The Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy (PPBA) is now well into its sixth year of operation. The PPBA is sponsored by BPL Limited, one of India’s largest diversified conglomerates which has products in entertainment electronics, home appliances, soft energy, and telecom products and services. The objective of the academy is to raise the standard of the national level players of the country to international level. Prakash Padukone is a former World No. 1 badminton player and is the winner of many international titles including the All-England Open. He is one of India’s most well-known sportsmen and is held in high regard throughout the country – he is also an IBF council member. At present the Academy has sixteen trainees who undergo an integrated programme of coaching, training, practice, strategy sessions, etc. Deserving students are provided financial support so that they can dedicate themselves to reach their maximum potential. Besides Prakash himself, the academy has the services of four other coaches. Among them are Mr. Vimal Kumar, a former top-international badminton player and Mr. Beedu, an internationally trained physical conditioner. The Academy has already brought players to prominence such as Aparna Popat, World Junior Ladies’ Singles Runner Up and Gopichand who recently won the 1999 Open de Toulouse and Scottish Opens. The Academy also accepts players (Indian or International) for short intensive coaching programmes, which are formulated to advance the long-term goals of the individual player. There is also has a centre in Pune (acknowledged by many as the origin of the game of badminton), dedicated to grooming talented younger junior players. For more information please visit http://www.intbadfed.org