PV Sindhu urges continued SAI funding for Indian shuttlers after Hylo Open win
The two-time Olympic medallist called for financial support for younger players after India's badminton contingent self-funded its European tour.
PV Sindhu has called for continued financial support for Indian badminton players following a funding row over SAI's European tour assistance. She made the appeal after winning the Hylo Open in Germany.
Key takeaways
- Sindhu called for continued financial support for Indian shuttlers
- Indian players self-funded tournaments in Finland, Denmark, France and Germany
- Sindhu and Lakshya Sen won Hylo Open singles titles on Sunday
- Sindhu compared Wimbledon first-round prize money with badminton earnings
V. Sindhu called for continued financial support for Indian badminton players on Tuesday, Sportstar reported. The appeal came after India's shuttlers had to arrange their own funding for four European tournaments because the Sports Authority of India did not release assistance.
Sindhu and Lakshya Sen won the women's and men's singles titles at the Hylo Open in Germany on Sunday, News18 said. The funding row emerged after players competed in Finland, Denmark, France and Germany without SAI backing.
PV Sindhu news: what we know
Sindhu addressed the issue in a post on X, highlighting the gap between tennis and badminton prize money despite similar costs for travel, coaches, physios, trainers and support teams, according to Sportstar.
She wrote that a first-round exit at Wimbledon earns £80,000 while winning the China Open earns $140,000, but a badminton first-round loser receives just $2,000. Sindhu told The Indian Express that she was shocked and had never faced such a situation before.
A first-round exit at Wimbledon earns £80,000. Winning the China Open, one of badminton’s richest tournaments, earns $140,000. Lose in the first round? Just $2,000.
Sindhu acknowledged that established athletes should aim for financial independence but stressed that younger athletes often lack similar resources, Sportstar reported. She said organisations such as OGQ India are important because they support promising athletes, News18 added.
Why it matters
Pusarla Venkata Sindhu is an Indian badminton player who has won medals at the Olympic Games, World Championships and World Tour, according to Wikipedia.
She is the first and only Indian to become badminton world champion and only the second Indian to win two consecutive Olympic medals. Sindhu reached a career-high world ranking of number two in April 2017.
She also won the inaugural BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year award in March 2020, according to Wikipedia.
I can find ways to fund my tour. But what about the 18-year-old chasing her dreams, hoping to become the next Sindhu or Lakshya?
What happens next
Sindhu said accountability is necessary but supporting athletes is an investment in India's sporting future, Sportstar reported. She acknowledged the Government of India and SAI have supported athletes over the years. No date or venue for any funding decision was given in the sources.
Prize money comparison highlighted by Sindhu
Event | Outcome | Amount |
|---|---|---|
Wimbledon | First-round exit | £80,000 |
China Open | Winner | $140,000 |
Badminton tournament | First-round loss | $2,000 |
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