India's leading badminton player and two-time Olympic medallist P.V. Sindhu has highlighted the difficulties faced by Indian shuttlers after government funding support was not released for their recent European tournament campaign. The issue has triggered a debate over accountability, financial procedures and the responsibility of sports authorities towards athletes representing India internationally.
The controversy involves the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the Badminton Association of India (BAI). Despite the funding setback, Sindhu and Lakshya Sen went on to win their respective singles titles at the Hylo Open in Germany, demonstrating their determination to compete at the highest level.
Sindhu surprised by funding withdrawal
Speaking to The Indian Express, Sindhu said she was shocked when she learned that the funding support for the European tour had not been approved.
She explained that she had never faced such a situation before. However, she decided not to allow the financial uncertainty to affect her participation or preparation.
According to Sindhu, her priority was to compete in the tournaments, concentrate on her matches and continue improving her performance. She also managed some expenses independently, while Olympic Gold Quest (OGQ), which supports Indian athletes, provided additional financial assistance.
Her comments have brought attention to the financial challenges that even established international athletes can face when administrative and funding arrangements fail.
Badminton News
Four international tournaments affected
The funding issue affected India's European badminton campaign, which included four consecutive tournaments in Finland, Denmark, France and Germany.
The Sports Authority of India reportedly declined to release funding for the Indian contingent's European tour. Players were informed about the decision just days before the Arctic Open began in Finland on October 6, 2026.
The financial support was expected to cover important expenses such as international travel, accommodation, food and other tournament-related arrangements.
According to reports, the BAI informed players that accommodation would be arranged for the first tournament in Finland. However, for the remaining tournaments, players were expected to manage their travel, food, accommodation and other expenses themselves.
The situation also affected coaching support. Some players could not afford to take their regular coaches on the tour because they were already bearing their own travel and accommodation expenses.
During the French Open, Indian shuttler Ashmita Chaliha received support from fellow player Isharani Baruah, who effectively assisted her as a coach during her victory over Japan's Akane Yamaguchi. Tanvi Sharma also competed without her regular coach during the Denmark Open.
Badminton News -
Why did SAI withhold the funding?
The funding decision led to questions about whether the withdrawal was connected to India's performance at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya.
Some officials associated with badminton administration reportedly suspected that the decision could have been linked to the team's performance at the continental competition, where Indian shuttlers did not win an individual medal for the first time since 2014.
However, a senior SAI official rejected the suggestion that the funding decision was related to the Asian Games results.
According to the official, the funding was not released because the Badminton Association of India failed to submit the required proposal within the stipulated deadline.
SAI's earlier guidelines required national sports federations to submit proposals 90 days before tournaments without player names and 60 days in advance with the names. Following requests from federations, the deadline was subsequently relaxed to 30 days.
The SAI official said the BAI had still failed to submit the proposal with the required player details within the revised 30-day deadline. The official maintained that the same guidelines applied to all sports federations.
Badminton News -
Players will not receive reimbursement
Another important aspect of the controversy concerns reimbursement of expenses already incurred by the players.
A senior SAI official reportedly confirmed that funding support for upcoming tournaments would be restored. However, players would not receive reimbursement for the expenses they had personally covered during the previous four weeks of the European campaign.
This has raised concerns about the financial burden placed on athletes, particularly younger players who may not have personal sponsors or private financial backing.
During the European tour, six Indian players reportedly withdrew from the Denmark Open, seven withdrew from the French Open and nine pulled out of the Hylo Open. Financial difficulties were cited among the factors affecting participation.
The BAI's general secretary Sanjay Mishra did not respond to requests for comment from The Indian Express at the time of its report.
Badminton News -
Sindhu and Lakshya Sen deliver despite difficulties
Despite the funding uncertainty, Indian badminton players produced impressive results during the European campaign.
Sindhu reached the final of the French Open Super 750 tournament, where she lost to South Korean star An Se-young. Ashmita Chaliha also attracted attention with her victory over world No. 3 Akane Yamaguchi.
Anmol Kharb reached the semifinals of the Hylo Open, while Lakshya Sen ended his year-long wait for a title by winning the men's singles championship in Germany.
Sindhu also secured the women's singles title at the Hylo Open, marking her second title of the year. It was the first time since 2017 that she had won two BWF Super 500 or higher-level titles in a calendar year.
The victory also improved her prospects of qualifying for the season-ending BWF World Tour Finals and helped her return to No. 6 in the world rankings.
Badminton News
Accountability an support for young athletes
The funding controversy has once again highlighted the importance of transparent financial procedures in Indian sports administration.
While sports authorities need clear deadlines, documentation and financial accountability, athletes also require timely support to participate in international competitions. Administrative delays should not create uncertainty for players preparing to represent the country.
For young athletes in particular, international exposure is essential for gaining experience, improving rankings and preparing for major competitions. Unlike established players, many emerging shuttlers may not have personal sponsors or organisations such as OGQ to support their expenses.
The issue therefore raises a broader question about how sports funding should be managed so that administrative disagreements do not affect athletes' careers.
Sindhu's experience has brought this issue into sharper focus. Despite the difficulties, she has maintained that her attention remains on improving her performance and competing for India.
The episode serves as a reminder that investing in athletes requires not only financial allocations but also efficient administration, clear communication and accountability from the organisations responsible for supporting Indian sport.
Badminton News
