Bad News for India: Badminton Dropped from 2026 Commonwealth Games
India’s hopes for winning medals at the 2026 Commonwealth Games have taken a hit, as badminton has been removed from the event. Glasgow, which is hosting the Games in 2026, has decided to include only 10 sports to reduce costs and make things easier to manage.
This is a big blow for India, as badminton has been one of the country’s strongest sports at the Commonwealth Games. So far, India has won 31 medals in badminton at the Games, including 10 gold, 8 silver, and 13 bronze.
Why Badminton Was Dropped
The organizers of the 2026 Games said they had to reduce the number of sports to keep the event within budget. The event will now feature only 10 sports, like athletics, swimming, boxing, judo, weightlifting, and basketball. Unfortunately, badminton didn’t make the list this time.
Another reason for dropping badminton is that the World Championships are scheduled just two weeks after the Commonwealth Games in 2026. This would have made it difficult for top players to compete in both tournaments.
A Major Setback for India
This decision is a big disappointment for Indian badminton fans. India has been performing really well in the sport recently, with stars like PV Sindhu, Kidambi Srikanth, Lakshya Sen, and the doubles pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty bringing home medals.
At the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, India won medals in several categories and was expected to do even better in 2026. Now, without badminton, India will lose a major chance to win multiple medals.
Lost Opportunities for Young Players
The Commonwealth Games have always been a great platform for young Indian shuttlers to gain experience and make a name for themselves. With badminton being excluded, many upcoming players will miss this opportunity to compete on a big international stage.
How India is Reacting
The Badminton Association of India (BAI) is not happy with this decision and might raise concerns with the organizers. While they understand the need to control costs, they believe removing key sports like badminton will affect the excitement of the Games.
India will now need to focus on other big events like the World Championships and the Asian Games to continue its success in badminton.
A New Commonwealth Games Format
The organizers of the 2026 Games say they are trying to make the event more economical and eco-friendly. By keeping the Games smaller, they hope to avoid spending too much money and reduce environmental impact.
Even though this decision has disappointed Indian fans, the organizers believe these changes are necessary to make the Games more sustainable for the future.
A Tough Loss for India
India has always counted on badminton to win medals at the Commonwealth Games, and the removal of the sport will affect the country’s chances in 2026. While Indian athletes will still compete in other sports, it will be hard to fill the gap left by badminton.
Now, Indian shuttlers will need to focus on other tournaments to keep their momentum going and hope that badminton will return to the Commonwealth Games in the future.