PV Sindhu "Shocked" By Mid-Season Funding Cut, Sports Authority Clarifies: Sources

PV Sindhu was reportedly taken aback by SAI's decision not to release the funds on time.© BAI

A funding cut by the Sports Authority of India (SAI) forced star shuttlers PV Sindhu, Lakshya Sen and several others to cover their own expenses during the European leg of the BWF World Tour, according to sources. Sindhu and Lakshya put their disappointing Asian Games 2026 campaign in Aichi-Nagoya behind them by clinching the women's and men's singles titles, respectively, at last week's Hylo Open in Saarbrucken, Germany. There had been speculation that the funding cut was linked to India's poor performance in badminton at the Asian Games in Japan.

The Indian badminton contingent returned home from Aichi-Nagoya with just one medal, a bronze won by the men's team.

However, sources revealed that the funding cut had nothing to do with the performances in Aichi-Nagoya. NDTV has learnt that the non-release of funds by the SAI stemmed from the Badminton Association of India (BAI) failing to submit its proposal within the stipulated timeline.

SAI also alleged that the BAI has frequently blamed the agency for funding cuts, even though it is the federation that often fails to meet the deadlines for submitting the required proposals and lists.

"For years, Federations have sent last minute proposals and then put the blame on SAI," a source told NDTV.

Sindhu, who won her second BWF world tour title of the year last week, was reportedly shocked to know about the SAI's decision.

"When I got to know, I was a bit shocked and wondered how the funding hadn't gone through. I hadn't faced something like that before," Sindhu was quoted as saying by the Indian Express.

Sindhu said her sponsors covered part of her accommodation expenses, while she had to bear the remaining costs and other expenses from her own pocket.

"But at that point, I couldn't really decide that if there was no funding, I wouldn't play. For me, the priority was to participate and focus on what I needed to do, how I needed to play my matches and keep on improving. Obviously, it was surprising that we couldn't get the funding, whatever the reason may have been. I managed the funding on my own a bit and OGQ (Olympic Gold Quest, her backers) also helped me in this," he added.

It is also understood that the BAI agreed to arrange hotel accommodation for the players. However, the shuttlers have been required to cover all other expenses from their own pockets.

Featured Video Of The Day

Spain Vs Argentina | Dani Olmo On WC Triumph: 'Wanted To Set An Example For The Next Generation'