New Delhi, May 8: Indian badminton star Satwik Sairaj Rankireddy has addressed the misunderstanding surrounding his comments about the lack of a public reception for the bronze medal-winning Thomas Cup team.
The Indian team, which was the champion in 2022, secured a bronze medal in the 2026 Thomas Cup. However, upon their return home, there was no celebration for this achievement. Satwik shared two photos on social media: one of the team in Horsens for the tournament and another upon their return, captioning it, “This is how it started, this is how it’s going. It was observed that there was no grand farewell or welcome for the team.”
His remarks were interpreted by some as a personal grievance.
In response, Rankireddy stated, “In recent days, there has been significant attention on my comments regarding the lack of a reception for our Thomas Cup bronze medal. I am grateful for the overwhelming support and encouragement. I want to clarify my intention, as I see many people are missing the real point.”
He further wrote on social media, “My words were not meant for personal fame or to take credit for someone else’s success. I hold great respect for every athlete who brings glory to India, regardless of the sport.”
Rankireddy emphasized, “My message is very simple. We need to create a culture that promotes and celebrates every victory, big or small, whether it’s a World Cup medal or reaching the podium in a global championship like the Thomas Cup. Such moments come after years of sacrifice and hard work. Silence on these achievements is disheartening, not just for us but for future generations of Indian athletes.”
He added, “We don’t need money or a grand parade. We just want to know that our country is watching and acknowledging our efforts. Let’s come together to support all sports with the same passion and perspective. Next time, it should not be about who won more or less, but about celebrating everyone who wears the Indian jersey. Thank you for standing with me. Let’s continue to play for India.”
Earlier, during a press conference organized by SAI, Satwik’s doubles partner Chirag Shetty commented, “I feel that the way the victory in the Thomas Cup should have been celebrated was not done. Those who truly follow and understand badminton know how significant the tournament was, but the general public still doesn’t grasp the importance of the results. Sometimes, it saddens me.”
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