The Paralympic Committee of India and Badminton Association of India has appointed Jharkhand's veteran sports administrator K.Prabhakar Rao as coach and manager of India's shuttle squad for the 2020 Paralympic Games to be held in Tokyo, Japan from August 24 to September 5.
Rao, secretary of Jharkhand Badminton Association (JBA) and joint secretary of Badminton Association of India (BAI) is the second sports administrator from the state to head to Tokyo as the member of the national contingent. Ranchi-based Madhukant Pathak accompanied the India athletics squad as a manager in the recently concluded 2020 Olympics Games in Japan.
A seasoned sports administrator, Rao said his appointment was a lifetime achievement and thanked BAI and PCI for the same."I would try my best to guide the para shuttlers. It's an honour for me to be appointed coach-cum-manager for a showpiece event," he added.
Rao, chairman of Para Badminton India, said he was optimistic of India claiming three medals, including gold, at the Paralympic Games.
Shedding light on his responsibilities as coach-cum manager, the bespectacled Rao said it would include conducting training, preparing practice schedule, see that shuttlers respect time (for training and matches), ensure presence of team physio and supervise food and travel arrangements.
He went to Haarlem, Netherlands for the Yonex Dutch Junior International in 2019 and Berlin, Germany for the Yonex German Junior International in March 2020.
Rao was the observer during All India Senior Major Ranking Championship in Bangalore (2013), 78th Senior National Meet in New Delhi (2013).All InJunior Major Ranking Championship in Bangalore (2016) and east zone in Madhubani (2013).
Rao has worked hard when it comes to channelising badminton activities across Jharkhand. A religious person, he keeps himself fit with yoga and shuttle.
The India para shuttle squad will be leaving for Tokyo (from New Delhi) on August 27).
Rao on Tuesday participated in a webinar when Prime Minister Narendra Modi motivated the Tokyo-bound para shuttlers.
