New Delhi, May 22: Former doubles star Jwala Gutta has criticized the Indian badminton system, alleging it suffers from monopolistic practices, bias, and a lack of long-term vision for player development. She has also raised concerns about not receiving due recognition for her contributions to the sport.
In an exclusive interview, Gutta stated that the issues within Indian badminton run deeper than individual decisions. The Commonwealth Games gold medalist revealed that she has approached officials multiple times with proposals to contribute at the grassroots level through her academy, but has mostly been ignored.
“The entire system is problematic. It is completely monopolized. Everything is decided by just one person. For the past four years, I have been saying that I have an academy. Don’t give me under-19 or senior camps; give me under-13 or under-15 players. Include me too. The kids will play well, and then they will represent India,” she said.
According to Gutta, players training at her academy are often viewed differently due to her outspoken nature. “Anyone who trains at the Jwala Gutta Academy becomes a ‘rebel.’ That’s the image they have created for me,” she added.
The 14-time national champion emphasized her role in bringing recognition to doubles badminton in India. She argued that the opportunities today’s players receive are built on the foundation laid during her career.
“If I hadn’t won a medal at the Commonwealth Games in 2006, badminton players wouldn’t be prioritized. The exposure trips junior players are getting today are all thanks to the path I paved as a doubles player,” she explained.
Despite India’s increasing success in doubles badminton in recent years, Gutta believes the discipline still does not receive the attention it deserves.
Discussing the current state of women’s doubles in the country, she remarked, “No one is interested because they are just focused on their own games. They aren’t discussing how to improve the system.”
Gutta also candidly addressed the financial challenges of running a world-class badminton academy without institutional support. “My academy in Hyderabad is one of the largest in the country. I have 14 courts spread over 50,000 square feet, and I built it all by myself. Yet, I receive no help,” she stated.
When asked if she had reached out to the sports ministry for assistance, the former player admitted she had initially tried but felt that her image within the system worked against her.
“I made an effort at first, but their attitude wasn’t very good. My image isn’t favorable,” Gutta claimed.
She further argued that in the Indian sports landscape, image management and diplomacy often overshadow honesty and straightforwardness, especially for female athletes.
“My job is just to play badminton. That’s my straightforwardness. That’s why people talk to me; I speak plainly. I don’t hide behind anything, nor do I engage in nonsense. If I say I speak plainly, it becomes controversial. There’s a difference between a man and a woman. If I say that, it becomes controversial, and people don’t like it,” she expressed.
Gutta also voiced her disappointment at not receiving the Padma Shri award despite her significant contributions to Indian badminton. She believes that public image and PR often overshadow true sporting merit.
“I haven’t received the Padma Shri. If I were to send you my list of achievements, you would be surprised as to why I haven’t received it. Why am I not getting the Padma Shri? Because I didn’t do PR; I didn’t cry about poverty and struggle, even though I’ve experienced it all. I worked hard, training for 10 hours, but no one believes it because of how I look,” she lamented.
As the daughter of a Chinese mother and a Telugu father, Gutta noted that societal perceptions about appearance often dictate how female athletes are viewed. “If I like to color my hair and get manicures and pedicures, it’s interpreted that I’m not a serious athlete. That’s not my fault, but it’s the truth. Where did I fall short as a player? If anyone knows about doubles in India, honestly, it’s because of me; otherwise, no one would know about it. So, how much respect and recognition have I received? Even from the government? Let alone the association, I’m talking about the government. Why does it want to ignore me? I don’t know,” she said.
Reflecting on the mindset of her generation, Gutta mentioned that athletes believed that good performance would automatically lead to recognition. “We come from a generation that thought if you perform well, everything else will fall into place. My duty was just to play good badminton. I didn’t know PR was so important. If I had known, I would have danced to songs and made reels,” she concluded.
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