New Delhi: The Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy (PPBA) on Tuesday made it clear that it played no role in Saina Nehwal shifting from Gopichand Academy in Hyderabad to Bengaluru to train under Vimal Kumar ahead of the Rio Olympics, calling the move the "sole decision" of the ace shuttler. Gopichand, in a chapter titled 'Bitter Rivalry' of an upcoming book 'Dreams of a Billion: India and the Olympic Games', revealed how miserable he felt when Saina decided to join Padukone's academy to train under Vimal Kumar in Bengaluru after the 2014 World Championship. Gopichand also said he felt hurt that Padukone, Vimal and Olympic Gold Quest (OGQ) official Viren Rasquinha "encouraged her to leave Hyderabad".

"PPBA did not have any role to play in Saina Nehwal's decision to move to Bangalore and train at PPBA," Padukone academy said in a statement. "However, Vimal Kumar did help Saina in her slump period that saw her attain World No.1 ranking, besides getting silver medal at the All England Championships and World Championships." In the book, Gopichand also wondered why the legendary Padukone, India's first badminton superstar "never had anything positive to say about him". In response to this, PPBA said: "PPBA has utmost regard for Gopichand's contributions to Indian badminton as a player and a coach. We have also acknowledged Gopichand's contribution to his wards' successful performance at the world level and has always maintained good relations with him."