National Coaching Camps Kick Off for Indian Badminton Team Ahead of Major Championships

The Indian badminton team has launched three national coaching camps in Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Guwahati, funded by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. These camps aim to prepare top players for the upcoming Thomas Cup 2026 and other international competitions. Under the guidance of chief coach Pullela Gopichand, the camps will run until June 30, integrating expert coaches and trainers to enhance the players' performance. With a focus on teamwork and strategy, the camps include notable athletes like PV Sindhu and Lakshya Sen, setting the stage for future championships.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 5, 2026, 18:19 IST

Launch of National Coaching Camps

On April 10, three national coaching camps commenced, funded with INR 1.67 crore by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS). These camps are being held in Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Guwahati, just weeks prior to the Thomas Cup 2026, uniting the nation's elite badminton players in a high-performance training environment.

Recent Achievements

The Indian men's badminton team secured a bronze medal at the recent Thomas and Uber Cup, which occurred from April 24 to May 3 in Horsens, Denmark. The training camps are crucial for players like Lakshya Sen, newcomer Ayush Shetty, Kidambi Srikanth, and the doubles team of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, allowing them to practice together, refine their strategies, and enhance their competitive readiness.

Details of Camp Locations and Participants

The training sessions are taking place at the following venues:

Pullela Gopichand Badminton Academy, Hyderabad

Centre for Badminton Excellence, Bengaluru

National Centre for Excellence Badminton Academy, Guwahati

In Hyderabad, there are 13 male and 9 female players participating, while Bengaluru hosts 5 male and 5 female players. Guwahati has 4 male players and 1 female player. The camps are scheduled to continue until June 30.

Coaching and Future Aspirations

Under the leadership of chief national coach Pullela Gopichand, the camps are incorporating international coaches, physiotherapists, trainers, and analysts to foster a competitive atmosphere. The training also includes the Uber Cup team, featuring Olympic medalist PV Sindhu, Treesa Jolly, Tanisha Crasto, and others. The primary objective is to prepare the Indian Badminton Team for the upcoming Asian Games 2026, the Olympic Games 2028, and various international competitions organized by the Badminton World Federation and Badminton Asia.