Badminton

Paralympic champion Nitesh Kumar has raised concerns over the lack of recognition and administrative support for para badminton within the Badminton Association of India (BAI). Kumar, who won a historic gold medal in the SL3 class at the Paris Paralympics, has called for para badminton to be transferred under the aegis of the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) for the sport's betterment and progress.Kumar expressed his dissatisfaction with BAI's lack of attention to para badminton, despite the significant achievements of para shuttlers. "We have won 21 medals at the Asian Para Games, around 14-15 medals at the World Championships, and 5 medals at the Paralympics, but we don't receive basic appreciation from BAI," Kumar said.He highlighted several administrative issues affecting para shuttlers, including delays, inefficiencies, and logistical problems. "There are significant administrative delays and inefficiencies. Often, only 1 or 2 people manage everything, and it's kind of too much for them, they sometimes miss things," Kumar said.Kumar emphasized the need for a dedicated administration team, clear communication channels, and player involvement in selection procedures. "First and foremost, we need a proper administration team. Currently, all responsibilities often fall on one person, which at times gets overwhelming. With a dedicated team, tasks can be distributed effectively and managed more efficiently," Kumar said.He also raised concerns about the lack of support for para badminton in terms of funding, training facilities, and equipment. "We need more funding for para badminton. We need better training facilities and equipment. We need more coaches and support staff," Kumar said.Kumar's call for the transfer of para badminton to PCI has received support from other para shuttlers and sports enthusiasts. They believe that PCI has a better track record of supporting para sports and can provide the necessary resources and support for the growth and development of para badminton in India.

Indian para-badminton players Nitesh Kumar and Sukant Kadam have secured their spots in the semifinals of the men's singles SL3 and SL4 categories, respectively, at the Paris Paralympics.Nitesh, a silver medalist at the Asian Para Games in 2021, dominated his last group match against Thailand's Mongkhon Bunsun, winning 21-13, 21-14. This victory earned him the top spot in Group A, with Bunsun also qualifying as the second-place finisher.In the SL3 class, which caters to players with severe lower limb disabilities, the top two finishers from each of the two groups advance to the semifinals. Nitesh's compatriot Manoj Sarkar, a bronze medalist at the Tokyo Paralympics, defeated China's Yang Jianyuan 21-1, 21-11 in a match that had no bearing on the semifinals qualification.Sukant Kadam joined his fellow Indian Suhas Yathiraj in the semifinals of the men's singles SL4 class, which is for athletes with lower limb impairments and minor balance issues. Kadam defeated Thailand's Teamarrom Siripong 21-12, 21-12 to top Group B. This was his second consecutive win in the three-player group.In the women's singles SL3 category, Mandeep Kaur advanced to the quarterfinals after defeating Australia's Vinot Celine Aurelie 21-23, 21-10, 21-17. Kaur finished second in Group B, with Nigeria's Bolaji Mariam topping the group and securing a semifinal berth.In mixed doubles, the Indian pair of Suhas Yathiraj and Palak Kohli lost their opening match in the SL3 category to the top-seeded Indonesian duo of Hikmat Ramdani and Leani Ratri Oktila. Nitesh Kumar and Thulasimathi Murugesan also suffered a defeat in the SL3 mixed doubles, losing to the French team of Faustine Noel and Lucas Mazur. However, Nithya Sivan Sumathy and Sivarajan Solaimalai registered a victory in the SL3 mixed doubles, defeating Thailand's Natthapong Meechai and Chai Saeyang.

India's Nitesh Kumar, a 29-year-old IIT Mandi graduate, has secured a spot in the semifinals of the men's singles SL3 group A para badminton competition at the Paris Paralympics. Kumar, who suffered a permanent leg injury in an accident in 2009, displayed exceptional skill and determination in his second match, defeating China's Yang Jianyuan in straight games (21-5, 21-11).Kumar's victory ensures him a top-two finish in the four-man group, with the top two players from each group advancing to the semifinals. He will face Thailand's Bunsun Mongkhon in his final group match.However, Manasi Joshi and Manoj Sarkar's hopes of reaching the semifinals were dashed after they suffered their second consecutive defeats. Joshi, a 2019 World Champion, narrowly lost to Ukraine's Oksana Kozyna (21-10, 15-21, 21-23) in her second women's singles SL3 Group A match. Sarkar, a Tokyo bronze medalist, also faced defeat, losing to Bunsun (19-21, 8-21) in his second Group A match.In the mixed doubles SL3-SU5 group stage, Nitesh Kumar and Thulasimathi Murugesan lost to the Indonesian pair of Ramdani Hikmat and Oktila leani Ratri (15-21, 8-21). Suhas Yathiraj and Palak Kohli also suffered a defeat to France's Lucas Mazur and Faustine Noel (15-21, 9-21) in their second group A mixed doubles match.