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SAI Grants ₹1.45 Crore Support for Indian Badminton Teams at Thomas & Uber Cup

The Sports Authority of India has sanctioned over ₹1.45 crore in support for the Indian badminton contingents competing in the Thomas and Uber Cup Finals in Denmark. The 34-member team includes top players like PV Sindhu, Lakshya Sen, and Kidambi Srikanth, along with emerging talent. India's men's team, drawn with China, Canada, and Australia, won the Thomas Cup in 2022, marking a historic first. The support package covers airfare, lodging, and a full support ecosystem under the TOPS scheme.

Key Points: SAI ₹1.45 Cr Support for Indian Badminton in Thomas & Uber Cup

  • SAI provides ₹1.45 crore support for Thomas & Uber Cup
  • 34-member Indian contingent includes PV Sindhu, Lakshya Sen, Kidambi Srikanth
  • India men's team drawn with China, Canada, Australia
  • Women's team faces Denmark, Ukraine, China
  • Thomas Cup 2022 champions aim for repeat success
2 min read

SAI extends support of over Rs 1.45 crore to Indian badminton contingents for Thomas and Uber Cups

SAI extends over ₹1.45 crore to Indian badminton contingents for Thomas and Uber Cup Finals in Denmark. PV Sindhu, Lakshya Sen, and others aim for glory.

"India had scripted history by winning the Thomas Cup in 2022, defeating Indonesia in the final to claim its maiden title - SAI"

New Delhi, April 23

The Sports Authority of India has extended comprehensive logistical and financial support worth over Rs 1.45 crore for the Indian badminton team's participation in the upcoming Thomas and Uber Cup Finals in Horsens, Denmark, scheduled from April 24 to May 3.

A 34-member Indian contingent, comprising 20 players, five coaches and nine support staff, has travelled to Denmark for the prestigious team championships, according to a press release.

Top names, including PV Sindhu, Lakshya Sen, Kidambi Srikanth and the doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, as well as emerging talent, are set to compete across both men's and women's teams. There are also several Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) Core and Development athletes in the lineup.

Indian men are drawn alongside Canada, Australia and China in the Thomas Cup, while the women team is drawn alongside Denmark, Ukraine and China in the Uber Cup. India had scripted history by winning the Thomas Cup in 2022, defeating Indonesia in the final to claim its maiden title, a landmark achievement that established the country as a global force in men's team badminton.

The Rs 1.45 crore support package sanctioned under TOPS covers airfare, boarding and lodging, visa costs, accreditation, daily allowances, food allowances, insurance and out-of-pocket expenses for all members of the contingent. SAI has also facilitated a full-fledged support ecosystem, including specialised coaches, physiotherapists, trainers, and masseurs travelling with the team.

The Thomas and Uber Cup Finals 2026 assume added significance in the broader roadmap of Indian badminton, especially with the sport not featuring in the 2026 Commonwealth Games programme. With India set to host the Commonwealth Games in 2030, badminton is expected to return as a key discipline in the centenary edition of the Commonwealth Games.

Thomas Cup 2026 squad: Lakshya Sen, Ayush Shetty, Kidambi Srikant, HS Prannoy, Kiran George, Satwik Sairaj, Chirag Shetty, Amsakarunan Hariharan, M R Arjun, Dhruv Kapila.

Uber Cup 2026 squad: PV Sindhu, Unnati Hooda, Tanvi Sharma, Isharani Baruah, Devika Sihag, Gayatri Gopichand, Treesa Jolly, S Kavipriya, Simran Singhi, Tanisha Crasto.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Finally, our badminton contingent is getting the logistical support they deserve. The Thomas Cup win was a game-changer, and now with players like Lakshya and Srikanth in form, we have a real shot at defending the title. Also, good to see women's team getting equal attention—Sindhu leading the Uber Cup squad is inspiring. Just hope the court conditions in Denmark suit our players. Best of luck to the entire team! 🏸✨
A
Arjun K
Happy to see SAI stepping up, but Rs 1.45 crore for a 34-member contingent sounds modest when you consider airfare, accommodation, and daily allowances for 10+ days in Denmark. Hope the players don't have to dip into their own pockets for anything. The 2022 Thomas Cup win was historic, but the real test is consistency. Let's see if we can repeat that magic against China again.
R
Rahul R
As someone who follows badminton closely, I'm thrilled! The Thomas Cup defense is crucial, and the Uber Cup team looks promising too. Unnati Hooda and Tanvi Sharma are emerging talents to watch. But I do wonder—why isn't badminton part of the 2026 Commonwealth Games? That's a big miss for our players. At least the 2030 CWG in India will bring it back. For now, all the best to the team in Denmark! 🏸👏
S
Sneha F
Love the support for our badminton heroes! But as a taxpayer, I hope the Rs 1.45 crore is just the start. We need long-term investment in infrastructure, training centers, and mental health support for athletes. The 2022 Thomas Cup win showed what's possible with proper backing. Let's not just fund the elite—let's build a pipeline from district level up. Good luck to the team! 🇮🇳🏸

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