Padukone School of Badminton Achieves Rapid Nationwide Growth in First Year
The Padukone School of Badminton (PSB), founded by celebrated actor and producer Deepika Padukone and mentored by her father, badminton icon Prakash Padukone, has made a significant impact on India's sporting landscape in its first year of operation. The organization has successfully established over 75 grassroots coaching centers across 18 Indian cities, including major hubs like Bengaluru, Mumbai, NCR, Chennai, and Pune, as well as several smaller cities. This rapid expansion is a testament to the organization's effective model and the high demand for quality sports education.
Vision and Future Goals
Driven by its core mission of "Badminton for All," PSB has set ambitious targets for its continued growth. The organization aims to expand its network to 100 centers by the end of the current year and has a long-term goal of reaching 250 centers within the next three years, by 2027.
Deepika Padukone, who has personally experienced the transformative power of the sport, shared her vision for the initiative. "As someone who grew up playing badminton, I’ve experienced firsthand how much this sport can shape one’s life – physically, mentally, and emotionally," she said. "Through PSB, I hope we can bring the joy and discipline of badminton to people from all walks of life."
Echoing this sentiment, mentor and advisor Prakash Padukone emphasized the foundational role of sports in personal development. "Sport is an integral part of growing up – it instills discipline, resilience, and a winning mindset that extends well beyond the court," he stated. "With PSB, our goal is to make quality coaching accessible and affordable, nurture talent from the grassroots, and set a strong foundation for the future of Indian badminton."
Scalable Coaching Model
PSB's vision is to democratize access to high-quality and affordable badminton coaching for individuals of all ages and skill levels. To achieve this, the organization employs a standardized and scalable coaching methodology developed under the expert guidance of Prakash Padukone. This approach ensures consistency and quality across all its centers.
The organization partners with schools, institutions, and existing venues to establish its grassroots academies. These local centers are designed to introduce a wide community, from schoolchildren to working professionals, to the sport. They also serve as a talent pipeline, feeding promising players into PSB’s three High-Performance Centres of Excellence located in Bengaluru.
A key component of PSB's model is the empowerment of coaches. The organization runs a structured certification program that has already trained over 100 coaches, providing them with access to cutting-edge facilities and a sustainable career path within the sporting ecosystem. This focus on developing coaching talent is crucial for maintaining quality as the network expands.
By successfully blending a celebrity founder's passion, a legend's expertise, and a scalable business model, the Padukone School of Badminton has created a powerful formula for growth. Its achievements in just one year indicate a promising future, not only for the organization itself but for the broader development and accessibility of badminton in India.
