PV Sindhu and Lakshya Sen Self-Fund European Tour After SAI Funding Cut
When I got to know, I was a bit shocked and wondered how the funding hadn’t gone through. I hadn’t faced something like that before,
PV Sindhu said after capturing the Hylo Open title in Saarbrucken, Germany.
India’s leading badminton players, including two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu and Lakshya Sen, had to finance their own campaign across four European tournaments after the Sports Authority of India (SAI) declined to fund the national contingent. The players played four tournaments in Finland, Denmark, France and Germany despite the unexpected financial withdrawal, according to a report by The Indian Express.
The administrative dispute surfaced just before the Arctic Open, which began on October 6, 2026, in Vantaa, Finland. Shuttlers were informed of the funding cut via a WhatsApp message from the Badminton Association of India (BAI). While the national federation arranged accommodation for the opening tournament in Finland, players were forced to cover travel, food, lodging, and support staff expenses for the remainder of the European swing out of their own pockets.
Administrative Deadlines and Performance Disputes Behind the Funding Halt
The national daily cited three anonymous officials who claimed financial support was withheld following India’s performance at the Asian Games 2026 in Nagoya, Japan, where the team secured a single bronze medal in the men’s team event. Sources noted it was the first time since 2014 that India failed to win an individual medal at the continental sporting extravaganza, leading players to suspect a performance penalty.
However, a senior SAI official categorically denied that financial backing was halted due to athletic results. Instead, the official placed blame squarely on the Badminton Association of India, stating that the federation failed to submit formal funding proposals within the mandated 30-day window. Under current guidelines, the national body must supply player lists and tournament projections at least a month in advance to secure government processing. The SAI official confirmed that funding will resume for future tournaments, though athletes will not receive retroactive reimbursements for expenses incurred during the four-week European tour.
Despite the financial friction, Sindhu managed her own costs alongside backing from Olympic Gold Quest. SportsTiger noted that the sudden funding freeze forced several athletes to alter travel plans and compete internationally without dedicated coaching staff in their corners.
SAI FUNDING CUT HITS STAR SHUTTLERS PV Sindhu, Lakshya Sen and several other Indian badminton players reportedly had to pay their own way during the European leg of the BWF World Tour after the Sports Authority of India (SAI) reduced funding, according to sources. The setback… pic.twitter.com/q7VzFni6IC
On-Court Resilience Yields Multiple Titles and Deep Runs
The financial hurdles failed to dampen results on the court, as Indian shuttlers produced notable performances throughout the tour. Sindhu advanced to the final of the French Open before claiming the Hylo Open 2026 women’s singles crown in Germany. Lakshya Sen broke a year-long title drought by capturing the men’s singles trophy at the same tournament.
Other members of the contingent also excelled amid the disruption. Ashmita Chaliha secured an upset victory over world No. 3 Akane Yamaguchi during the French Open, operating without her personal coach while fellow player Isharani Baruah assisted in her corner. Tanvi Sharma reached the quarterfinals in Denmark without coaching guidance, while Anmol Kharb advanced to the semifinals of the Hylo Open.
𝗜𝗡𝗗𝗜𝗔𝗡 𝗕𝗔𝗗𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗢𝗡 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗥𝗦 𝗪𝗜𝗡 𝗧𝗜𝗧𝗟𝗘𝗦, 𝗕𝗨𝗧 𝗪𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗘 𝗜𝗦 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗨𝗣𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧? • PV Sindhu and Lakshya Sen win singles titles at the Hylo Open in Germany. • But Indian shuttlers were left to fund their own European campaign across four tournaments…
Player withdrawals across the four-week circuit varied as the financial strain mounted. While 26 Indian competitors played the Arctic Open in Finland without withdrawals, six players pulled out of the Denmark Open in Odense, seven withdrew from the French Open in Paris, and nine sat out the Hylo Open.
Next Steps for the National Contingent
With the European swing concluded, the players return to domestic training bases ahead of the next phase of the international badminton calendar.
