'Can't suddenly push player under the bus': Ponnappa on Padukone's criticism

The legendary Prakash Padukones criticism of athletes efforts after Lakshya Sens shocking loss in the bronze medal playoff of the Paris Olympics 2024 has divided the badminton fraternity with doubles player Ashwini Ponnappa saying that his comments amount to throwing the player under the busSen on Monday squandered an opening game advantage and an 83 lead in the second to lose 2113 1621 1121 to Malaysias Lee Zii Jia in the Paris Olympics 2024 playoff missing out on a bronze medalWATCH Paris France On Indian shuttler Lakshya Sen losing the bronze medal match to Malaysias Zii Jia Lee in Badminton Mens singles at Paris Olympics former Badminton player Prakash Padukone says He played well I am a little disappointed as he could not finish ithellip pictwittercomBnaWQTHz0gmdash ANI ANI August 5 2024Disappointed by the loss his mentor Padukone said its high time that players learn to withstand pressure take responsibility and deliver results after receiving significant support from the governmentHowever Ponnappa who recently exited the womens doubles competition with partner Tanisha Crasto didnt agree with Padukones commentsDisappointing to see this If a player wins everyone jumps on the bandwagon to take credit and if they lose its just the players fault Ponnappa wrote in an Instagram storyWhy arent coaches held responsible for lack of preparation and getting the player ready They are the first ones to take credit for wins why not take responsibility for their players losses as wellAt the end of the day winning takes team effort and losing is also the teams responsibility You cant suddenly push the player under the bus and blame it all on the playerIn a stern message to Sen and other Indian Olympians Padukone had said We cannot remain satisfied just having one player We need to focus on the next line maybe even the third lineAnd a little bit of effort from the players also A little more responsibility a little more accountability Not just ask for whatever you ask for Once you are given that you also have to be accountable I think the players have to learn to take responsibilityAlso ReadThe bronze that got awayWomens doubles exponent Jwala Gutta who won a world championship bronze with Ponnappa supported Padukones stanceYes players can also take responsibilitieswhy not she shared in an Instagram postPlayers when they win get all the richesdo they share it with their coach or staff If a coach is saying that the players also need to take responsibilities after reaching a certain stage in a tournament the player should be held responsible as wellStar badminton couple Parupalli Kashyap and Saina Nehwal felt that while criticism is important one cant question the commitment of the athletesThere will be a lot of tough questions asked of our Indian Olympic contingent and rightfully so once the games are over in a few days time Yet again we have flattered to deceive Yet again we have failed when it mattered the most Saina and Kashyap shared in a post on InstagramThe duo conceded that not too many fingers can be pointed at the National Sports Federations right nowespecially if you look at the highprofile sports like shooting badminton and boxing they saidAnd while its our right to ask and criticise one thing we cannot and should not do is question the commitment of all 117 athletes representing our country All of them have shed blood sweat and tears to get to the OlympicsWith agency inputs