBA
Instrumental in conceptualizing and setting up the Academy – Vivek Kumar is a seasoned Badminton expert with an astute business mind. His achievements include:
- Karnataka State Champion for 3 consecutive years (1990-1992) and represented the State for more than 10 years
- Represented India at a junior level tournament in Russia in 1987
- Started his business career at the age of 21 and has experience in the manufacturing, distribution, retail and service industry.
