HS Prannoy Highlights Lack of Recognition for Badminton in India
Recognition for Badminton Players in India
HS Prannoy has expressed concerns regarding the insufficient recognition of badminton athletes in India, echoing the sentiments of Chirag Shetty and his doubles partner Satwiksairaj Rankireddy. The duo recently led India to a bronze medal at the Thomas Cup, despite the team losing to France in the semifinals. Upon returning home, Chirag and Satwik shared images of their team on Instagram, lamenting, "Back home now. As usual, no one knows what happened over the past two weeks, and it seems like no one really cares." Their posts sparked a discussion about the lack of recognition for sports beyond cricket.
In an interview with Boria Majumdar, Prannoy acknowledged the support received from the government, the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), and the Sports Authority of India. However, he emphasized that the core issue lies in the public's lack of awareness regarding significant achievements in badminton, stating that many are unaware of the prestige associated with a Thomas Cup medal. "There has been a lot of discussion lately, and I want to clarify our stance. The Thomas Cup is akin to the World Cup for us. Historically, we have struggled in this tournament, often being eliminated in the group stages. Only a handful of nations have won the Thomas Cup, and we are among them, which underscores the difficulty of achieving this success," he explained.
Prannoy pointed out that during the Thomas Cup, media coverage was minimal. He reiterated that while they have received substantial support from various organizations, the narrative has shifted to imply that they are seeking more assistance, which he believes is misleading. He posed a critical question: if a bronze medal in the Thomas Cup isn't worthy of celebration, what future achievements will be recognized?
'If We're Not Winning Gold, That's Not A News' - Prannoy
Prannoy remarked that the high standards set by players like Saina Nehwal and P.V. Sindhu have created an environment where anything less than a gold medal is often overlooked. He urged the public to celebrate all victories, as gold medals are not guaranteed every year. "Saina and Sindhu have elevated the expectations for our sport. Now, if we don't secure a gold medal, it often goes unnoticed. We need to acknowledge our achievements, even if they don't reach that peak every time. After the Thomas Cup, all we asked for was recognition of our efforts," he stated.
He expressed concern that the lack of recognition could deter young athletes from pursuing badminton seriously. "When young players see us returning from the Thomas Cup without any buzz, they might conclude that the tournament lacks significance. This sends a negative message," Prannoy added.
When asked about the steps needed to elevate badminton's profile, he noted that cricket continues to receive acclaim even during dry spells, such as the gap between World Cup victories. He called for collective support from all stakeholders to ensure the sport's growth. "There was a long period without a World Cup win in cricket, yet the sport remained celebrated. My plea is for unity among players to foster the sport's development. We must not allow the current situation to persist for the next decade or so; we need progress for both players and the broader ecosystem. Let's celebrate our medals to inspire younger generations to value these tournaments," he urged.
'Badminton Will Become A Individualistic Sport'
Prannoy warned that if badminton does not receive the recognition it deserves, it risks becoming an individualistic sport, where only personal achievements are celebrated. "I won't comment on matters I'm not familiar with, but I hope those involved can find solutions. Otherwise, badminton may become like other sports where only individual medals are highlighted, similar to Neeraj Chopra's rise as a prominent figure due to his individual success. We need more athletes like him in the future. We fought hard to advance in the Thomas Cup and secured a bronze, but it feels undervalued because we previously won gold. We were ranked eighth in the tournament, which means our podium finish exceeded expectations, yet people dismiss it as 'just a bronze medal.' This situation is disheartening," he concluded.