Badminton Development Plan: BAI Unveils Ambitious Rs 9.75 Crore Annual Plan

The Badminton Association of India (BAI) has taken a monumental step towards transforming the sport in the country, announcing a groundbreaking Rs 9.75 crore annual plan to drive growth and development. This visionary initiative, unveiled at BAI’s Annual General Body Meeting in the national capital, is set to revolutionize the sport, leveraging the potential of Indian shuttlers and empowering them to conquer the global stage.

Empowering Coaches and Players: A Key Component of the Plan

At the heart of this ambitious plan lies a commitment to nurturing talent and rewarding excellence. The BAI has allocated a substantial Rs 73 lakh to offer monthly retainers to Olympians and former international coaches, now training players at national camps. This move is poised to create a ripple effect, motivating former champions to impart their expertise and guide the next generation of Indian badminton stars.

Additionally, the federation has earmarked a staggering Rs 2.22 crore as direct rewards for Indian shuttlers who win medals at prestigious global events. This bold initiative is designed to incentivize players to strive for international success, fueling their passion and drive to achieve greatness.

Grassroots Development: The Foundation of Success

The BAI’s annual plan is built on a robust foundation of grassroots development, with a significant allocation of Rs 3.8 crore for national tournaments and grants to state associations. This strategic investment will enable state associations to conduct domestic tournaments, fostering a competitive environment that will help identify and nurture emerging talent.

Under the revised structure, annual grants to state associations have been increased from Rs 7.5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh, providing a significant boost to their development initiatives. Furthermore, BAI will offer additional support for organizing national ranking tournaments across age groups, with allocations ranging from Rs 1.5 lakh for U-13 events to Rs 3 lakh for U-15 and U-17 events.

Enhancing Domestic Competition: A Key Driver of Growth

To enhance domestic competition, the BAI has doubled the prize money for national ranking tournaments. Senior national ranking events will now offer a lucrative Rs 10 lakh in prize money, while U-19 events will get Rs 8 lakh, U-15 and U-17 Rs 12 lakh, and U-13 Rs 6 lakh. This significant increase in prize money is expected to attract top talent, foster a competitive environment, and drive the growth of the sport.

The total allocation for all National Championships has jumped from Rs 2.13 crore to Rs 3.2 crore, with the Senior Nationals alone seeing an increase from Rs 75 lakh to Rs 1 crore. This substantial investment will help create a world-class competitive environment, enabling Indian shuttlers to test their mettle against the best and prepare for international glory.

Rewarding Excellence: A Hallmark of the BAI’s Vision

The BAI has also made financial provisions for paying Rs 1 lakh per month to Olympians and Rs 50,000 per month to coaches who have represented the official Indian team in international events and are currently coaching at National Camps held across three locations. This move is a testament to the federation’s commitment to recognizing and rewarding excellence, motivating coaches and players to strive for greatness.

To reward international excellence, the BAI has announced a range of cash prizes, including Rs 20 lakh for a World Championship gold medallist, Rs 10 lakh for a BWF Super 1000 title, and Rs 50 lakh for a team gold at the senior level. Junior team golds will attract Rs 30 lakh, while individual gold medallists at junior World and Asian Championships will receive Rs 15 lakh and Rs 10 lakh respectively.

A Bright Future for Indian Badminton

The BAI’s Rs 9.75 crore annual plan is a beacon of hope for Indian badminton, signaling a new era of growth, development, and excellence. By empowering coaches and players, enhancing domestic competition, and rewarding international success, the federation is poised to unleash a badminton revolution in the country.

As BAI president Himanta Biswa Sarma aptly put it, “The needs of up-and-coming players, motivating them and providing them better financial incentives was critical for the development of the sport and chart out a pathway through which the future course.” With this visionary plan, the BAI has embarkedsuppressing on a journey to redefine the sport, inspiring a generation of Indian shuttlers to conquer the world stage and make the nation proud.

Content originally published by sportstar.thehindu.com