The Badminton Association of India (BAI) has unveiled Rs 9.75 crore annual plans to drive the growth of the sport in the country.
The decision was taken at BAI’s Annual General Body Meeting held in the national capital on Saturday.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who also heads the Badminton Association of India (BAI), stated that the investment signifies a long-term vision to establish India as a global badminton powerhouse.
The federation allocated Rs 73 lakh to offer monthly retainers to Olympians and former international players who are now training players at national camps, and earmarked Rs 2.22 crore as direct rewards for Indian shuttlers who win medals at prestigious global events.
Out of the Rs 9.75 crore that BAI will spend annually for grassroots initiatives and to help state associations conduct domestic tournaments, the total prize pool and grant allocation for national tournaments stands at Rs 3.8 crore.
Under the revised structure, annual grants to state associations have been increased from Rs 7.5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh. BAI will also provide additional support for organising national ranking tournaments across age groups — Rs 3 lakh for U-15 and U-17 events, Rs 2 lakh for Senior and U-19, and Rs 1.5 lakh for U-13.
“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 grant will help them enhance their existing programs,” Sarma said.
The prize money for all domestic competitions has been doubled. Senior national ranking events will now offer 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.
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.
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International excellence will be rewarded with cash prizes: Rs 20 lakh for a World Championship gold medalist, Rs 10 lakh for a BWF Super 1000 title, and Rs 50 lakh for a senior-level team gold.
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.
