Pullela Gopichand, the chief coach of Indian badminton, expressed his disappointment with the Commonwealth Games Federation’s decision to exclude badminton from the Commonwealth Games 2026, scheduled to be held in Glasgow, Scotland.
“I am deeply appalled and disappointed by the decision to exclude badminton from the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow—a judgment that appears aimed at stunting the progress of nations like India,” Gopichand said in a statement posted by the Badminton Association of India (BAI) on Instagram.
The CGF excluded nine sports, part of the Birmingham Games in 2022, and announced a ten-sport programme for the Glasgow Games.
Badminton is one of the most successful sports for India at the Commonwealth Games, with India winning 31 medals in the sport at the Games, including 10 gold, eight silver and 13 bronze.
In the Birmingham Games, India won three gold medals in men’s and women’s singles as well as the men’s doubles events, with Lakshya Sen, PV Sindhu, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty emerging triumphant.
India also won mixed team silver and bronze medals in men’s singles (Kidambi Srikanth) and women’s doubles events.
“Badminton has brought us immense pride and success, serving as a vital platform for our brightest talents to shine on the international stage,” added Gopichand.
The former All England Open champion turned coach said India should raise its voice and take the matter with ‘appropriate authorities’ to ensure badminton continues to thrive.
“This decision represents a significant lapse not just for Indian badminton, but for the sport worldwide, lacking clear reasoning and jeopardizing its growth. It is crucial that we raise our voices and bring this issue to the appropriate authorities to ensure badminton continues to thrive and inspire future generations,” said Gopichand.
“As the sport experiences exponential growth globally, the reasons for its exclusion must be scrutinized and discussed with the relevant stakeholders. We cannot allow such shortsighted decisions to undermine the progress we have tirelessly achieved,” he added further.
‘BAI will reach out to relevant authorities’: Mishra
Meanwhile, Sanjay Mishra, the secretary general of the Badminton Association of India (BAI), said, “It is shocking and a huge setback for Indian sports, with nearly 40 medals at risk from the dropped events.”
Along with badminton, CGF dropped hockey, wrestling, cricket, table tennis, squash, netball, and road racing, while shooting, omitted from the Games in 2022, continued to be ignored.
“This is not just a loss for sports and sportspersons; it feels like a conspiracy to sideline India’s rising sporting potential in the region,” added Mishra.
He also affirmed that the BAI will take the issue up with relevant stakeholders.
“The Badminton Association of India stands firmly in protest and will be reaching out to all relevant authorities at the Commonwealth and BWF, as well as the highest levels of government in the country, to advocate for the future of Indian sports,” said Mishra.