Shuttlers face uphill task after BWF ‘downgrades’ India

HYDERABAD: The Badminton World Federation’s (BWF) recent decision to allot a lesser number of tournaments per year to India has raised questions about the country’s badminton ecosystem. In BWF’s revamped schedule for the 2027-30 cycle, India has been allotted only two events per year. Currently, India has been conducting two Super-100s (Odisha and Guwahati Open), the India Open Super-750 and the Syed Modi Super-300. From 2027 onwards, India will be hosting only the India Open Super-750 and Syed Modi Super-100, the latter having been downgraded from a Super-300 to Super-100 event. It is possible that the global outrage that followed the poor conduct of the Super-750 in New Delhi recently could be one of the reasons. Bird droppings on court, poor air quality in the Capitaland related withdrawals caused acute embarrassment. In addition, many blame this ‘down grade’ on India not having enough influence within the BWF council. A country like France, with not enough players or fans, has been allotted a Super-750 and Super-300 events. Powerhouses of badminton like China, Malaysia and Indonesia continue to get their fair share. China has been allotted a Super-1000, Super-750 and Super-100 while Hong Kong and Macau were allotted Super-750 and Super-300 tournaments. Malaysia got a Super-1000, Super-500 and Super-100. The case for Indonesia is similar. But India, which has been challenging the likes of Malaysia, Indonesia and Korea over the last 15 years appears to have clearly been handed a raw deal. BAI secretary Sanjay Mishra denied this argument and said that India has been offered a Super-1000 event. “We were offered a Super-1000 but since the tournament is over in 11 days and offers more prize money, we had to decline,” Mishra told TOI. “All the countries have got fewer tournaments. Even China got just three events. Since we are getting one Super-100, we thought it is better to have it in Lucknow as Syed Modi is one of our oldest events,” he said, adding that India will bid for the Sudirman Cup. “We are hosting the World championships this year and will decide on bidding for the Sudirman Cup next.” Yet this downgrade will have a clear trickledown effect that will hurt Indian shuttlers directly. Down from four to two and no Super-300 in the coming cycle would mean that Indian players now would have to struggle for ranking points by travelling to tournaments abroad, and that would mean having to spend more money. “There will be a lot less number of tournaments for the budding youngsters, definitely,” said Chirag Shetty, one half of the Sat-Chi doubles pairing. “Earlier, in the month of Dec, they used to have almost four tournaments in India itself. That window actually helps them save a lot of money. Now it won’t be possible for them to play as two tournaments have been scrapped,” he added. Consider this. If the players have to spend from their pocket, they usually need anywhere between Rs 70,000 to Rs 120,000 to play in a South Asian country and up to and over Rs 2 lakh to participate in Europe, usually Denmark or France. A player usually can make it to the main draw of a Super-300 or below if they are ranked in the top-40 in the world. “With the scrapping of the two tournaments, it will become very difficult for the players to get ranking points,” said Ramakrishna, father of Shreyanshi Valishetty, the Al Ain Masters champion. “An upcoming player needs these points to get entry into tournaments. Only if they get into the main draw will they receive sponsorship. Otherwise, it will be difficult to participate in international tournaments,” he added. An Indian shuttler who comes under the TOPs scheme stands to get sponsorship if they directly make it to the main draw. In addition, Kotak Mahindra sponsors two International Series tournaments in a calendar year for a few shuttlers. But with the BWF’s revamped schedule putting India out of the elite, it is only an uphill battle for India’s upcoming badminton players.