The Badminton Association of India (BAI) has announced an investment of over ₹10 crore in the development of badminton as a sport. Bringing in the needed training and nurturing the new talents of today, the investment will foster badminton as a global powerhouse. Within the investment, BAI has allocated ₹73 Lakh to retain former top Indian players as coaches to strengthen the National Coaching Ecosystem (NCE).
Besides this, ₹2.22 Cr has been allocated to Boost Player Motivation for Medal-Winning Performances at the Marquee International Events. The big initiative taken this time is BAI’s commitment towards building a world-class ecosystem in badminton.
BAI’s previous initiatives involve the establishment of the National Centre of Excellence in Guwahati in the year 2023. This year’s initiative was taken under the chairmanship of President Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma at the Association’s Annual General Body meeting (AGM) held in New Delhi on Saturday.
As per the meeting, BAI will invest INR 9.75 crore for grassroots initiatives, INR 3.8 crore as the total prize pool and grant allocation for the national tournament stands. Financial provisions include INR 1 lakh per month allocated to Olympians and INR 50,000 per month to coaches. These coaches, however, have represented the Indian team in international events but are currently coaching in the National Camps.
“But given the size of our country, one NCE was never going to be enough, and hence we are providing grants to state associations to come up with development across the state, and the current increase in grants will help them enhance their existing programs,” says BAI president Himanta Biswa Sarma.
Since the start of this year, the annual grant to state associations has increased from INR 7.5 lakh to INR 10 (ten) lakh. The prize money for national ranking tournaments for all age groups is now doubled. INR 1.5 lakh to U-13 events, INR 2 lakh for organisers of Senior and U-19 ranking tournaments and INR 3 lakh to organisers of Under-15 and Under-17 All India ranking events.
Rs 10 lakh for senior national ranking tournaments, INR 8 lakh for U-19 national ranking, INR 12 lakh for U-15 and U-17 national ranking and INR 6 lakh for U-13 national ranking events.
National Championships total grant and prize money also saw a change from INR 2.13 crore to INR 3.2 crore. A special provision of cash rewards is also introduced for a player’s excellence internationally. INR 10,00,000 for a player or a pair winning the BWF World Tour Super 1000 title. INR 20,00,000 for a world championships gold medallist. Junior or young players winning gold in World and Asian championships will receive INR 15,00,000 and INR 10,00,000 respectively.
Major investment decisions taken by BAI during the AGM:
Increased Annual Grant to State Associations
Previous Grant: Rs 7.5 lakh per year
Revised Grant: Rs 10 lakh per year
Additional Grant for organising National Ranking Tournaments
Senior Ranking: Rs. 2,00,000
U-19 ranking: Rs 2,00,000
U-15/U-17 ranking: Rs 3,00,000
U-13 ranking: Rs 1,50,000
The total investment in all the National Championships has also been increased by 50 percent.
National Championships—Prize Money and Grant Allocation (Tournament)
Previous Total Grant and Prize Money
Senior Nationals
Rs 75 lakh
Junior (U-19) Nationals
Rs 35 lakh
U-15/U-17 Nationals
Rs 40 lakh
U-13 Nationals
Rs 25 lakh
Rs 30 lakh
U-11 Nationals
Rs 5 lakh
Veteran Nationals
Rs 33 lakh
Total = Rs 213 Lakh
Revised Total Grant and Prize Money
Senior Nationals
Rs 1 crore
Junior (U-19) Nationals
Rs 70 lakh
U-15/U-17 Nationals
Rs 75 lakh
U-13 Nationals
Rs 30 lakh
U-11 Nationals
Rs 7 lakh
Veteran Nationals
Rs 38 lakh
Total = Rs 320 lakh
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