New Delhi: India’s historic bronze medal finish at the Thomas Cup has once again highlighted the growing concern among athletes over the lack of recognition for achievements outside cricket. Star badminton player Satwiksairaj Rankireddy expressed disappointment over the indifferent reception the Indian team received after returning from Denmark despite securing a podium finish at one of badminton’s most prestigious tournaments.
The Indian men’s badminton team earned a bronze medal at the Thomas Cup, often regarded as the World Cup of badminton. The achievement followed India’s landmark gold medal victory in 2022 and marked another major milestone for Indian badminton on the global stage. However, according to Satwiksairaj, the accomplishment barely drew public attention.
He revealed that when the team arrived back in India, thousands of people were present at the airport, yet almost nobody recognised the players. The team had even created special matching T shirts featuring the Indian flag and Thomas Cup branding in an effort to celebrate the occasion together.
Satwik reflected on the sacrifices made by athletes to reach the top level, recalling how his parents struggled financially during his early years in the sport. He shared that loans were taken against his mother’s jewellery to support his badminton journey, adding that many athletes face similar hardships while pursuing international success.
The doubles specialist also spoke about the emotional impact of feeling overlooked despite being a Khel Ratna awardee and one of India’s most successful badminton players. He said it was painful to see social media influencers receiving greater recognition and privileges than accomplished athletes.
While clarifying that he was not comparing badminton with cricket, Satwik stressed the need for greater visibility and appreciation for other sports. He pointed out that badminton players face constant pressure to maintain rankings and compete regularly, making the sport physically and mentally demanding.
Alongside partner Chirag Shetty, Satwik has achieved several historic milestones, including becoming India’s first world number one men’s doubles pair and winning Asian Games gold. He warned that continued neglect of athletes could discourage future generations from pursuing sports seriously despite the sacrifices required to succeed at the highest level.
