Prakash Padukone conferred Lifetime Achievement Award by BAI

New Delhi, January 29: Indian sporting legend Prakash Padukone urged all players past and present to come together and work towards the development of the sport in an emotional speech while receiving the Badminton Association of India's first Lifetime Achievement Award at a glittering function here on Monday.

Many congratulations to #prakashpadukone sir for Lifetime achievement award and also had a lovely time with the family n with one of my favourite @deepikapadukone 😍😘
#lovelymoments#selfietime#favorite#deepikapadukone😍#lifetimeachievementaward#prakashsir🙏🏻# pic.twitter.com/bcfEl8mBiR

— Pvsindhu (@Pvsindhu1) January 29, 2018

Padukone, who stepped up to receive the award to a rapturous applause, said "Don't say what badminton can give you, instead ask what you can do for badminton," he said.

While dwelling upon his successes, Padukone said: "I did not play for money, rewards or recognition. I played for the love o the game."

Instituted by the Badminton Association of India, Padukone received the award from India’s Vice-president Venkaiah Naidu in the presence of his entire family, his close friends, top officials of the BAI and a number of past and present players.

Also delighted to confer the Life Time Achievement Award to legendary Badminton player Shri Prakash Padukone. He is a huge inspiration to all the aspiring sportsmen and women in the country. @bwfmedia pic.twitter.com/dTSXBriv3Y

— VicePresidentOfIndia (@VPSecretariat) January 29, 2018

The august gathering rose to its feet to give the 63-year-old a spontaneous ovation, acknowledging his achievements as a player and his contribution to the sport in various ways.

One of the first superstars of Indian sport, Padukone has been the flag-bearer of Indian badminton. At a time when Indian successes on the international stage were few and far between, he conquered the best and rose to become the World No. 1 in the 80s.

Actress Deepika Padukone gets emotional during presentation of BAI's Lifetime Achievement Award to her father Prakash Padukone at a function in New Delhi (Photo: PTI) pic.twitter.com/VtoPdXPZ7H

— Business Standard (@bsindia) January 29, 2018

He reached the pinnacle of his career in 1980, claiming the Danish Open, the Swedish Open and the highly coveted All-England Championship one after the other.

Post his retirement from the sport, Padukone donned various hats, including that of an administrator, a coach and went on to start a badminton academy to pass on his expertise to budding players.

A gentleman to the core, his humble nature is another endearing feature of his personality.

Terming Padukone as a "grand legend of a great game," the Indian vice-president Venkiah Naidu lauded his achievements, which he said were the result of "sheer grit, determination and passion."

He believed the felicitation will be an inspiration to all the young players. "This is a felicitation that is based on talent and merit. I'm sure this felicitation will inspire others to do well," he said.

Vice President @MVenkaiahNaidu conferred life time achievement award to badminton player #PrakashPadukone, says he loves to play #badminton.#AIRVideos: Shasank pic.twitter.com/kdqBEfBh6u

— All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) January 29, 2018

“Mr Padukone, you have been a trendsetter and path-breaker in Indian sport in many ways. You were the first Indian to conquer the world, beating many legends on your way to the top. You, of course, not only overwhelmed each of them on the court but also won them over off it,” BAI President Hemanta Biswa Sarma said, while praising Padukone’s glorious career at the function.

Prakash was virtually unbeatable at home, claiming the National title consecutively for nine years. He won the state junior title when he was barely 9 years old. At 16, he achieved the rare double of taking, both, the junior and senior national titles, all in the same day.

On the occasion, Anup Narang, General Secretary, Badminton Association of India revealed plans to have similar felicitations for other Indian heroes in future. “We will be continuing the tradition of honouring the badminton greats with Lifetime Achievement Award every year. Our aim is to reach out to the former players and ensure they are lauded for their contribution to Indian badminton.”

1/In the august presence of Sri @MVenkaiahNaidu ji, it was indeed heartening to note the sterling contributions of Shri Prakash Padukone, who took Indian #badminton to great heights at international level. @BAI_Media is delighted to confer on him the Lifetime Achievement Award. pic.twitter.com/JzTzkBAU1Z

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) January 29, 2018

The 1965 Asian Championship gold medallist Dinesh Khanna, 1982 Asian Games bronze medallists Partho Ganguly and Leroy D’Sa, who also partnered Padukone to win three national doubles titles (1973, 76 and 77), Davindar Ahuja, who Padukone defeated for his first national title in 1971, Uday Pawar, Madhumita Bisht, Vikram Bisht and host of friends were also present during the occasion.