India Set to Host BWF World Championships, Celebrating Transformation of National Badminton

India is set to host the BWF World Championships in New Delhi from August 17-23, marking a 17-year wait since Hyderabad last staged the event in 2009. This year’s championships hold special significance as they celebrate the transformation of Indian badminton from a largely individual-driven sport to a powerhouse with multiple world-class players.

Seventeen years ago, when Hyderabad hosted the Worlds, Indian badminton revolved around Saina Nehwal. However, the breakthrough came in 2011 when Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa won the women’s doubles bronze, ending a 28-year medal drought for India in the World Championships. This marked the beginning of a new era.

Since then, Indian badminton has achieved numerous milestones. Saina Nehwal became India’s first World Championships silver medallist and the country’s first women’s World No. 1. PV Sindhu elevated the sport further, winning five World Championships medals and becoming India’s first world champion in 2019. Other notable achievements include Kidambi Srikanth reaching World No. 1 in men’s singles, Lakshya Sen winning a bronze, HS Prannoy becoming India’s oldest first-time medallist at 31, and the men’s doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty emerging as one of the world’s best.

The crowning glory came in 2022 when India won the Thomas Cup, becoming only the sixth nation to claim the prestigious title. Statistically, India has won 14 World Championships medals since 2011 and has finished on the podium in every edition from 2011 to 2025, an 11-edition medal streak.

For PV Sindhu, hosting the Worlds in India is deeply meaningful: “Some of my most memorable moments and proudest achievements have come on this stage. Hosting the Worlds after 17 years is a landmark moment and a reflection of how far the sport has come in our country.”

Lakshya Sen believes competing at home brings a different energy: “Indian badminton has grown tremendously over the years, and hosting the Worlds after 17 years is a proud moment for everyone associated with the sport.”

Ayush Shetty, set to make his Worlds debut, sees it as a dream come true: “To make my debut at the Worlds, and to do so when India is hosting the event after 17 years, is incredibly special.”

Ashwini Ponnappa, who featured in the 2009 edition and was part of the historic 2011 bronze, views the event as a reflection of the sport’s evolution: “Badminton in India has grown leaps and bounds since then. It is a massive opportunity for our players and a special occasion for fans.”

HS Prannoy hopes the event inspires a new generation: “I am sure this year’s Worlds will give young players that same incredible experience and make many of them dream of taking up the sport.”

BY THE NUMBERS: - 14 World Championships medals won by India (2011–2025) - 11 Consecutive editions with at least one Indian medal (2011–2025) - 1 World Champion PV Sindhu (2019) – India's first and only world champion. - 3 Indian World No. 1s - Saina Nehwal (Women's Singles) - Kidambi Srikanth (Men's Singles) - Satwiksairaj Rankireddy/Chirag Shetty (Men's Doubles) - 2011 A landmark year for Indian badminton - Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa won women’s doubles bronze, ending India's 28-year wait for a World Championships medal. - 18 YEARS - Sindhu became India's youngest World Championships medallist (Bronze, 2013) - 31 YEARS - HS Prannoy became India's oldest first-time World Championships medallist (Bronze, 2023) -17 YEARS - The World Championships return to India after a 17-year wait From Hyderabad 2009 to New Delhi 2026