‘India opened its heart to the world’: BWF president Patama applauds World Championships hosts
New Delhi, Aug 23 (IANS/WISHAVWARTA) Badminton World Federation (BWF) President Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul praised India’s passionate badminton fans and said the country had ‘opened its heart to the world’ while reflecting on the successful hosting of the BWF World Championships 2026 in the national capital.
Patama highlighted the warmth of the Indian fans and the country’s ability to make the global badminton community feel welcome during the prestigious championships. “I am proud of the fans in India, who know this sport and cheer with real knowledge. And I am proud of a country that opened its heart to the world,” Patama said in an official statement released on Sunday.
The BWF president said the championships, which returned to India after 17 years, had received praise from across the badminton community and credited the host nation for delivering an event worthy of the sport’s biggest stage.
“What a week New Delhi has given us. India waited 17 years for this moment, and India made every year count. The BWF World Championships 2026 have won praise from every corner of our sport,” she said.
Patama praised the Badminton Association of India (BAI), the Government of India, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and the Sports Authority of India for their roles in staging the tournament.
She also acknowledged the contribution of volunteers, technical officials, sponsors and partners, saying much of their work took place away from the spotlight.
“Our volunteers gave countless days with a smile. Our technical officials worked long hours, calm, professional and full of pride. Much of what they did happened far from the cameras, and none of this could have happened without them,” she said.
The BWF chief also praised the facilities and arrangements provided for the players and team officials, stressing that their experience remained the most important measure of a successful championship.
“The players came first, and it showed. Good hotels, reliable transport and facilities that allowed them to prepare in peace. Players and team officials praised our courts, our conditions and everything around them. That matters more than anything,” Patama said.
India also produced memorable performances on court. Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand secured a historic bronze medal in women’s doubles after reaching the semifinals, becoming only the second Indian women’s doubles pair to win a World Championships medal.
In men’s singles, Ayush Shetty stunned defending champion and world No. 1 Shi Yuqi in the opening round, providing another major highlight for the home crowd.
Patama said the tournament’s impact could extend well beyond the results, particularly among the young fans who watched the world’s best players in action.
“Yet beyond the medals and the matches, I will remember the children most. Many of them came to see the finest players in the world. Some held a racket for the first time. One or two may return one day to collect a medal of their own,” she said.
“That is what a great host leaves behind. Not only a tournament, but a beginning. Thank you, India,’ she concluded.
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