Hosting two BWF international challengers in the country, appointing 30 coaches on its payroll and holding national championships for the under-11 category are some of the important decisions taken by the Badminton Association of India keeping in mind the 2028 Olympics.
The decisions were taken during the Executive Council meeting coming closer to India’s sensational Thomas Cup win in Bangkok, Thailand on Sunday.
India beat Indonesia 3-0 in their first ever summit clash to register a historic win.
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BAI Secretary Sanjay Mishra said, “We have to ensure that we do not lose momentum and during the Election Commission meeting it was decided that India will host two BWF International Challengers in the country.
“It has been approved by our (BAI) president and we will write to BWF soon and we hope to get it, which will give a big boost to the players.”
A total of 31 International Challengers tournaments take place in a year, with India hosting only one of them in 2022.
This is the Infosys Foundation India International Challenge 2022, which will be held in Bengaluru from October 11 to 16.
India, however, hosts three BWF World Tour events in the country – Odisha Super 100, Syed Modi Super 300 and India Open Super 500 tournaments.
It aims to provide exposure to the next crop of players which in turn helps them manage the skyrocketing expenses of playing tournaments on the European circuit.
“Around 40-45 players play these international challengers in Europe and other parts of the world and spend around Rs 2-4 lakh, not everyone can afford,” Mishra said.
“So hosting international challengers in the country will give them exposure and help them raise their ranking points so that they can get entries into bigger events and play against quality players.”
“The Paris Olympics are just two years away, so we have to target the 2028 Olympics. So all these steps have been taken keeping in view the future.
BAI has also decided to boost its coaching panel by recruiting 30 coaches and has also made a proper plan to enhance their skills.
“At least 30 coaches will be appointed under BAI payroll and they will be sent to various smaller regional centres. So former players and NIS coaches can apply and they will be given a salary ranging from Rs 50,000 to Rs 2 lakh,” said Mishra, who has worked as a former junior coach for India.
“The idea is to provide quality coaching in smaller centres. Also, for the development of these coaches, they will also do coaching courses once every year for one month at the national centers in Hyderabad and Bangalore so that they can improve their skills.
“We will soon ask the state secretaries to propose the names of two coaches from their states. We will send four such coaches to national centers for two weeks, so that they can impart those lessons in their respective states.”
Among other plans, the BAI secretary said that it will also host the Under-11 National Championship soon.
“We will be hosting the Under-11 National Championship and it will be telecasted live on DD so that the youth living in different parts of the country are inspired to take up the sport.”
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