Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, May 6: India’s badminton stars have expressed disappointment over the lack of public recognition following their bronze medal finish at the prestigious Thomas Cup, with players saying the muted response has been disheartening.

Members of the Indian team, including Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, Chirag Shetty, Lakshya Sen and Kidambi Srikanth, returned home without any fanfare, with some even going unnoticed at the airport.

Speaking about the experience, Satwik said the team felt ignored despite wearing their Thomas Cup jerseys during their journey from Germany to Hyderabad.

“Nobody even asked us who we were or what we had achieved. There were many Indians on the flight, but everyone seemed busy with IPL or politics,” he said, adding that the situation was similar even after India’s historic gold win in 2022.

He described the moment at the airport as particularly disheartening, with players booking cabs on their own without any recognition. “It felt sad seeing top athletes standing there unnoticed,” he added.

Chirag Shetty echoed similar sentiments, saying while the team did not expect grand celebrations, the realisation that “nobody cares” was difficult to accept.

He noted that while badminton fans appreciate the sport, the wider public does not fully grasp the magnitude of achievements like the Thomas Cup medal.

The players also pointed to a broader issue, saying that sporting achievements beyond cricket often do not receive adequate attention in India.

Satwik further said the lack of appreciation makes it challenging for athletes to stay motivated, even remarking that he might not encourage his own child to pursue badminton professionally under such circumstances.

Despite the disappointment, the players said they were grateful for smaller gestures of recognition, including a felicitation at their training academy.

The remarks have once again sparked debate on the need to support and celebrate achievements across a wider range of sports in the country.