A big controversy has arisen in Indian badminton at this time. The sports world is shocked by the news of stoppage of government funding of two-time Olympic medalist PV Sindhu and star player Lakshya Sen. There are many rumors floating around on social media regarding this, but the real reason for this is the negligence of the sports administration and delay in paperwork. Let us tell you that PV Sindhu and Lakshya Sen had to go to play in Europe without funding. However, despite this, both these players traveled with their own money and brought glory to the country by becoming champions. So, let us know in this article what is this whole matter of stoppage of funding.
What is the whole issue of stoppage of funding of PV Sindhu and Lakshya Sen?
Recently, in October-November, a large group of Indian badminton players visited Finland, Denmark, France and Germany for four important tournaments in Europe. Just before the start of the tournament, the players came to know that the Sports Authority of India (SAI) had refused to release funds for this entire tour. After this, from senior stars like PV Sindhu and Lakshya Sen to junior players of the country, all the expenses of air tickets, hotel stay and food had to be borne from their own pockets or with the help of their personal sponsors.
What was the real reason for stopping government funding?
Contrary to rumors circulating on social media, the government did not withhold the players' money due to any resentment or budget crunch. The real reason behind this was entirely the delay in government paperwork. According to the rules of the Sports Ministry, the Badminton Association of India has to submit the list of players' names and the complete proposal to the Sports Authority of India (SAI) at least 30 days before any foreign tour or tournament. But the Badminton Association could not submit its documents on time. The association's argument was that the International Badminton Federation releases the final list at the last moment, which caused delay, but SAI took a strict stance and refused to pass the funds citing the rules.
Amidst this entire controversy, there was a strong discussion in the sports world that the performance of the Indian badminton team in the recently held 2026 Asian Games was very poor, due to which the Sports Ministry has taken this strict step. However, when the uproar over this matter increased, SAI officials made it clear that stopping the funds had nothing to do with the performance of the players. This was a complete administrative negligence, where funds were stuck just because the papers were not submitted on time.
Players struggle in Europe without money
Due to funding being stopped at the last moment of the tournament, Indian badminton players had to face immense mental and financial stress. Due to financial constraints and cut down on expenses, many players had to go to Europe without their personal coaches, physios and trainers. The problem was so big that during the matches, only his teammates were seen sitting at the corner of the court to guide the players. On the other hand, junior players who were unable to support themselves were forced to withdraw their names from big tournaments like Denmark Open, French Open and Hylo Open.
PV Sindhu's befitting reply to the government
After this controversy came to light, PV Sindhu wrote a very serious post on her social media account X regarding the sports system. Raising sharp questions on the system, he said, “Accountability and discipline are absolutely necessary. But supporting players is not looting or ruining the system, but investing in the future of Indian sports.”
Sindhu, while exposing a bitter truth of the sports world, also explained the huge difference in prize money between badminton and tennis. He told that like tennis players, badminton players also have to bear the huge expenses of traveling around the world, hiring coaches and physio. But there is a huge difference in the earnings of both the sports.
He said that in the Wimbledon tennis tournament, if a player is eliminated in the first round, he gets around Rs 85 lakh. Whereas on the contrary, the winner of 'China Open', one of the biggest tournaments of badminton, gets only Rs 1.1 crore, while the one who loses in the first round is given only Rs 1.6 lakh.
Sindhu said that she and big players like Lakshya Sen can meet the expenses from their sponsors or their own pockets, but what will happen to those 18-year-old rising youth of the country who are dreaming of becoming the next Sindhu or Lakshya and who do not have any personal sponsor?
Also read: Now double trade deal can happen between Rajasthan Royals and Lucknow Super Giants, new equation will be created between RR and LSG.