Pramod Bhagat, India’s renowned Paralympic badminton champion, has urged relevant authorities to take action against former head coach Gaurav Khanna for his public predictions regarding India’s medal tally prior to the recent Asian Para Games held in Japan. Khanna had made a social media post the day before the finals, forecasting a lower medal count for the para badminton team compared to the previous edition in 2022.

This post was later removed. In his prediction, Khanna estimated that India would secure 16 medals, including two gold, six silver, and eight bronze. Contrary to his expectations, India matched the overall medal tally but achieved three gold, five silver, and eight bronze medals, exceeding Khanna’s forecast by one gold medal.

Bhagat Questions Professional Ethics

Bhagat has voiced his concerns regarding Khanna’s decision to publicly announce these predictions before the tournament concluded, raising questions about the ethical implications of such actions. He stated, “Making public medal predictions by naming athletes a day before the conclusion of a prestigious tournament like the Asian Para Games is extremely unprofessional and ethically wrong.”

Bhagat emphasised that the Badminton Association of India (BAI) typically announces medal tallies only after tournaments, allowing athletes to compete free from preconceived expectations. Furthermore, Bhagat noted that this incident has attracted attention from athletes representing other countries, which he described as an embarrassing situation for the Indian contingent.

He highlighted the importance of maintaining a positive environment for athletes, especially during significant competitions. Khanna is currently associated with a badminton academy in Lucknow, where several of his students have competed at high levels. Bhagat’s call for action includes a request for the BAI, the Sports Authority of India (SAI), and other relevant bodies to investigate the matter and establish guidelines to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

Players Lodge Formal Complaints

On the same day, players formally lodged a complaint against Khanna with the Sports Ministry, SAI, and the BAI president and secretary general. They are seeking a thorough inquiry and appropriate disciplinary measures against the former coach. K Prabhakar Rao, the chairman of India para badminton, has also condemned Khanna’s actions, alleging that they placed undue psychological pressure on athletes. Rao intends to address this issue with the BAI to ensure suitable action is taken.

Bhagat, a six-time world champion, was among the athletes whose performances Khanna had predicted. Specifically, Khanna forecasted a silver medal for Bhagat in the men’s singles SL3 final, a match he ultimately lost to Nitesh Kumar at the Aichi-Nagoya Games. Bhagat expressed concern that such public predictions could create unnecessary pressure on athletes and influence public perception of their performances.

He remarked, “Every match is different, and no outcome is certain until the final point is played.” Bhagat emphasised that predictions of this nature can lead to negativity towards athletes who do not meet expected results. He stressed the importance of allowing athletes to approach competitions without additional distractions, particularly during crucial final matches.

Additionally, Bhagat questioned the appropriateness of publicly predicting outcomes for a final involving two Indian players, underscoring the need for neutrality in such situations. He pointed out that there is a longstanding practice in badminton to maintain neutrality when Indian players compete against each other, regardless of the tournament’s significance. Bhagat’s concerns highlight the necessity for clearer guidelines regarding public statements about athletes’ expected performances during major competitions.

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