PANAJI
In a landmark development for Goan sport, the Goa Badminton Association (GBA) announced a strategic collaboration with the Padukone School of Badminton (PSB) — founded by India’s badminton legend Prakash Padukone — to create a structured, long-term badminton development ecosystem in the State. The announcement was made at a special press conference held in Panaji, attended by GBA Executive Committee officials, and representatives from PSB, including T. Balan, Technical Director of the Padukone School of Badminton..
Welcoming the gathering, GBA President Manoj Patil described the collaboration as a defining moment for badminton in Goa, coinciding with the Association’s 60th anniversary year. “Over the past six decades, GBA has nurtured badminton from humble beginnings into one of the State’s most vibrant sporting communities. Today, we take a decisive step forward — not just to organize tournaments, but to build a sustainable system that consistently produces quality players, trained coaches, and efficient officials,” he said.
Patil explained that the collaboration with PSB was founded on a shared vision — to identify and nurture talent from the grassroots level, establish district academies, and eventually create a State-level High Performance Centre where Goan players can train alongside the best in India. He added that the initiative would leverage Goa’s world-class sports infrastructure and align with Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant’s vision to make Goa a hub of sporting excellence.
Prakash Padukone, addressing the media, expressed his appreciation for the initiative and lauded GBA’s professional and forward-thinking approach. “It is an honour for us to collaborate with the Goa Badminton Association — our first-ever partnership with a State badminton association. Through this tie-up, we aim to build a complete ecosystem from the grassroots to the elite level, starting from schools and panchayats, moving up to districts and the State,” Padukone said. He outlined PSB’s nationwide grassroots presence, with over 75 centres across India, and explained that PSB would bring its expertise in talent identification, coach education, and program design to the partnership. “We will help train PT teachers and coaches in Goa, provide them with certification, and ensure that the right fundamentals are taught at every level. Our approach will be gradual but consistent, ensuring that children are exposed to the sport early and given proper guidance to progress,” he added.
Padukone praised Goa’s infrastructure, calling it “one of the best among smaller states in India.” He emphasized that the key now was to channel this infrastructure toward player development. “Goa has the facilities and the passion — now it needs the structure. With the support of GBA, the Sports Authority of Goa, and the Government, I am confident this model will not only produce champions here but could become a blueprint for other states,” he remarked. He also highlighted the PSB’s Coach Education and Certification Program, which has already certified over 1,000 coaches at the grassroots level, and announced plans to upgrade Goan coaches through training programs in both Goa and Bengaluru. “Ultimately, the goal is to reverse the trend of Goan players leaving the State for better training — and instead, create an academy here that attracts players from all over India,” he concluded.
In his address, GBA President Manoj Patil reiterated GBA’s long-term vision. “This collaboration is not just about training players — it is about creating a badminton culture in every Goan village and school. We will be launching a ‘Shuttle Time’ initiative to introduce badminton in schools, giving every child the chance to experience the sport. From there, we will identify talent, nurture them through district and State programs, and support them through structured pathways. With PSB’s technical guidance, we are confident that this model will make Goa one of India’s most vibrant badminton hubs,” he said. Patil also noted that GBA is actively seeking CSR partnerships and government collaboration to ensure sustained financial support for the project.
