Headline: Deepika Padukone and Prakash Padukone Launch Badminton School, Aim for 100 Centres by Year-End

Bollywood superstar Deepika Padukone and her father, legendary badminton player Prakash Padukone, have embarked on a remarkable initiative to promote sports at the grassroots level through their ambitious project, the Padukone Sports Management. Their joint venture, the Padukone School of Badminton (PSB), aims to inspire the next generation of athletes by providing accessible, high-quality badminton training across India.

In just one year since its inception, the Padukone School of Badminton has already established 75 training centres in over 18 cities, including Bengaluru, Mumbai, Delhi-NCR, Chennai, Jaipur, Pune, Mysuru, Udaipur, Coimbatore, and Surat. These centres operate through strategic partnerships with schools, clubs, and local sports institutions, making it possible to train budding players at the grassroots level.

Now, the father-daughter duo has set their sights even higher — 100 PSB centres are planned to be up and running by the end of 2025. These centres are designed to serve as the foundation for talent identification and development, with selected athletes progressing to three high-performance academies located in Bengaluru. These academies focus on elite training and are managed by experienced coaches and former national players.

Deepika Padukone, who once trained to be a professional badminton player before turning to acting, shared her emotional connection to the initiative. In a heartfelt message, she reflected on how badminton played a crucial role in shaping her discipline, focus, and fitness. She expressed her desire to give back to the sport that had once been such an integral part of her life.

She said, “Badminton has given me so much — it taught me values that I still carry with me today. Through this initiative, our goal is not only to find and train champions but to make badminton a way of life for children across India.”

Her father, Prakash Padukone, who is widely regarded as one of India’s greatest badminton legends and the first Indian to win the prestigious All England Championship, emphasized the need to nurture young talent early. “We believe sport should be an essential part of every child’s life. With proper guidance, structured training, and access to quality facilities, India can produce world-class badminton players consistently,” he said.

The initiative has received support from schools, parents, and local authorities who see it as a much-needed step toward building a stronger sporting culture in India. PSB not only offers training programs but also conducts workshops, tournaments, and fitness camps to enhance the overall development of young athletes.

As India continues to make a mark in international badminton with stars like P.V. Sindhu, Lakshya Sen, and Satwik-Chirag, initiatives like this ensure the talent pipeline remains strong and diverse. The Padukones’ commitment to combining experience with vision reflects a deep passion for the sport.

By setting an ambitious goal of 100 centres, Deepika and Prakash Padukone are not just investing in badminton — they’re investing in India’s sporting future. Their efforts aim to make sport a vital part of education and lifestyle for young Indians, creating a healthier, more disciplined, and inspired generation.