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Indian badminton officials express outrage over the decision to drop the sport from the 2026 Glasgow Games.
The announcement that badminton will no longer be part of the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow has sparked outrage among Indian sports leaders. The exclusion has left the Badminton Association of India (BAI) and key figures in the sport expressing deep concern about the impact on Indian athletes and the country’s sporting achievements.
Sanjay Mishra, General Secretary of BAI, described the decision as a major blow to Indian sports. “It’s shocking and a huge setback for Indian sports, with nearly 40 medals at risk from the dropped events,” said Mishra. He voiced his suspicion that the exclusion might be part of a larger effort to undermine India’s growing influence in international sports. “This isn’t just a loss for sports and sportspersons; it feels like a conspiracy to sideline India’s rising sporting potential in the region.”
Mishra emphasized that the BAI is not going to remain silent on this issue. “The Badminton Association of India stands firmly in protest and will be reaching out to all relevant authorities at the Commonwealth and BWF, as well as the highest levels of government in the country, to advocate for the future of Indian sports,” he said.
Pullela Gopichand, former player and current Chief National Coach of India’s badminton team, expressed his disappointment over the decision, calling it a move that could hinder the growth of badminton globally. “I am deeply appalled and disappointed by the decision to exclude badminton from the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow—a judgment that appears aimed at stunting the progress of nations like India,” said Gopichand.
Gopichand highlighted the success that badminton has brought to India, both in terms of medals and global recognition. “Badminton has brought us immense pride and success, serving as a vital platform for our brightest talents to shine on the international stage,” he said. He added that this decision lacks clear reasoning and poses a threat to the growth of the sport worldwide. “It is crucial that we raise our voices and bring this issue to the appropriate authorities to ensure badminton continues to thrive and inspire future generations.”
Both Mishra and Gopichand stressed the importance of scrutinizing the reasons behind the exclusion and called for a united effort to reverse the decision. “As the sport experiences exponential growth globally, the reasons for its exclusion must be scrutinized and discussed with the relevant stakeholders,” Gopichand said. “We cannot allow such shortsighted decisions to undermine the progress we have tirelessly achieved.”
The Indian badminton community now hopes that their protests will lead to the reinstatement of the sport in the 2026 Commonwealth Games, ensuring that Indian athletes continue to have the opportunity to compete on this prestigious international stage.
image credit: propakistani.pk
